EAGLE Class graduation recognizes the district’s newest leaders

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District
Story by Amy Redmond

Date: 11.01.2012
Posted: 11.02.2012 16:23
News ID: 97203
EAGLE Class graduation recognizes the district’s newest leaders

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville Districts celebrated the graduation of 16 students for its 2012 Employee Achieving Greatness and Leadership Excellence (EAGLE) class today at the Jack C. Massey Business Center at Belmont University.

The ceremony culminated this seven-month leadership development training program that included college lectures at Belmont University, site visits to district projects, on-the-job training and two community service projects.

Presenting each graduate with a diploma, Maj. Patrick Dagon, deputy commander for the Nashville District, encouraged the graduates to continue to build upon the leadership skills to become the great upcoming leaders within the district.

“As your wrap up this training, I really challenge you to continue to improve yourself in the future and continue to rise to those leadership positions,” said Dagon. “I congratulate you and wish you all the best of luck in your future.”

The graduation event also included speeches from each student on their personal experience they took away from the program.

Reflecting on his experience, Brent Sewell, natural resource specialist at Martins Fork Lake, said the EAGLE program was very fulfilling both personally and professionally, especially when the class completed service projects that benefited the local community and visitors to corps lake projects.

“I learned a great deal about myself personally and how to interact with my team members to effectively complete any mission assigned to us,” said Sewell.

Another graduate, Chris Stoltz, environmental engineer, said the EAGLE program was a fantastic opportunity that expanded his comfort zone in real business situations.

“An area that I am uncomfortable with is speaking in front of others and public speaking,” said Stoltz. “When we went through our media training, it was challenging yet rewarding at the same time because, it forced me outside of my comfort zone and I had to react quickly on my feet.”

Explaining that the program not only provides graduates with key leadership skills that will help them throughout their career, it also creates lasting friendships and working relationships with employees across the district that would most likely not have been made through day-to-day work interactions, said Amanda Rutherford, accountant and 2012 Eagle Class coordinator.

“Whether it be in the field or in the district office, they will have those close knit relationships and friends built over the course of the program that they can call at any time,” said Rutherford.

Graduates of the class include: Christopher Vega, contract inspector; Jeffrey Fallin, maintenance engineer; Christopher Meeks, senior electrician; Jane Harris, engineering technician; Charles Leath, environmental protection specialist; Ramune Morales, project planning manager; Brent Sewell, natural resource specialist; Natalie Haley, accountant; Kara Beverly, regulatory specialist; Lori Neubert, administrative assistant; Christopher Stoltz, environmental engineer; Paul Drinkard, electrician; Arnette Hardage, accountant; Tyler Matthews, natural resource specialist; Dustin Russell, electronic engineer; and Terrance Farrow, mechanic trainee.

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