Exceptional Altus Airmen selected for Executive Leadership Development Program Published Sept. 7, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Department of Defense has selected Maj. Max Bremer, 97th Training Squadron, and Maj. Michele LoBianco, 97th Operations Support Squadron, for the Executive Leadership Development Program. "I am honored to have been selected. This is a unique opportunity to work with a diverse group of future leaders. I am excited for the program to begin. The Executive Leadership Development Program provides participants with extensive exposure to the roles and missions of the entire Department of Defense," said Major LoBianco. The 10-month program takes the participants to a variety of locations both in the United States and overseas to experience and appreciate the role of the "Warfighter" by participating in intensive "hands-on" field experience. Additionally, the participants will have the opportunity to hear from a number of distinguished panel members during seminars at Georgetown University and the Defense Executive Institute. "I am much more interested in what I can put into the program than what I can get out of it, but I expect to gain valuable experience interacting with others outside my career field. From others I have talked to about this program, I expect to make lifelong friendships and build long-standing professional relationships. This is little-known, but critical, program for developing future executive-level leaders," said Major Bremer. Each class consists of approximately 55 participants. Nominees to the program must be identified as high-potential employees with a history of superior performance, have a commitment to the DoD with an intention to pursue a DoD career, and demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a team member, among other qualifications. "The ELDP program is an outstanding opportunity. Max will get the opportunity to travel DoD locations around the world and take part in a symposium at Georgetown University. The program is not all fun and games. He will have the opportunities to get dirty with the Marines and the Army including scaling buildings and jumping from airborne training towers," said Lt. Col. Anthony Valerio, 97th Training Squadron commander. A typical September--June ELDP program includes two days of orientation in the Washington, D.C. area, two weeks of core-curriculum training covering areas such as team building, problem solving, decision-making, and communication skills, and one week deployments each month from December-June to military facilities, including a Joint Command (Pacific Command), Navy/Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, and the National Guard. Students deploy to forward-deployed locations, such as Korea and Europe. Briefings on defense and international issues at Georgetown University and Capitol Hill are part of the program, as are briefings on intelligence operations and attendance at a one-day Defense Executive Institute Seminar. Participants will prepare and present both project papers and a formal information briefing at the Pentagon. High-level military and civilian leaders attend the course graduation in Washington, D.C. "This is a tremendous opportunity to work side by side with current and future civilian, other governmental agencies and sister service leaders. This program is designed to bring members of the DoD together and provide the opportunity to learn about various service roles, missions, capabilities and traditions. By the end of the 10 months I think I will have a better understanding and appreciation of the entire DoD and the vast amount of teamwork this organization requires," said Major LoBianco. "We're very proud of both Major Bremer and Major LoBianco," said Col. Ty Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing Commander. "ELDP is an incredibly competitive program, and for one wing to have two selectees, well, I've never heard of that happening before. They will both become even better leaders for having participated in ELDP."