NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville District Commander Lt. Col. James A. DeLapp conferred certificates of completion today to graduates of the Leadership Development Program during a ceremony at the Belmont University Massey Business Center.
The graduates were Linda Adcock, Rob Baulsir, Dave Bishop, Gary Bruce, Amanda Burt, Mike Callahan, Jim Carter, Stanley Carter, Jamie James, Kayl Kite, Lissa Maxwell and Dave Robinson.
The Nashville District partners with Belmont University during the 12-month program to systematically develop leadership and management skills of the district’s current and future leaders and managers. The commitment of the commander and district executives to leadership and management development is reflected in the direct involvement of these leaders in many components of the program.
“LDP is really a key piece in developing our future workforce and identifying folks in our organization that will lead this organization into the future,” said DeLapp during the ceremony. “In addition it provides great value back to the district and is money and time well spent to get that value back into the organization.”
The program is not designed to be an easy and has specific requirements that need to be met and understood by the applicant prior to beginning the stringent curriculum. Participants must be in a career employee status and only those with a minimum of five years of Federal service are eligible.
Interested employees submit a six-page application and resume through supervisory channels with supervisor’s endorsement. Candidates must demonstrate ability and potential to lead, interest in participation, and commitment to the program.
“It was a great learning experience, not only the course work, but more so getting to know different aspects of the Corps in general,” said Park Ranger Gary Bruce from Center Hill Lake. “It provided excellent team-building, basically an opportunity to bridge the gap.”
Students participate in the program part time in conjunction with normal job activities that include graduate level leadership courses with Belmont University, attend district meetings and special events, visit field projects and private industry, participate in public service and community service projects, and prepare and present a team project.
“It was a great experience. I really enjoyed the time spent over this last year,” said Park Ranger Stanley Carter from Dale Hollow Lake. “It was ‘self discovery’ for me. You get to understand yourself more or better than you did before you started.”
This is the 14th year with Belmont University since the program began in 1998.
Belmont University taught courses in change cycle, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, presentation and communication, negotiations, management skills, systems alignment, and leadership.
The class took on several team projects, including recommending a plan for more efficient utilization of government vehicles, and development of a video and materials to identify and promote how the Nashville Districts bring value to the nation and to customers.
Students also participated in Corps classes including Corps 101 and budget cycle; regulatory overview; civilian education systems, quality management system, and financial wellness. They also spent time touring Wilson, Wheeler and Old Hickory Locks.
To learn from the corporate world, they visited the Nashville Airport, Pal’s Sudden Service (a fast food chain), and CAT Financial.
Finally, they also participated in volunteer projects with at a Wounded Warriors Project event, and joined a shoreline cleanup at Center Hill Lake as part of National Public Lands Day activities.
(Leon Roberts contributed to this story)