Acting Executive Director for Lakehurst Kathleen P. Donnelly thanks the Professional Development Group committee chairs during a ceremony on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. June 27. (U.S. Navy photo)
Professional Development Group celebrates alumni achievements
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst recognized alumni of its Professional Development Group (PDG) for their commitment to helping new employees acclimate to the workforce during a ceremony here June 27.
The PDG started at NAWCAD Lakehurst in 2001 to bring all new science and engineering hires together into one cohesive peer network that could provide support and opportunities for professional growth.
Today the PDG is comprised of hundreds of employees from all NAWCAD Lakehurst career fields, hosting multiple events each month from professional development opportunities to social outings.
Past PDG committee chairs were recognized for their efforts in hosting these events and the impact they have on new employee morale and retention.
“The committee chairs play an important role, and it’s through all their efforts that the PDG has gotten to where it is now,” said Acting Executive Director for Lakehurst Kathleen P. Donnelly. “On behalf of leadership, thank you to all the committee chairs for what you’ve done and the current ones for what you continue to do. You really do make a difference.”
The five PDG committees include the following:
- Training/Rotation
- Recreation/Intramural Sports
- Social/Outreach
- Communications
- Volunteer
The committees provide professional development opportunities such as speed mentoring, lab tours, skills training and leadership classes.
They plan networking opportunities for new employees to interface with their peers and leadership at informal activities like bowling or golf and through formal networking events.
Volunteer activities include Habitat for Humanity, the Navy Lakehurst Giving Tree, the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society’s project to restore historical aircraft, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education events with New Jersey schools.
“Without the committee chairs we wouldn’t have opportunities for people to gather together to talk, to have fun and network with supervisors and leadership,” Samuel said. “The committee chairs are what keep all the new hires together and building off of each other.”
NAWCAD Lakehurst celebrates former Professional Development Group committee chairs during a ceremony on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. June 27. (U.S. Navy photo)