Journey to Leadership students graduate at Rock Island Arsenal

U.S. Army Sustainment Command
Story by Linda Lambiotte

Date: 06.12.2019
Posted: 06.12.2019 10:27
News ID: 326894
Journey to Leadership students graduate at Rock Island Arsenal

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – The U.S. Army Sustainment Command hosted a graduation ceremony for 28 employees who completed in the Journey to Leadership program, here, June 6.

The JTL program was created by ASC to select and develop high-potential individuals ready to fill future leadership positions.

JTL helps participants identify their strengths and build on their weaknesses through opportunities and exposure to other organizations.

“I am a very introverted person, I was really uncomfortable and not looking forward to being there,” said Paul Howard, industrial specialist, Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, “but thanks to the class and to the instructors, who were all very welcoming and encouraging, my confidence has built up so much. I am so glad I stayed.”

“I got a lot more out of it than I anticipated,” said Megan Schumacher, division chief, production engineering, RIA-JMTC, “I learned a lot about other commands, their problems, and about what they do.”

Other participants said they are pleased with how the program has helped them learn more about themselves and created “windows of opportunities” for them to benefit from in the future, such as building long-lasting relationships.

“I found a home here, I belong here. You have made an investment in me,” said William Bravo, logistics management specialist, ASC Logistics Readiness Center – Picatinny, 404th Army Field Support Brigade, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.

“I have benefitted from this program, and I owe you. I am going to give you everything that I’ve got, that’s just how it’s going to be,” he said.

Michael Hutchison, deputy to the commanding general, ASC, presided at the ceremony and emphasized ASC’s commitment to the JTL program.

“Rest assured, the investment in the program will continue,” he said. “ASC is committed to keep the program going; next year we are going to do JTL Tier I and II.”

In his closing remarks, Hutchison addressed all the graduates.

“Congratulations on being finished. I know it has been a lot of work but don’t stop, I encourage you to look into more leadership programs, don’t get stagnant in what you do, always keep looking for developmental opportunities,” he said.

Hutchison emphasized the importance of leaders maintaining high standards for integrity, regardless of the circumstances and the discomfort that may come from certain situations.

“Jealously guard your integrity ¬– people need to be able to count on you and know that you are going to always say and do the right thing,” he said.

Hutchison also challenged the graduates to apply what they learned going forward.

“As you move into a leadership position, remember, it’s not about you, it’s about the team,” he said. “In the end, in terms of leadership, it is all about furthering the interest of the Army.”


The graduates were:

Erica Alexander, U.S. Joint Munitions Command, Rock Island, Illinois.

Stephanie Allers, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Neko Beserra, U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Illinois.

William Bravo, ASC, Logistics Readiness Center – Picatinny, 404th Army Field Support Brigade, Picatinny, Arsenal, New Jersey.

Fred Dunlap, ASC, 406th AFSB, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Ermie Jane Garciga, U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Marta Iris Garner, ASC, LRC-Rock Island, 404th AFSB, Rock Island, Illinois.

Tom Green, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center, Rock Island, Illinois.

Belynda Hartley, ASC, LRC – Honshu, 403rd AFSB, Camp Zama, Japan.

Linda Heuer, ASC, LRC – Hood, 407th AFSB, Fort Hood, Texas.

Kpakpo Hounzouke-Akue, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Paul Howard, Rock Island Arsenal – Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, Rock Island, Illinois.

Amber Kilgard, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Tyler Lack, JMC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Patrick Larson, ASC, LRC – Bavaria, 405th AFSB, Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Chan Lee, ASC, LRC – Stuttgart, 405th AFSB, Stuttgart, Germany.

Troy Long, ASC, LRC – Huachuca, 407th AFSB, Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Ascension Mares, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Misty Mills, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Zachary Norris, JMC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Nicholas Osterhaus, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.

John Osterholm, ASC, LRC – Joint Base Lewis – McChord, 404th AFSB, JBLM, Washington.

Jose Perez-Rodriguez, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Cheryl Powell, ASC, LRC – Knox, 407th AFSB, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Cory Rauch, CCDC, Chemical Biological Center, Rock Island, Illinois.

Megan Schumacher, RIA-JMTC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Barbara Sennet, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.

Eric Vasquez, ASC, 405th AFSBn, Vilseck, Germany.

James Wilson, ASC, Rock Island, Illinois.