First 445th Professional Development Seminar a success

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  More than 280 military members and civilians from all branches of service gathered at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center Nov. 8 and 9 to take part in the first 445th Airlift Wing Professional Development Seminar.

"These two days were amazing and I hope everyone took something away that they can use in their careers; military or civilian," Chief Master Sgt. Peri Rogowski, 445th Airlift Wing command chief. "We've learned a lot from this event and we're looking at the feedback we've received so that we can make the next PDS even more successful."

The two-day event was filled with career enlightening information from key speakers. One such speaker was Tina Durkin, a professional fitness athlete and former 445th Logistics Support Squadron Air Reserve Technician, who kicked off the two-day event. She performed a short routine and motivated the audience about the importance of fitness and nutrition.

Other featured speakers and events included Lt. Col. Linda Stokes-Crowe, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron commander, teaching a segment on 4Lenses, a temperament indicator; Master Sgt. Patrick Stevens, 349th Civil Engineer Explosives Ordnance Disposal Flight, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., opened up about his experiences as a deployed EOD craftsman and how his life changed after a tragic moment while deployed; a junior Airmen's panel and a total force commanders panel gave the attendees the opportunity to hear their views on various military issues, such as the physical fitness test, and allowed the audience to ask questions.

Attendees also had the opportunity to attend either an officer, enlisted or civilian breakout session filled with applicable information to help with professional development. Career mapping, resume building and financial planning and strategies were also discussed.

"This has been a great conference. My favorite part was Tina Durkin because she really was an inspiration. It was so interesting to hear her story about being a reservists and keeping fit that it's motivated me to be fit and how fitness is important," said Master Sgt. Debra Foster, 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio.

"I really enjoyed the guest speakers at the conference. There was quite a variety and I really enjoyed what they had to say," Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Williamson, 87th Aerial Port, said.

Chief Rogowski said the planning for the conference started November 2009. Now that the first PDS is over, the team is starting to work on the next PDS.

One of the members on the planning committee enjoyed his experience of working with a great team.

"This was an outstanding opportunity to be involved with the planning committee. It gave me the opportunity to work alongside a great group of individuals from a variety of ranks plus the experience has helped me grow as a new NCO," Staff Sergeant Eddie Mulkey, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron said.