VICKSBURG, Miss. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Emerging Leaders (ELs) from the Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) and South Atlantic Division (SAD) attended Government Affairs Institute (GAI) congressional briefings at the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington D.C., February 24 – 27 to learn in depth about congressional procedures, the committee system, and to better understand House and Senate Floor Actions.
During the week, guest speakers included individuals who work on and around Capitol Hill such as Ryan Seiger with the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment; Kathleen Williams with the Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development on Appropriations; and Director Cardell Johnson with the Government Accountability Office.
“Washington Week” is one of the most beneficial requirements of the Mississippi Valley Division - Emerging Leaders Program (ELP),” said Sabrina Dalton, MVD ELP Program Manager, “Hearing firsthand from those who work on the Hill helps ELs gain a broader perspective of how impactful their work is to our Nation.”
Briefing topics included the nature of Congress; key stages of the legislative process; the budget process; role of the Appropriations Committee; the role of congressional staff; and Congress and the media.
Many of the speakers involved with USACE mission areas afforded ELs opportunity to ask candid and specific questions about the processes and hurdles at the congressional level and how they impact USACE.
“This was an excellent course and really gave me a much better understanding of the congressional process,” said Jeremy Daigle, with the USACE New Orleans District.
Another attendee stated that she loved the course, because she has always had an interest in government and GAI Week reignited that interest.
Attendees from MVD:
- MVD: Sabrina Dalton, EL Program Manager
- St. Paul District: Karla Sparks
- Rock Island District: Ryan Larrison, Robert Maroney, Heather Schroeder, Kelly Thomas
- Memphis District: Anthony Campo, John Hudson, Seth Rowland
- Vicksburg District: Brandon Griffin, Whitney McRae
- New Orleans District: Jeremy Daigle, Elizabeth Manuel, Jennifer Stephens
Attendees from SAD: Chad Arnett, Caitlin Bryant, Brandon Burch, Luan Esteban Correa, George Fadok, Rachel Radtke
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) Emerging Leader Program (ELP) is a two-year program that broadens participants’ professional horizons through training, mentoring by senior leaders, developmental assignments, self-evaluation, and active participation in the program. The program offers opportunities for individuals to develop a regional perspective, gain insight on effective leadership traits, participate in leadership opportunities, and better understand the USACE Vision and Mission.