"Actual training you can use!"

Becky McKinney
Fairfax County

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"It is a great learning experience, and you meet new government officials you can work with and bounce ideas of."

Drew Tracy
Montgomery County

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"Gives some excellent skills and knowledge to experienced managers. Great opportunity to network."

John Kapinos
Montgomery County

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"This program has provided me with a whole new toolbox for my job as a
regional planner. In addition, I have a better understanding of regional policy making."

Eulalie Gower-Lucas
Council of Governments

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"I have been promoted to Chief, Fire Marshal with the Division of Community Risk Reduction Services in Montgomery County."

"The COG IRE and REDP provided me with an opportunity to participate with a group of manager level peers from around the region in an intense learning environment. Working side by side with these other manager helped to create a long lasting bond and increased my awareness to the impacts of regional problems and how to solve them by bringing the right people to the table. This is truly an opportunity to learn three ways, once from an incredible group of subject matter experts who teach the modules, once from the vastly experienced and knowledgeable peers and finally once from the experience of working through and producing a valuable applied research project."

Micheal Love
COHORT II, Montgomery County Government

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"I have been promoted to Director of Housing and Human Services for the City of Falls Church since completing the IRE Program."

"Although the IRE was a great deal of work, it was also fun and gave me an opportunity to meet and gain the perspective of a diversity of expertise areas with professionals whom I might otherwise never had any contact."

Pam Doran
COHORT II, City of Falls Church

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"I have been promoted to Deputy Director for McLean Community Center in Fairfax County."

"The IRE Program has had a very positive impact on my work for Fairfax County. The training took me outside of my own experience and helped hone my skills as a manager. While the experience can be challenging in many way, it is more than worth it. Managers learn about the challenges facing colleagues in other jurisdictions and are able to bring new skills to their jobs. It is an extraordinary opportunity for any municipal manager."

Claire Kiley
COHORT II, Fairfax County Government

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"I have received two promotions since completing the IRE Program. I am now the Acting Deputy Chief for Street and Bridge Maintenance, Transportation Operation Administration, District Department of Transportation."

"The IRE Program helped develop me as a better leader, a better person, and definitely sharpened my professional skills."

Clarissa Byrd
COHORT III, District of Columbia

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"I received two promotions since my participation in the IRE Program. I have been the Regional Coordinator, Department of Community and Recreation Services, and Organizational Development Manager, Department of Family Services."

"The IRE Program gave me essential knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities that directly affected my ability to move to a higher level in Fairfax County. My first promotion was for a job that was supervised by another former IRE Cohort member who I had continued meeting to discuss work."

Allison Mulligan
COHORT III, Fairfax County

"The program is very beneficial in teaching leadership and management skills in a structured environment."

Andrew Wilson
City of Fairfax

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"I liked meeting the officials from the other jurisdictions and learn a lot from them as we discuss the topics. I found most modules helpful. I would let potential applicants know of the heavy time commitment, however."

Suzanne Ludlow
City of Takoma Park

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"Program exposes participants to the complex socio-economic issues facing the region as well as provides relevant case studies of successful and failed programs/policies in other parts of the country and overseas."

Moe Wadda
City of Falls Church

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"It is a great program. You learn many practical things about surrounding jurisdictions that you would probably not learn but for this program. You definitely come out with a regional perspective."

Raul Torres
Arlington County

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"I received a promotion while in the IRE Training Program. This is little doubt in my mind that the information I learned was directly applicable to the interview questions and situations I encountered during my promotional process."

"I have gained a broader working knowledge of the regional issues. Some of the tools I was exposed to during the training have been added to our organization and working well. I appreciate the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of professionals from the region, who share common challenges, yet from a wide variety of job applications. It was a very beneficial and rewarding experience."

Hadden C. Culp
COHORT III, Prince William County

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"I was promoted to Community Centers Division Supervisor for Fairfax County."

"Due to the IRE Program, I look at solutions and issues from a broader prospective. In addition, I have made a lot of contacts with people from other jurisdictions."

Chris Scales
COHORT IV, Fairfax County Government

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"I received a promotion to Manager III after completion of the IRE Program."

"I am proud to have participated in the IRE Program as it gave me an opportunity to evaluate my strengths and weaknesses, and make improvements in a supportive environment. Additionally, I met some of the best friends I ever had."

Traci Anderson
COHORT V, Montgomery County Government

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"The IRE Program has helped me to understand the importance, relevance, and specifics of my role in regionalism and working with my partners in public safety. The CPM certificate specific to this region is helping me in my efforts to support our agency as an executive staff member. As I move ahead in my career, it is a distinction that will help me be more effective as a leader."

"The MWCOG IRE is an outstanding program which assists students in broadening their understanding and application of effective leadership skills and abilities. The program is all about real-life and as it assists with honing skills in a variety of areas. The program is practical and had immediate and longer term application in critical areas of knowledge that are required for executive leadership. I am pleased that I made the time and emotional investment in the program and highly recommend it for those interested in attending."

Luther Reynolds
COHORT VI, Montgomery County Government

 

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