NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- Stephanie Souders, program manager for the Naval Acquisition Development Program (NADP), Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Logistics and Industrial Operations (AIR 6.0C) received NAVAIR’s “You Made a Difference” award on June 21. The award recognizes members of the workforce for their extra effort and dedication.

"Stephanie’s focus on continued process improvement has been the catalyst for actions across each of the departments within 6.0,” said Michele DeMoss-Coward, director for the Workforce Strategy, Acquisition and Development, Logistics Management Integration department, NAVAIR Logistics and Industrial Operations (AIR 6.6), who nominated Souders for the award. “As a direct result of her professionalism and diligence, departments have reprioritized actions related to their interns.”

“Stephanie is knowledgeable, highly motivated, committed and passionate about the [NADP]program and every individual that is (or has ever been) an intern,” DeMoss-Coward continued. “She is diligent in her efforts to provide NAVAIR a well-developed, talented workforce. Her professionalism has earned her the respect of everyone she encounters, both internally and externally to NAVAIR, and she needed to be recognized as a member of NAVAIR that has truly ‘made a difference.’”

Souders’s accomplishments include developing and streamlining processes for intern hiring and orientation, intern mentorship, new employee onboarding and senior projects. She also inaugurated an intern council and established regular meetings for knowledge and “lessons learned” sharing.

“Being the AIR 6.0 NADP program manager has been the most rewarding job I have had to date,” Souders said. “I get to help guide and mentor 70 wonderful people on a daily basis -- how can it be any better than that? Two years ago when I accepted this position, I knew I wanted to make a big difference and take this program to the next level and, now that we’re there, we’re still going to keep moving forward.  I couldn't do it without the support from our leadership and without the help from our NADPs.  I look to them just as much as they look to me.  We are a great team, and I'm thankful that I'm in this position.”

Currently, the NADP has 70 participants at Patuxent River and 135 nationally.

The NADP program provides professional development, coaching and mentorship to promote the growth of entry-level professionals in finance, contracting, logistics, science and engineering. Mid-career professionals can participate in the program as an associate. For more information about the NADP program, contact Stephanie Souders at 301-757-8416 or visit http://www.secnav.navy.mil/rda/workforce/Pages/NADP.aspx.