The Messenger 02.09.09

Pat Fligor and Al Oliver, both of Obion County, are among 29 members of the 2009 WestStar class.
WestStar was created in 1989 at the University of Tennessee at Martin to serve the multi-county area by providing leadership development and training. Representing 15 counties in the 21-county region, class members have a diverse range of occupations and volunteer leadership experiences.
Ms. Fligor is director of business development for the Obion County Joint Economic Development Council in Union City.
She currently serves as a board member for Main Street Union City Inc. and is a member of the Leadership Obion County advisory board and the West Tennessee Retail Alliance. She is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

“One critical issue in West Tennessee is the ‘brown fields’ in communities. This describes the old buildings that are an eyesore for the community and have deterred development in the counties,” Ms. Fligor said.
“My participation in WestStar will expand my network of professional contacts and develop friendships with those who have similar goals. I hope to experience the challenges that are affecting West Tennessee and learn additional leadership skills that will help to motive people in authority to take action regarding those challenges in the region.”
Oliver is the executive vice president of Westan Insurance Group in Union City. He has previously served on the board of directors of the Insurers of Tennessee as young agents chair in 1997.
In addition, he is very active in his community and organizations. He is a Rotarian and serves on the Union City Board of Zoning Appeals and the advisory board of the Commercial Bank and Trust, as well as the Obion County Chamber of Commerce. He is past president of Poplar Meadows Country Club and has been a Jaycee.
He is co-founder of the annual Push for St. Jude Fund Raiser staged at UT Martin, served as drive chairman in 1993 for the United Way and currently serves on the Bill and Carol Latimer Charitable Foundation.
“The most critical issue in West Tennessee is the importance of economic development in the region. My participation in WestStar will enable education of leadership skills to bring people from surrounding areas together,” Oliver said.