97 graduate from supervisor development program

Ninety-seven leaders graduated from the Emerging Supervisor Development Program (ESDP) Sept. 9.

Guest speaker Mr. Jeffrey Allen, executive director of the Air Force Sustainment Center, spoke to the graduates before presenting them individually with certificates.

Mr. Allen talked about the tremendous efforts displayed by the recipients, encouraging them to take what was learned from the program and apply it to their professional careers. Recognizing the fact that not every graduate would immediately fill a first-level supervisory slot, Mr. Allen reminded those 97 members to always remember the opportunities and networks they have been exposed to while at Tinker.

“There’s a little bit of luck, and a whole lot of skills,” Mr. Allen said. “I encourage you to nurture and grow the networks you have developed, and take what you have learned back to the folks you work with. Most importantly, be enthusiastic – it is infectious and will rub off on others in the workplace.”

This was the first year the program has expanded to both Hill and Robins Air Force Bases, which Mr. Allen noted as an exciting progression for the program. ESDP graduates were members from both Air Force Sustainment Center and Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

The ESDP prepares employees who have displayed the highest potential for leadership advancement. In the last six years, 467 members have graduated from the program. At Tinker, more than 200 supervisor roles are held by ESDP graduates.

A highly competitive initiative, ESDP is used to advance first-level supervisors, those who possess technical expertise and have demonstrated leadership capabilities. Completion of the program requires 188 hours of curriculum of formal and experiential training, expanding the knowledge in the ESDP core competencies of communications, diversity, human relations, business management and leadership.