Photo By Krishna Jackson | 150225-N-RP435-076 SAN DIEGO (Feb. 25, 2015) Rear Adm. Christian "Boris" Becker,...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO - Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) and the Office of Civilian Human Resources (OCHR) hosted a two-day leadership development conference Feb. 24 and 25, 2015.
The Department of the Navy Leadership and Career Development Symposium featured senior military and civilian guest speakers sharing their experiences with management-level government civilian employees as part of continued leadership development.
Featured military leaders included Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander, Naval Air Force/commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet; Rear Adm. Patrick J. Lorge, commander, Navy Region Southwest; Rear Adm. Fernandez "Frank" Ponds, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3/Amphibious Group 3; Rear Adm. Christian "Boris" Becker, program executive office (PEO) for C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) and PEO Space Systems.
The commanders discussed their priorities during individual speaking engagements and panel sessions. Lorge discussed one of his priorities; increasing cyber security defense including cyber security initiatives for shore installations.
"We are working hard to mitigate risks from growing cyber security threats. Everyone has heard about the cyber attacks on Target and Sony, and the military's cyber systems are under attack all the time," said Lorge as he explained how the Navy's latest cyber initiatives will help increase cyber security defense through systems with limited entry points for hackers to exploit.
Cyber security is relevant to leadership development, because much of the communication government employees conduct is via a computer attached to a network. Protecting that data is vital to national security.
Senior civilian government and Senior Executive Service (SES) leaders also participated in multiple speaking sessions including plenary, breakout, panel and mentoring sessions. Speakers included Tony Torres-Ramos, director, Office of Civilian Human Resources; Patrick Sullivan, executive director, SPAWAR, Rob Wolborsky, executive director, Fleet Readiness Directorate and Amy Weisman, counsel, SPAWAR.
"Have the courage to say yes," said Torres-Ramos to the audience of more than 200 attendees. "I got where I am today by having the courage to take on whatever task was asked of me. You have to be diverse in your career path to make it to the executive level. That is what is expected of a leader," he said.
The Skyline ballroom at Admiral Kidd Catering and Conference Center was standing room only for the morning sessions and many attendees took notes, trying to capture the advice and information these very senior and experienced leaders offered. During the afternoon sessions, the guests broke into groups to attend breakout sessions and one on one SES mentoring sessions.
The last session included a panel of senior military and civilian government leaders sharing their expectations and advice with the audience before taking questions. The panel included Ponds, Becker, Rear Adm. James McNeal, Weisman and Wolborsky. During closing remarks, Sullivan, who acted as moderator, asked attendees if they learned a lot over the past two days. Not only did many answer yes, but the room erupted in loud applause indicating a very successful event for these Navy leaders.
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2015 16:53 |
| Story ID: | 155599 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO , CA, US |
| Web Views: | 767 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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