A Sept. 20 ceremony recognized 53 Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division employees for completing step one of the Professional at all Levels program at China Lake. An additional 28 graduates at Point Mugu were recognized Sept. 13.

PaaL is a three-step leadership program that combines a series of cohort sessions with personal and group coaching. The first step of the command-developed program teaches participants about leading themselves and others while steps two and three teach how to lead teams and organizations.

“The tools that we have learned through PaaL have given us the edge that we need to listen, adapt, react and plan in ways that aren’t always second nature to us; at least not yet,” said graduate Melinda Childs. “I am incredibly grateful to have participated in this.”

Cohort 16 graduates at China Lake were: Sheri Boston, Delores Byrne, James Caruthers, Kim Frankenberger, Brian Harley, Steven Haugh, Mary Heermann, Hazel Hensley, Barry Hileman, Michael Holmes, Kenrick King, Shirli Kleinman, Catherine Kreidt, Khanh Luu, Jon Mobley, Kate Quinata, Edwin Racelis, Stenson Smith, Harry Stephens, Janet Stowell, Heather Sweany, William Tavares Jr, Roger Tims, Sierra Trepanier, Rommer Villar, Larry Warkentin, Troy Winkstern and Scott Wyatt.

Cohort 17 graduates at China Lake were: Judy Benckendorf, Phillip Breedlove, Melinda Childs, Charles Dunmire, David Galyon, Isaac Graham, Wesley Hensley, William Jinkins, Krysti Kapturkiewicz, Nathaniel Kimbler, Denise Mahoney, Paul Mawhirter, Ivy McNew-Nickell, Antonio Morales, Allen Parker, Trina Powers, Brice Reider, Nepheli Sparks, John Talley, Courtney Vargas, Aerann Wallace, Stephanie Walters, Dieter Weik, Priscilla Witman and Amy Wooley.

“There’s no greater obligation and no greater privilege than being in a position to lead others,” said NAWCWD Executive Director Joan Johnson, who served as the keynote speaker. “When you get those opportunities – and I hope you will jump on those opportunities when they are afforded to you – lead with courage, integrity and purpose, but also lead with humility. I can’t wait to see what you all will do next.”