WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Senior leaders from across the National Air and Space Intelligence Center gathered for a senior leader summit Aug. 23 at one of the center’s auxiliary buildings.
Held at Haynes Hall – NASIC’s recently-completed Foreign Materiel Exploitation building – the summit provided attendees a chance to build connections with one another outside the main campus. Col. Parker Wright, NASIC commander, opened the summit by encouraging participants to use it as an opportunity.
“NASIC is bigger than the building you work in,” Wright said, referring to not just the location of the summit but also the interaction of leadership within NASIC. “Focus on leadership. Focus on the fact that we are leading people, not just the mission.”
The day-long summit allowed NASIC’s new leadership team to gather following 14 changes of command across the center this summer. It also provided an opportunity for Wright to share his leadership philosophy and build some common reference points for the group.
“I presented my initial commander’s intent, proposed vision and priorities, and planning guidance for our [fiscal year 2019] flight plan,” he said. “Our leadership team left with a task to develop squadron and directorate objectives for us to incorporate into the center-wide plan.”
After the opening comments, attendees worked in groups to address various case studies and to identify emerging trends.
Master Sgt. Danyail Lawton, Counterspace Analysis Squadron superintendent, attended the summit eager to learn from leaders across NASIC.
“My hope for the summit was to gain different perspectives in leadership styles,” she said.
Lawton took copious notes throughout the day to help in her duties when she returns to her daily job.
“I am like a sponge hoping to soak it all up,” said Lawton. “In my mind, I am creating a vision to pass along to my squadron.”