Richmond, Va. –
April 18 - 20 marks the second annual Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Leadership Academy, held at the Frank B. Lotts Conference Center on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. The academy is a training course designed for employees in non-supervisory paygrades GS 11-13 aspiring to move into leadership positions.
DLA Aviation Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Sean Tyler kicked off the three-day event by delivering opening remarks, asking the audience why they would want to be a supervisor.
“We need you,” Tyler said.” Ultimately, it’s about taking care of your people and allowing them to do the mission.”
James Woods, inventory management specialist within DLA Aviation’s Planning Programs Directorate, said attending the academy made an impact on how he plans to move forward by leading others effectively.
“This training course will personally help me to have an effective team, going from a member of a team to leading a team. You must know the people you’re in charge of. A good way to do that is to begin by talking with individuals to see where they are, what their personal goals are, and guide them in the right direction,” said Woods.
Woods is among 150 Aviation employees who joined the training in-person.
Trinace Johnson and Pamela Frederick, both program analysts within the Command Support Directorate, began hosting the event last year and grew the program into what it is today.
“We hope that the program will give attendees some clarification and help them in making the difficult decision as to whether or not they want to move into a supervisory/leadership role,” Frederick said. “The workforce has shown a major interest in attending this event, so much so that we had to re-open the registration twice in order to accommodate those requesting to take part in the training.”
Those who attended the three-day course heard from leadership on topics such as leadership and coaching, resilience fundamental, labor and employee relations, transitioning from peer to supervisor, ethics, sexual assault prevention and response, equal employment opportunity; reasonable accommodation and EEO process for leaders, employment assistance program, and professional development opportunities.
The final courses highlighted a senior leader mentoring panel where employees heard from Tanya Hill, DLA Aviation’s chief of staff, Floyd Moore, director of DLA Aviation’s Engineering Directorate, Julia Roquemore, deputy director of DLA Aviation’s Supplier Operations Commodities Directorate and Adam Hardee, chief of the Industrial Analysis Support Branch of DLA Aviation’s Business Process Support Directorate.