This study examined how a group of community college presidents and board of trustee chairpersons from New York and Florida viewed the competencies, characteristics, and professional skills identified by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) (2005) as important for effective community college leadership. In addition, the presidents were asked to identify those activities and experiences that they found helpful in developing the AACC leadership competencies. The results from this study suggest that community college presidents and board of trustee chairpersons converge in their views of the AACC leadership competencies. Their views reveal high expectations for community college presidents and highlight experiences related to the development of these competencies. Practice implications for hiring and developing community college leaders are offered. (Contains 3 tables.)