Almost 150 senior leaders of the V.I. National Guard took part in a leadership conference Saturday and Sunday to gain the tools to shape future VING leaders.
Col. Elton Lewis, director of the joint staff and assistant to the adjutant general, said the goal was to get information to current leaders on how to teach, coach and mentor young soldiers.
“We have a young force coming up and it is important to get information out to leadership on how to prepare them well for when it is time for us to retire,” Lewis said. “The goal is to leave behind a well trained force.”
VING leaders from St. Thomas and St. Croix with the rank of sergeant first class and higher were required to attend the V.I. National Guard Senior Leadership Conference, held in the conference room at the Cardiac Center at Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital.
Speakers provided tools and information for listeners to become strong leaders.
William White, dean of the School of Leadership at Mountain State University in Beckley, W.V., was one of the guest speakers on Saturday. He spoke about people taking passion and purpose as components to attain strong leadership.
“As leaders, people come first, with a big emphasis on having passion to be a good leader,” White said. “And there has to be purpose and a vision as to where you are going.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Althea Dixon, a graduate of St. Croix Central High School and senior enlisted advisor to the Army Surgeon General, was the main speaker Sunday.
Dixon presented three points for successful leadership. She outlined how to have a strategy to achieve goals and strategic objectives. She went on to give tips on how to have good non commissioned officer and officer relationships. She said the keys to success were developing communication and listening skills, enforcing standards and giving rewards.
Also on Saturday, Maj. Gen. Renaldo Rivera, adjutant general of VING, spoke about upcoming assignments and expectations for next year. Col. Lewis talked about the vision, mission, goals and objectives of VING. Alica Barnes, assistant CEO of the Economic Development Authority, gave a motivation speech about leadership.
Master Sgt. Francisco Nazario said the conference had been well worth his while..
“I will apply the information to my military career, take it to my civilian employment, and use it in my personal life,” Nazario said.
The conference included a dinner and dance Saturday at Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino.
