Fifteen U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District employees graduated from the 2023 Supervisory Training Program in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 13. The program is designed to prepare these supervisors to succeed in their roles, to be effective leaders, and to help them build a “Community of Practice” to work together through issues.
Deputy Operations Manager and this year’s Bureau Chairperson Tommy Mason explained the curriculum. “This program dives deep into Personnel Management and the Role of the Supervisor. These tools will help them on a day-to-day basis while managing their programs and leading their teams.”
The nine-month program covered a range of topics including personnel management, the role of the supervisor, budgeting, project management and the hiring process.
Cody Flatt, chief of the Programs Management Section, summarized his takeaways from the program. “The most positive has been getting to meet the Supervisory Training Program bureau members, learning what they do and understanding situations they have been in. Secondly, hearing about all the different offices of the Nashville District, and how they function, communicate and work, and being able to understand that and pass that information down to our teams and champion them. Lastly, being around the senior leaders and hearing their stories. How they came up, what they do, and opening that line of communication to them.”
Jody Robinson, chief of Quality Assurance, explained how the program was beneficial. “Learning the supervisory aspect over all the programs, from human resources to timesheets and managing employees’ information, were all things the program touched on and gave us all good takeaways.”
Robinson said that the program has given him excellent opportunities to meet and develop relationships with all the new supervisors. “It’s great to have direct engagement with members of the corporate board and to learn from them how problems are solved within the district.”
William Worrall, chief of the Technical Services Branch, explained his newfound appreciation of being a team leader. “This program gave me a lot more tools to be a team leader. People look to their supervisors to answer questions and to give direction, and this program gave me a lot more confidence to be able to do that.”
Stephanie Coleman, Equal Employment Opportunity manager and STP Bureau Member since 2020, expounded on the importance of networking. “There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you need them to change your life or you’re the one that will change theirs. Lean on each other!”
She continued “We have often said of this program that it is not another leadership development program. It is truly focused on training supervisors in those needed areas beyond leading people. The networking aspect of it is key to forming relationships with other supervisors to ensure we aren’t operating solo in an organization where we are all critical pieces of a puzzle.”
The Supervisor Training Program is one of many professional development programs the Corps of Engineers offers employees to foster prominent leadership and problem-solving skills within the organization. Those with interest in the program should consult with their Chain of Command.
Class graduates are: Michael Christianson - lockmaster, Cheatham Lock; Justin Gray - lockmaster, Pickwick Lock; Jody Robinson – chief Quality Assurance; Faron Bean – chief, Electrical Design Section;, Paul Weaver – lockmaster, Nickajack Lock; Adam Walker – chief, Design Branch; Karli Pabian – supervisory engineer (Civil); Zach Langel – chief, Civil Site and Survey Section; Tennese Henderson – supervisory electrical engineer; Trey Church – chief, Operations Section; Cody Flatt - chief, Programs; John Brewington – lockmaster, Old Hickory Lock; William Worrall – chief, Technical Services Branch; David Maxwell – Chief, Planning and Acquisition Branch; and David Tamakloe – [former] chief, Internal Review Office.