More than 200 graduates from NAVAIR’s Leadership Development Program (NLDP) and Journey Leadership Development Program (JLDP) were recognized at a ceremony held March 20, 2025.

“The skills you have learned have prepared you to lead and mentor your teams successfully,” said Tom Rudowsky, Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR) deputy commander, addressing the graduates. “They have set you on a path of self-assessing, self-correcting and leading your teams to focus on what matters most — delivering the capability the fleet needs to deter, fight, win and return home safely. Your time in JLDP or NLDP has taught you that great people are shaped by great leaders to become great teams.”

NLDP is a three-year program that provides training and educational opportunities to promote personal and professional growth for mid- to senior-level civilians, sailors and Marines who have demonstrated leadership ability. The program includes required courses and seminars, shadowing opportunities and developmental assignments.

NLDP graduate Jim Wojciechowski, level 1 integrated program team lead, In-Service Aircraft, H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program (PMA-261), Patuxent River, said the program was an opportunity to learn from experienced leaders, collaborate with his peers and challenge himself in new ways.

“Through participation in NLDP, I expected to enhance my leadership skills, gain new perspectives, close leadership gaps and further develop my abilities to lead with confidence and impact,” he said. “The program delivered on all my expectations.”

Annie Hutson, director of business operations for Air Wing Interoperability and Integration Electronic Warfare Effects Group, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in Point Mugu, applied to the NLDP because she wanted to refine her leadership skills, expand her network and gain insights into high-level decision-making.

“The program provided an opportunity to learn from experienced leaders and develop strategies to enhance business operations,” she said. “I aimed to gain leadership tools, mentorship opportunities and a broader perspective on enterprise-level management. Through structured learning, peer discussions and real-world application, I grew as a leader and enhanced my strategic decision-making skills.”

Director for NAVAIR’s Command Operations Group Doug Mousseau oversees both NLDP and JLDP. In his opening remarks, he discussed what leadership means to him.

“Things are changing rapidly; technology or world conflict come and go very quickly,” Mousseau said. “If you really want to make an impact on the future, you can help shape it. Leadership is about moving beyond hope and intention — it’s about planning, executing and making things happen.”  

Both JLDP graduates Jessica Santana, Business and Financial Branch head, Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) East, and Tim McCardle, VH-92A Support Equipment Logistics lead, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst, thought joining the JLDP was a way to advance their already impressive careers.

“With over 15 years of experience in facilities management — both as a Marine Corps service member and in my civilian DoD career — I was eager to enhance my leadership skills,” Santana said. “Having heard so many positive things about the JLDP, I knew it would be the ideal opportunity to continue growing professionally and reach new heights in my career.”

McCardle said his mentor recommended the JLDP to him as a career builder.

“It was recommended as a good complement to the 26 years of Marine Corps leadership training and experience and seven years of commercial business leadership I have,” he said. “I absolutely recommend that others apply for and join the program. The leadership lessons learned are a good foundation for the emerging leader and provide good refresher training for experienced leaders.”

Jose Mendoza, production controller, FRC Southeast, said he was hoping to sharpen his existing skills and acquire new ones through the JLDP training.

“I was hoping the training would enable me to transition beyond my current position into new challenges — I mean to be ready when new opportunities arise,” he said. “I realized how we are much bigger than I had imagined; we are part of a large community of gifted individuals willing to give a lot of themselves to our shared mission and each other. I felt very close to the other participants, despite the geographical distance between us.”

JLDP, established in 2010, helps develop future civilian and military NAVAIR leaders through training and exposure to leadership responsibilities. Participants enhance their interpersonal communication and productivity skills, gain a stronger working knowledge of command operations and develop a more robust personal network. The program includes leadership and wellness classes, formal mentoring and other developmental activities, such as job shadowing and senior leader interviews.

According to NLDP Administrator Julie Guy, both NLDP and JLDP continue to be competitive for selection. Completing the program requires personal dedication and a commitment to leadership development. 

“Our goals are fully aligned with the commander’s intent to provide employees with as many tools possible to help them lead, mentor, educate, grow and inspire others to perform at the highest levels, while also achieving their professional and personal goals,” Guy said. “We encourage them to apply what they learn the very next day in their jobs.”

Rudowsky concluded his remarks by telling graduates they are future NAVAIR leaders and players on the field, not just spectators.  

“Spectators watch and wait for others to take the lead or prove out a new approach,” he said. “While it’s natural to feel this way, we should challenge ourselves to engage. After all, even the best teams have missteps, sometimes even failures, and it makes them smarter and stronger. We need all players on the field. Our mission is too important. You are here, collectively, to serve our warfighters — our sons and daughters, family members and friends — but above all, you are here to serve this great nation we call home.” 

NAVAIR prioritizes the continuous development of its workforce, fostering both technical expertise and leadership capabilities. The NAVAIR Leader Development Continuum (NLDC) embodies this commitment, offering comprehensive leadership development resources throughout an employee's entire career journey. This “leadership at all levels” approach begins on an employee’s first day and continues until retirement. In addition to flagship programs like the NAVAIR Leadership Development Program (NLDP) and Journey Leadership Development Program (JLDP), the continuum features the self-paced Foundational Leadership Development Program (FLDP), providing a flexible entry point for those seeking to build a strong leadership foundation.