PEAK Leadership, a community leadership program open to residents of Clallam and Jefferson counties, has announced two regional-impact small-group projects to be undertaken by the 2010-2011 PEAK Leadership class.

One group will focus on the development of a regional small-business economic emergency preparedness plan, submitted by the Peninsula Development District.

A second will focus on a regional health care assessment submitted by Olympic Medical Center to answer the who, what and why of recruiting and retaining physicians on the North Olympic Peninsula.

For 2010-2011, the Small Group on Regional Small Business Economic Emergency Preparedness will include PEAK participants Kathleen Haney, Clallam Bay, homemaker and co-owner of Eklektas Interior Design, Market Place & Learning Center; Ellen Matheny, Forks, education outreach for the Olympic Natural Resources Center; Nate Holmes, Port Townsend, city of Port Townsend police officer; and Kevin Short, Chimacum, farm beef sales manager, Short’s Family Farm.

The PEAK Small Group on Physician Recruitment will include Pat Bello, Neah Bay, Makah Community Health representative; Jaya Banwell, Port Townsend, Local 2020 community action volunteer; Susan Hillgren, Port Angeles, founder and executive director of The Answer for Youth Drop-in Center; and Dr. Robert Whipple, Agnew, assistant professor, California State University – Dominguez Hills.

PEAK Leadership seeks to foster purposeful and effective leaders. In addition to the small-group projects, PEAK participants attend a series of 10 monthly seminars, held at different locations in Clallam and Jefferson counties and featuring established community leaders.

PEAK Leadership is a state and federally recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit http://peak leadershipnw.net or e-mail info@peakleadershipnw.net.