FARGO, N.D. – Forum Communications Co. executives and employees gathered May 23 to celebrate the graduation of the second class of company employees from FCC’s leadership training program known as “Forum Forward.”

Senior managers that attended included FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case, Vice President of the Interactive Media Group Paul Amundson, Vice President for Finance John Hajostek, Vice President for Newspapers Steve McLister, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead General Manager James Boberg and Human Resources Director Kate Freimanis.

The Forum Forward 2011 class was also in attendance, as well as graduates from the Forum Forward 2009 class, who were invited to participate in a innovation think tank project launched May 24.

Each year, FCC employees have the opportunity to apply for Forum Forward leadership program and company executives choose the finalists who undergo a year of site visits, leadership studies and mentoring. Each graduate is assigned a mentor from inside the company, someone who has demonstrated leadership and the ability to help build the skills of employees newer to the company. The members of the class then spend a year traveling to various FCC sites and learning from respected leaders in all aspects of the company’s ventures.

The program was started in 2009 to broaden the leadership skills of the many talented and dedicated employees across Forum Communications Co. and to build the company’s leaders of the next generation.

“This group has spent the past year visiting our various Forum Communication properties and meeting and making contacts. A key component in this program is our mentors, who are assigned at the beginning of the process,” said Sonjia Anderson, Forum Forward coordinator. “Mentors provide guidance, wisdom and can act as a sounding board. It is our hope that the relationships that form here during this year will last over the years.”

Anderson added that the graduation wasn’t the end for this class; it’s only the beginning of their journey, while they continue to keep stretching and challenging themselves to grow both personally as well as professionally.

Forum Forward graduates and their mentors of the class of 2010 include:

- Sue Eider of WDAY (Fargo, N.D.) and her mentor Laura Feldner
- Mandy Erp of Forum Communications Printing-Detroit Lakes (Minn.) and her mentor Rory Palm
- Bonnie Cook of The Pioneer of Bemidji (Minn.) and her mentor Paul Amundson
- Jenelle Stadstad of the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald and her mentor Carol Anhorn
- Diann Drew of the Alexandria (Minn.) Echo Press and her mentor John Hajostek
- Becki LaMar of the River Falls (Wis.) Journal and her mentor Joni Harms
- Kirstent Stromsodt of the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald and her montor Roz Randorf
- Jennifer Porter of FCC’s Information Services (Fargo, N.D.) and her mentor Jody Hanson

Members of the first Forum Forward class in 2009 and their mentors (in parentheses) were: Carmen Wallander (James Boberg), Mary Jo Hotzler (Mark Prather), Kelly Boldan (Dennis Winskowski), Daniel Conner (Steve Mclister), Steve Kidd (Mike Jacobs), Aaron Becher (Steve Messick), John Clites (Dennis Hall) and Jon Louder (Steve Ammerman).

Information regarding the members of the 2011 Forum Forward class is to come.

Forum Forward 2010 graduate Bonnie Cook accepts her certificate from FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case (right). At left is Cook's mentor Vice President of the Interactive Media Group Paul Amundson.

Forum Forward 2010 graduate Diane Drew accepts her certificate from FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case (right). At left is Drew's mentor FCC Vice President for Finance John Hajostek.

Forum Forward 2010 graduate Jennifer Porter accepts her certificate from FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case (right). At left is Porter's mentor Alexandria Echo Press Publisher Jody Hanson.

Forum Forward 2010 graduate Mandy Erp accepts her certificate from FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case (right). At left is Erp's mentor Park Rapids Enterprise Publisher Rory Palm.

Forum Forward 2010 graduate Sue Eider accepts her certificate from FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case (right). At left is Eider's mentor Laura Feldner of Forum Communications Printing.

Forum Forward 2010 graduate Kirsten Stromsodt accepts her certificate from FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case (right). At left is Stromsodt's mentor Duluth News Tribune Sales Director Roz Randorf.

Forum Forward 2010 graduate Janelle Stadstad accepts her certificate from FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case (right). At left is Stadstad's mentor WDAY General Sales Manager Carol Anhorn.

Forum Forward 2010 graduate Becki LaMar accepts her certificate from FCC President and CEO Lloyd Case (right). At left is LaMar's mentor Worthington (Minn.) Daily Globe Publisher Joni Harms.