Altus AFB opens Civilian Professional Development Center

  • Published
  • By Michael Fletcher
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Altus Air Force Base, Okla. --  Altus Air Force Base formally opened a Civilian Professional Development Center, Feb. 6, with a ribbon cutting by Col. Carlton D. Everhart II, commander, 97th Air Mobility Wing. In attendance were Col. Keith Moncrief, commander 97th Mission Support Group, and Johnette Howard, 97th MSG deputy commander, the driving force behind the center.

"When I envisioned a civilian development process, I had no idea that it would turn out to be a professional Warrior development center," Colonel Everhart said. "I gave Johnette Howard a little bit of vision and things just accelerated. This is an investment in the future."

"This journey started on the enlisted side and that set the milestone," Colonel Everhart said. "It moved to the officer side and then we decided to bring everyone along." Since the first professional development session taught by Colonel Everhart in August, more than 2,500 people have attended CPD classes.

The opening of the center completes Colonel Everhart's vision of a triad of professional development programs on base, with formal programs for officers, enlisted and civilans. All three programs are now centrally located in the same facility.

"The synergy of having all Warrior training, officer, enlisted and civilian, in one facility is priceless," said Ms. Howard. "It provides flexibility of equipment and space for any training need that may arise and results in a visual commitment to professional development at all levels. "I can't express enough my thanks for all the volunteers that contributed to make this happen," she added.

In preparing the building, Airmen Leadership School students spent off-duty time to convert six small rooms in Bldg. 318, the Warrior Center, into a large conference room now complete with computers, audio-visual projectors, tables and chairs. More than 31 ALS, Civil Engineering, Det. 2, Medical Group, Child Development Center, Security Forces, Education Center and Communications volunteers turned the center into a finished facility with fresh paint, ceilings, carpet, tile and modern lighting.

Ms. Teena Duffy oversees the center and was instrumental in bringing the Harvard Business School program to Altus AFB.

"The HBS interactive web-based training materials are self-paced study," said Ms. Duffy, "but most importantly it provides a platform for civilians to become facilitators and improve their presentation and public speaking skills."

The center is also available for off-site style meetings and has full audio-visual support and internet connections. For reservations and CPD class schedules, contact Teena Duffy, 481-7644.