Keesler boasts two PACE Impact Award winners

Published May 18, 2018
By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Two Keesler Airmen were announced as Profession Of Arms Center of Excellence Leadership Impact Award recipients, May 9.

Dr. Wayne Clark, 81st Mission Support Group deputy director, and Senior Master Sgt. Tiffany Patterson, 81st Force Support Squadron career assistance adviser, were among the 17 individuals recognized across the Air Force.

This is the second year the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence and Air University Leadership Institute are recognizing individuals who have established programs that are having a positive impact on their organization and strengthening the Air Force’s culture.

Clark is at the forefront of numerous Air Force priorities in his role as 81st MSG deputy director, including the Air Force Community Partnership Program, but his real passion is the development of civilian Airmen.

“Our Air Force relies on every member of the team to accomplish the mission,” Clark said. “Therefore, we must invest in the development and growth of our civilians as much as our officers and enlisted personnel. One team, one fight.”

One of the biggest innovations Clark implemented was leveraging the Airman Leadership School curriculum and staff to provide a crash course to 24 civilians on foundational leadership principles. The civilian professional development course is targeted at civilians who are charged with supervising Airmen and other civilians.

“Our civilians now have the opportunity to grow and develop as both individuals and Airmen,” Clark said. “Due to the size of our force and all of the things we are being asked to do, creating a better Airman has to include our civilians.”

Clark also organized numerous events, such as civilian all-calls and civilian leadership forums which featured keynote speakers who were able to provide attendees with leadership lessons. His efforts were recognized and lauded by wing leaders, Air Education and Training Command as well as Headquarters Air Force leadership.

Clark explains that his vision for civilian development does not start and stop with him. It is up to everyone to embrace civilian development to ensure the success of the Air Force.

“The professional development of civilian Airmen has to continue to evolve,” Clark said. “Successful companies invest in employees who show potential and want grow as leaders. While the Air Force goes above and beyond when it comes to training and developing Airmen, the future must make the development of our civilian Airmen a bigger part of the equation.”

While Clark is tackling the development of the civilian force, Patterson’s emphasis is on providing advice and development opportunities to the Total Force. In her role, dual-hatting as both the career assistance advisor and the NCO in charge of the First Term Airman’s Center, she has impacted more than 11,000 individuals through 187 courses.

“I am truly honored to be recognized for this phenomenal award,” Patterson said. “It’s humbling to know that you can impact someone in a profound way by simply loving what you do for a living.”

Her drive to constantly find innovative ways to deliver personal and professional enhancement to the force have yielded programs like the base’s first ever Total Force Council and the Training Group Leadership Program, which targets military training leaders and instructors. These programs in turn impact the 31,000 students who pass through Keesler each year.

“I strive to provide professional development opportunities to the Total Force,” Patterson said. “I believe the programs and initiatives developed at Keesler have given us the opportunity to strengthen leadership development, daily mentoring and technical skills development.”

The 81st Training Wing Career assistance adviser is the principle adviser to 77 commanders, chiefs and first sergeants on base.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this position,” Patterson said. It has been an absolute blessing to play a part in Team Keesler’s continuum of developing the Total Force.”