By JONI TRUEX
KLA Public Information Director

KOSCIUSKO — The Kosciusko Leadership Academy kick-off tour for the 2015/2016 year started at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for an introduction to KLA by Moderator Allyn Decker, history of KLA by Advisor Dr. Steven Grill and Advisor Emeritus and Founder Jean Northernor.

Following the introductory session, the cadets walked to MudLove for a tour. Mud Love was started with the premise to not only be an entrepreneur but to deny oneself in the process. This is evidenced by the allocation of 20 percent of the profits to providing clean drinking water in the Central African Republic and to fundraising for adoptions. The company has also discovered a creative way to allow stay at home parents to earn extra income by tying the bands for the bracelets.

The Cadets then boarded a Grace College bus, which was graciously donated to KLA for the day’s tour of Kosciusko County. The next stop was at the fourth largest airport in the state of Indiana, the City of Warsaw Airport. The runway expansion under consideration is for the safety and benefit of the public, as the winds created when jets take off literally move vehicles on the road.

Tour stops included Precision Medical Technologies, where customers bring drawings or product needs for designing and manufacturing; lunch on the Dixie Boat while enjoying lunches from Pizza King; Cool Beans for a coffee break; and Maple Leaf corporate offices. The various stops provided an opportunity to learn about various industries and companies operating in Kosciusko County.

New on the tour this year was Polywood Inc., the originator of recycled products. Polywood creates and manufactures heavy, well made, high quality furnishings. According to their website they “have expanded our product lines to include additional adirondack styles as well as dining, lounges, deep seating, benches and swings. Our goal is to deliver a quality product our customers want in a timely fashion. To achieve this vision, we developed state-of-the-art technology and lean manufacturing processes that have minimized our waste stream and ensured our products are built quickly and accurately. Our products are assembled, packaged and delivered all within days of receiving an order, satisfying the customer while saving warehouse space.”

The board members, advisors, founder and cadets wish to thank Grace College, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, MudLove, City of Warsaw Airport, Precision Medical Technologies, Dixie Boat, Pizza King, North Webster, Polywood Inc., Cool Beans and Maple Leaf for all of their efforts in making this kick off day a success.

The next KLA session will be held on Sept. 8 at the Wawasee Area Conservancy, Syracuse, to learn about Protecting our Water Resources.

KLA is a not for profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through white paper projects.