Dale Wagner, vice president and director of finance and administration for Alliance Water Resources, recently graduated from the Leadership Missouri program sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Thirty-four qualified candidates completed the 2006 Leadership Missouri program.

Leadership Missouri is a seven-month intensive course designed to help business, government, and civic leaders better understand the operations of Missouri business and government, as well as the goals of the state\'s elected and appointed officials. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt serves as the Honorary Chair of the Leadership Missouri program.

Program sessions began in April with a trip to the Missouri state capitol in Jefferson City. Consecutive sessions were held each month in St. Joseph, Warrensburg, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Joplin. The program ended with graduation ceremonies held at the Lodge of Four Season in Lake Ozark.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, founded in 1923, is the largest statewide business organization in Missouri, representing almost 3,000 members. Its main purpose is to preserve a positive business climate for the state of Missouri. The Chamber is actively engaged in public affairs issues affecting business.