10th CONS civilian to attend management course

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kenny Bellard
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Leadership training is not just for uniformed Airmen -- it's part and parcel of the career path for most federal civilians as well.

Alex Kephart, a 10th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist here will attend the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program this year in Southbridge, Mass.

He'll fly to and from Southbridge to attend the course, held once a week over nine months.

"Essentially, this course will advance my career by preparing me to move into leadership positions at the contract squadron by teaching me a higher level of management skills," he said. "It's designed to enable the Defense Department to focus on leadership development at the entry level for the civilian workforce."

Mr. Kephart has been a contracting specialist here for more than four years. Specifically, he's part of the Simplified Acquisition Base Engineer Requirements program, or "SABER," where he finds contractors for Academy projects not yet fully designed.

The 10th CONS director, James Berns, said Mr. Kephart was a "natural leader" and a "great choice for the program."

"We're looking forward to sharing this leadership development opportunity with Alex," he said.

Mr. Kephart said it's an honor to be among the 110 selected for the program.

"I'd like to thank my leadership for their strong endorsement of my leadership potential," he said. "The best advice I can give anyone interested in attending the various DOD leadership programs would be to believe in yourself and go for it."