LDP Presence at VJETC2021
On May 20, 2021, four participants in the LDP program and one of the program instructors provided an excellent presentation on transitioning to leadership.
Realities of Leadership--Congratulations! You've Been Promoted. Now What?
Many ambitious professionals have goals to lead a team, company, division, or military or corporate headquarters. But are they prepared to be promoted? In this session, a panel of leaders at various career stages will shed light on the unexpected challenges of transitioning to leadership.
Moderator: Vincent Plocido, Senior Planner, WSP |
Speaker: Ted Studdard, Business to Business Operations Manager, The Home Depot |
Speaker: Colleen Rust, Project Manager, PG-WA, PMP, Sundance Consulting Inc. |
Speaker: Josh Carroll, Major, USAF |
Speaker: Kevin Remley, Senior Environmental Engineer, United States Public Health Service |
This presentation was the culmination of Vincent Plocido's project and underscores the legacy the Leader Development Program will have on the Society.

Submit a Project Idea
The Utilization Project Implementation Capstone (UPIC) requires that LDP participants make use of the leadership skills they gain through the program. By initiating, leading, and completing a project, they apply their knowledge, as well as provide service, leadership, and value to the Society and our members.
Projects can vary due to the participant’s interest, chosen level of Society participation (Post, Regional, or National), local or national committee interests/needs, and availability to provide service to any SAME member, Federal Agency, SAME strategic partner, Posts, Regions, or SAME National. All projects are coordinated with their mentors and approved by the SAME Executive Director to ensure tangible and valuable outcomes.
To submit a project idea for the incoming LDP class, email Jeannine Finton, LDP Program Manager, at jfinton@same.org.
Testimonials
In addition to impact to the Society, LDP helps the participants grow into the leaders SAME needs. These quotes were pulled from the end-of-program evaluation and speak to the impact of the program on the participants.
“I feel closer to SAME and more vested in the future. My cohort was amazing!”
“Completing an assessment and learning about yourself is key.”
“I was able to work with my mentor to identify growth opportunities and areas of improvement.”
“The most effective part of the program was direct interaction with other LDP members.”
“Celebrating diversity creates stronger organizations and leads to better decision making, wasn’t really discussed, should be a topic.”
“I think the LDP is an excellent program that is meeting a need in the A/E/C community. As the program continues to develop and evolve it will pay dividends to participants, the Society, and organizations across the A/E/C community.”
“I will finish strong as Post President in 2020 and look for opportunities to continue serving at both the local and national levels.”
“I have become more self-aware…and thoughtful of my actions as a leader.”