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Leadership Blount, in partnership with Maryville College's Center for Strong Communities, is spotlighting the national economic crisis at its 6th Annual Leadership Summit.

Entitled "Finding the Silver Lining in an Economic Storm," the summit is scheduled April 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Maryville.

The program will feature U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp as its luncheon keynote speaker. Wamp, R-Tenn., has represented the 3rd Congressional district in East Tennessee for the past 14 years. He is also a candidate for governor in 2010.

For the past 11 years Wamp has served on the House Appropriations Committee, which provides funding for national defense, education, homeland security, crime and general government operations. He is the top ranking Republican for the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, and the Energy and Water Subcommittee.

A general breakfast session on the short- and long-term financial outlook of the economy will feature Dr. Bill Fox, director of the Center for Business & Economic Research at the University of Tennessee. Plenary sessions will focus on business and industry, social services, health care access and retention and tourism.

All events are free, but attendance is limited to 200 participants. To attend, please contact the Leadership Blount office at 984-9368 by 5 p.m. April 10. Registration forms can also be found on the Leadership Blount Web site at www.leadershipblount.com under "Special Events."