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Altus Airmen selected for Executive Leadership Development Program

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Department of Defense selected Maj. Max Bremer, 97th Training Squadron, and Maj. Michele LoBianco, 97th Operations Support Squadron, for the executive leadership development program.

The 10-month program takes participants to a variety of locations both in the United States and overseas to experience and appreciate the role of the "Warfighter" by participating in intensive "hands-on" field experience. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to hear from a number of distinguished panel members during seminars at both Georgetown University and the Defense Executive Institute.

Both Major Bremer and Major LoBianco said they are looking forward to the participating in the program.

"I am honored to have been selected. This is a unique opportunity to work with a diverse group of future leaders. I am excited for the program to begin. The Executive Leadership Development Program provides participants with extensive exposure to the roles and missions of the entire Department of Defense," said Major LoBianco.

"I am much more interested in what I can put into the program than what I can get out of it, but I expect to gain valuable experience interacting with others outside my career field," Major Bremer said. "From others I have talked to about this program, I expect to make lifelong friendships and build long-standing professional relationships. This is little-known, but critical, program for developing future executive-level leaders."

Each class consists of approximately 55 participants. Nominees must be identified as high-potential employees with a history of superior performance, have a commitment to the Department of Defense with an intention to pursue a DoD career, and demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a team member among other qualifications.

A typical September -- June ELDP program includes two days of orientation in the Washington, D.C. area, two weeks of core-curriculum training covering areas such as team building, problem solving, decision-making, and communication skills, and one week deployments each month from December-June to forward-deployed locations, such as Korea and Europe to visit different types of military facilities and bases.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to work side by side with current and future civilian, other governmental agencies and sister service leaders," Major LoBianco said." This program is designed to bring members of the DoD together and provide the opportunity to learn about various service roles, missions, capabilities and traditions. By the end of the 10 months I think I will have a better understanding and appreciation of the entire DoD and the vast amount of teamwork this organization requires,"

Col. Ty Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, said he is proud of both Major LoBianco and Bremer for their selection into the program.

"We're very proud of both Major Bremer and Major LoBianco," Colonel Thomas said. "ELDP is an incredibly competitive program, and for one wing to have two selectees, well, I've never heard of that happening before. They will both become even better leaders for having participated in ELDP."