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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Leadership Development Program graduation on tap for 11 employees

For the past 12 years, the focus of the City of Laredo Leadership Development Program has been so that City employees who participate in the program will help make the City of Laredo a better place to work, live and play, while offering a positive experience while learning about public service.  Those employees who choose to participate, and are selected as members of this very competitive program, are the next generation of City of Laredo leaders:  today, 11 more employees join the ranks of those on the path of great expectations.

 A 11-month intensive training program, the class met regularly with department directors and division managers, to understand the complexities, programs, services and missions of each one, and to understand how each work together to serve the citizens.  Aside from lessons from world-renowned leader John Maxwell, these Leadership class students developed their communication and presentation skills, another key factor of leadership.  Other seminars included team-building exercises, personality profiles and in-depth problem solving, and project-mapping seminars. The Leadership program also assigned a group project for the members to tackle, with the intent of the class to utilize all of the previous class sessions leadership tools, usually addressing a need within the community that perhaps the City of Laredo can answer.  

“The program helps to address needs for city services by giving regular employees access to management to share ideas,” said Diana Galindo, of Municipal Court and a graduate this year.  “My understanding of various departments is expanded, my communication skills improved and I was able to network with co-workers in other departments, really giving me an insight into all of the employees who work for the City of Laredo,” she added.

           The 2009 Leadership Development Class:

           Nora Cardona –Health Department/WIC            Alicia Quiroz-Health/WIC

          Keila Castillo-Health Department/Epidemiology          Sandra M. Ramos-Police Department

          Elizabeth Estrada – Finance Department            Isauro Valle, Jr., -Community Development

          Diana Galindo – Municipal Court                       Luis Villa, Jr. – Building Inspections

          Ricardo Gomez-Community Development/Municipal Housing       Margaretha Escudero – Health

          Eduardo Zepeda – Engineering/Solid Waste

 Leadership Coordinator: Linda Teniente-Human Resources Department