A cadre of 29 Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) employees is set to receive graduation certificates signed by NAVFAC Executive Director, Jen LaTorre, after completing a two-year leadership development program (LDP).

The NAVFAC LDP is comprised of three progressive levels designed to increase the leadership competency of participants at various stages of their career. The developmental plan for each LDP program level includes a 360-competency assessment, training sessions, rotational assignments, projects, mentoring assignments, leadership interviews and other activities designed to expand corporate perspective.

"The knowledge, experiences and network connections I have gained through the LDP are invaluable," said recent level-one graduate, Dayna Fujimoto, who is an environmental engineer at NAVFAC Hawaii.

A key component of LDP level two involves rotational assignments at NAVFAC Headquarters and the echelon III and IV commands.

"LDP will shape your future away from seeking promotions and positions to seeking out opportunities to lead," said Mark Melsen of NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, who completed level two of the program.

The LDP level three, which includes rotational assignments at NAVFAC Headquarters and outside the cadre member's career field, is for senior employees and focuses on gaining a broad leadership perspective and appreciation of corporate management issues.

"Being an effective leader is not something we can learn from a book, but through hands-on experience and good mentors," said Jee Eun Blanton, who works in acquisition client operations at NAVFAC Headquarters.

All levels of the LDP are based on the workforce development framework and focus on progressive development toward achieving the executive core qualifications of "Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen, and Building Coalitions."

The LDP provides a unique opportunity for NAVFAC employees to stretch their capabilities, operate outside their areas of expertise, and develop long-lasting networks with other NAVFAC professionals.

"Congratulations to the 2016 LDP cadre for their participation in the program and the contributions they have made to NAVFAC," said Sally Heisler, executive director of NAVFAC's Naval Facilities Institute, which implements the program.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

To learn more about the NAVFAC LDP, visit http://hub.navfac.navy.mil/go/NAVFAC_LDP.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.