Los Alamos County Leadership Academy graduates gather November 16 at Fuller Lodge with Deputy County Manager Anne Laurent, far left, and Department of Public Utilities Manager Philo Shelton. LAC photo

Graduates of the most recent LAC Academy. LAC photo

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Graduates of the Leadership LAC Academy fall class were honored on Thursday, November 16 at Fuller Lodge after completing a nine-week leadership development program. The graduating class includes 19 Los Alamos County employees from 12 county divisions serving the community. 

The Leadership Academy, tailored to address the Los Alamos County government’s workforce needs, provides county employees who demonstrate strong leadership skills the opportunity to gain new perspectives, sharpen their supervisory skills, and build relationships through team-building and problem-solving exercises.     

Class graduates are Anthony Cardena, Desiree Miranda-Mendonca and Kirk Williamson from the Police Department; Shannon Ferrell, Olivia Hayashi-Groves, Dacotah Hofer, Wendy Parker and Brendan Tuning from the Community Services Department; Justin Lujan, Lucas Montoya, Paula Nelson, Yvonne Quintana and Gary Trujillo from the Department of Public Utilities; Ronald Lopez, Aaron Park and Joe Saiz from Public Works; Marlena Sanchez from IM; Dan Ungerleider from Community Development Department; and Curtis Valencia from the Assessor’s Office. 

As part of the county’s commitment to ongoing professional development, academy graduates are eligible to continue their leadership development by attending a six-week Leadership Power Skills training, where they can hone their skills in effective communication, conflict resolution, and delegation.  

Los Alamos County developed the programs to supplement its Operational Excellence initiative. LAC Academy graduates achieve an honor reserved for a select few. Students are nominated by their peers, supervisors or the County Leadership Team.