PANAMA CITY, Fla. –
Two Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) employees will represent the Navy Lab for the latest Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Next Generation Leadership (NEXTGEN) Program.
NEXTGEN, which aims to develop capable leaders for the command, both now and in the future, is a two‐year program designed for its employees who are looking to take on more leadership roles at NAVSEA.
Renee Musto, NSWC PCD Unmanned Maritime Systems (PMS 420) Mine Countermeasures Mission Package certification lead, and Dan Patterson, NSWC PCD Expeditionary Sea Base Mobile Landing Platform Afloat Network Integrated Logistics Support manager, look forward to beginning their journeys in Fiscal Year 2023.
“I applied because it offers a unique multi-prong approach to learning with a variety of engagement activities. Plus, it is important to embrace opportunities to explore leadership topics and discuss methods for dealing with a variety of challenges,” said Musto. “The NEXTGEN program is an excellent opportunity for professional growth and development and I am honored to be selected from the many talented and driven applicants across NAVSEA.”
Musto added the program will provide their cadre with foundational leadership communication training by teaching them how to ask the hard questions and facilitate discussions for a meaningful outcome.
“I applied because I plan to pursue higher positions within NSWC PCD in the future. I haven’t really been in a leadership role since retiring from active duty service in 2016, but I think it is important to keep those skills fresh and I look forward to learning and adapting those to the civilian community,” said Patterson. “My leadership placed significant confidence in me to represent NSWC PCD on a NAVSEA level and I am very proud and motivated to be selected.”
This self‐paced NEXTGEN Program is available enterprise wide and personnel who meet the requirements are notified by the workforce development office that they are eligible to apply. Selected individuals will gain leadership skills through the program’s blended course approach using both a classroom and online format which involves assessment, experiential learning and individual development opportunities. Musto and Patterson, who have worked for NSWC PCD for two years and three years respectively, aim to use this program to make a larger impact on the fleet.
“I hope to take away some great examples of leadership and learn about other commands and programs. I am also looking forward to collaborating and getting to know people from different NAVSEA areas,” said Patterson. “I want to support the NSWC PCD mission anyway I can and I have future aspirations of moving into a functional lead and possibly a branch head position.”
Musto shared the same enthusiasm.
“The experience I will get from the NEXTGEN Program will help me gain a greater understanding of how the government acquisition and engineering processes are executed at the higher leadership levels in order to support U.S. Navy mission readiness,” said Musto. “This knowledge will be beneficial as I execute my current and future duties to support the warfighter.”