Twenty-nine Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic (MIDLANT) members were publicly recognized and congratulated, Sept. 23, for successfully completing the 2016 NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Emerging Leadership Program (ELP) at Naval Station Norfolk.

Capt. Dean VanderLey, NAVFAC MIDLANT commanding officer, presented a certificate to each of the 2016 Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic Emerging Leadership Program graduates. Capt. Eric M. Aaby, executive officer, assisted with the presentation. Mr. Rick Roth, business director, was on hand to provide closing remarks and well-wishes.

The ELP began at NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic in 2010 and was designed to help motivated employees take the next step in their careers. The program features three one-week sessions held at the command's headquarters, with the students performing various individual assignments at their duty locations to complete the rest of the program as part of the learning process. Overall, it is a tailored, six-month NAVFAC leadership program designed to develop and improve management and leadership skills for GS-11 and Federal Wage Grade equivalent and below civilians. This class included employees from Norfolk to Newport, Road Island on the direct east coast, in addition to employees from Great Lakes, Illinois; Crane, Indiana; and Pennsylvania.

Linda Wilkinson, human resources specialist with the NAVFAC Atlantic workforce development office, explained that the program is designed to develop and improve management and leadership competencies of those selected.

"I have enjoyed my work with the ELP this year and I am so proud of the graduates," she said. "They have experienced personal and professional growth during the program, contributing new found leadership skills in support of the warfighter."

D Group Consulting Services, Inc., of Jacksonville, Florida, designed the comprehensive curriculum to feature how to deal with leadership challenges such as taking on new, unfamiliar jobs; emotional intelligence; communicating effectively; building trust; coaching and mentoring; and thinking strategically among other topics.

Mark J. Bailey, an electrical engineering technician at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, who's been with NAVFAC 31 years said, "With the right tools there is nothing we can't accomplish and this class gave us those tools."

Paul G. Cabral, a mechanical engineering technician at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, who has been with NAVFAC for 14 years, had high praise for the program.

"This experience has been one of the highlights in my working career. Aside from the invaluable information that I have gained from this course, more importantly, I have gained new friendships and learned much about myself," Cabral said. "I recommend this course to anyone who wants to venture out of their comfort zone and leap into the next level of their careers. I certainly am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and to work for a great organization."

Michele Stewart, administrative support assistant at NAVFAC MIDLANT Public Works Department Norfolk, who has 15 years with NAVFAC after beginning her career as a NAVFAC co-op student, explained what she took away from the course.

"Remember the difference between a boss and a leader. A boss will say 'Go' and a leader will say 'Let's go!'"

The 2017 Emerging Leadership Program will begin May 1, 2017. The announcement and instructions for application will be available on February 1, 2017. Contact Linda Wilkinson at linda.h.wilkinson@navy.mil or (757) 341-1447 for more information.

NAVFAC delivers and maintains quality, sustainable facilities, acquires and manages capabilities for the Navy's expeditionary combat forces, provides contingency engineering response, and enables energy security and environmental stewardship. Additional updates and information about NAVFAC can be found on social media sites Facebook and Twitter. Become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/navfac and follow us at http://www.twitter.com/navfac.

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