- April 25, 2024
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Flagler County staffers, as well as team members from other local governmental agencies, are in the midst of the second Leadership Academy, which is designed to further professionalize local agencies by studying the best practices for successful leadership.
County Administrator Jerry Cameron and Dr. Joe Saviak, Executive Director of the Flagler Sheriff’s Leadership Institute, are facilitating the program that is structured like the programs undertaken by Fortune 500 companies.
“Any time you get to take part in an activity or course such as the county’s Leadership Academy, it’s a win for the participants as well as for their employers,” said Jason Wheeler, Flagler Schools Community Information Specialist. “That is especially true when you bring people together from different organizations. This is a varied class with many different experiences and points of view and I expect to take a lot back to Flagler Schools once this is finished.”
Fewer than 20 professional staff members are participating in the academy, including two from the Sheriff’s Office, two from the Tax Collector’s Office, and two from Flagler Schools. The class size of the Leadership Academy is limited to promote and encourage a high level of student engagement. Materials and methodology are in line with graduate-level coursework.
The benefit to taxpayers is that participants learn strategies and practices that enhance their effectiveness, efficiency, and customer service provided to residents.
“We appreciate Mr. Cameron including Flagler Schools in this year’s class,” said Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt. “Our organization is constantly looking for ways to educate everyone, not just our students. This is a great opportunity for our staff to learn important skills they can bring back to Flagler Schools.”
Participants from the inaugural class attest to this.
“The best part for me was that I learned an abundance of new knowledge, tips, and techniques along the way,” said Financial Services Director John Brower. “When taking leadership courses, my goal is always to take away one new ‘nugget’ of leadership information that I didn’t know previously. I can say with confidence that I came out of this course with both pockets full of big leadership nuggets.”
Sergeant Ryan Emery with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office spoke glowingly of his Leadership Academy experience.
“The topics of instruction, reading material, guest speakers, and class discussions strengthened my understanding of leadership strategies and how to most effectively apply them in a wide range of professional situations,” he said. “I would strongly recommend to anyone who has a desire to grow as a leader that he or she should attend this course in the future.”
