Emerald Coast Chapter of the ASTD

Emerald Coast Spotlight

Each month we feature a member or corporate partner.

2010 July Spotlight is on...
Carol Barry Chapter Member since: October 2010 National ASTD Member:Yes Employed by: Lockheed Martin Corp. JobTitle: Lead Instructional Designer
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
Chapter programs/meetings are targeted to address one of the nine Areas of Expertise (AOE) in the ASTD Competency Model, and in my job as an Instructional Designer, I am actively involved in several of those AOEs every day: Designing Learning, Delivering Training, Measurement and Evaluation. The meetings give me new ideas to think about in how our Instructional Design work can be performed better, more efficiently, and with better results for the students.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
My favorite thing about coming to meetings is to step away from the office environment and talk with others in the same field and learn from what others are doing.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
Last year at this time, I earned the CPLP (Certified Professional in Learning and Performance) from ASTD. After passing the exam, I submitted a work product in the Designing Learning AOE. It was a CBT lesson I developed on E-TCAS (Enhanced Traffic Collision Avoidance System) installed on the C-130 gunships. Work products are evaluated in four core components: project relationships, plans, outputs, and outcomes. In addition to the work product itself, you have to write essays about your product with regard to each of the four core components. I was quite happy to earn the highest score (3-Outstanding) in each of those four evaluation components. The CPLP is good for a three year period, after which time you can take the test again to maintain your certification, or throughout the three years, earn points towards certiciation maintenance. National membership, chapter membership, attending conferences and workshops, and volunteering for ASTD projects are ways to earn points and that is the path I'm taking.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?
The quality of the luncheon meal served has gradually declined since I first began attending meetings in 2005. I would be willing to pay a little more for a return to a higher quality meal.
2010 June Spotlight is on...
Susan Young Chapter Member since: 2009 National ASTD Member: Soon-to-be Employed by: Self-Employeed speaker/trainer JobTitle: President
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
Every time I have been to a chapter meeting, I have felt welcomed. It is always a pleasure to hear guest speakers that share tools from their own expertise. Every special program I Have attended has been dynamic, up-lifting and made an impact.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
The members! Everyone is always welcoming, enthusiastic and friendly. I enjoy the camaraderie, professional networking and opportunity to learn something new. The members come from such diverse backgrounds that each offers something different of value.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
After 25 years out of school and raising three teenagers as a single mom, I went back to school for my masters degree in Human Performance Technology from UWF. I will graduate this summer with honors. I am also a member of the National Speakers Association and the International Positive Psychology Association. Susan Young, is an international speaker, who has inspired hundreds of thousands with her energetic and enthusiastic attitude. Visit Susan's website: www.susanspeaks.com or www.she-lectricity.com.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?
Increase participation by building membership.
2010 May Spotlight is on...
Sylvia Niedzwiecki Chapter Member since: 2003/2004 National ASTD Member: No Employed by: Northwest Florida State College JobTitle: Career Specialist
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
I have found that, with a little modification, much of the program information presented at the ASTD meetings/workshops can be utilized in working with students. After all, we (the Career Resource Center) are in the business of "training and developing" students' capacity to take more proactive roles in their education and career decisions.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
I find the topics and information are always the most current and, for the most part, presented from an approach outside the educational realm. It is good to interact with people from the business sector and get their take on things.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
Having been with OWJC, OWCC, and NWFSC in varied capacities for 25 years, I have seen many changes, worked with many different colleagues, met countless students, and served on more committees than I can than I can remember. So to paraphrase Bob Pike, our April workshop facilitator, "When you love what you do, you don't have to work a day in your life." That best summarizes my work experiences at the college and is one of the tenets I try to instill in my students.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?
"If it ain't broke- don't fix it." The meetings and presentations are great. I just wish I could be more available to attend more of the meetings during the year. (I think I have attended three this year.) Tuesday is not the best day for me with my schedule. Our membership has been polled many times to find out the most convenient meetings times, but the second Tuesday of each month seems to be the consensus for most members, so I will continue to make the meetings when I can.
2010 April Spotlight is on...
Charles Listak Chapter Member since: 2010 National ASTD Member: No Employed by: Eglin Air Force Base, 53rd Test Management Group JobTitle: Director of Training
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
It's easy to get a bit of tunnel-vision in my work environment within the Department of Defense, so I look forward to hearing and seeing other perspectives from human resource and training professionals in the "real world." I hope to gleam some beneficial ideas and tips about resloving training and performance issues in various workplace settings and hopefully contribute a bit of my experience too.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
I enjoy meeting and sharing with like-minded professionals who place a great emphasis on human performance. I especially appreciate the diversity of our chapter, from the public education sector to the corporate world, and from local to state and federal government agencies. It's also exciting to see the many interesting topics on the upcoming Program Calendar-can't wait to take part in those.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
Probably the most exciting thing to share is my 18 month old baby, Aiden. Since my wife of almost 23 years and I already have a daughter in college and two sons in high school, our surprise blessing really knocked us off our feet; but he's the most incredible little guy ever. In addition, although not nearly as exciting as a little baby, my former doctoral mentor, Dr. G. Michael Barry, and I have recently formed a program evaluation company called Evaluation Florida, where our mission is to provide expert guidance and strategic assistance necessary for educators to creat the best possible environment for teaching and learning.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?
I can't really make any improvement suggestions since my only meeting thus far was excellent-the video conference on the Learning Transfer System Inventory with Dr. Reid Btes. I am also certainly looking forward to the Bob Pike workshop this month. I think I picked a great time to be a part of the Emerald Coast Chapter of ASTD!
2010 March Spotlight is on...
Greg Lundy Chapter Member since: 2010 National ASTD Member: No Employed by: Auburn Water System JobTitle: New Construction Supervisor
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
Most of my life I have worked in the construction field; the majority of that time in a supervisory role of one form or another. I would like to think that has been due to my knowledge in my field and my work ethic. In construction, an employee either produces or is replaced with someone who can. This the only way a company can survive. I have been the New Construction Supervisor for Auburn Water System now for 3-1/2 years and I am still learning just how much difference there is between the construction industry and a utility company in terms of dealing with employee problems. I have taken something away from every ASTD meeting I have attended, the most recent being with Dr. Goetsch. His knowledge and gift of teaching always helps me to better understand the new generation of employees and how I should interact with them.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
I enjoy the lectures and I get a lot out of the questions and discussions. This not only shows me that I may not be the only one have difficulties with a situation, it also lets me hear other opinions that I may have not thought about.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
I am a Christian. My wife Reba and I have three children and two granddaughters. Because of the excellent Continuing Education Program that the Leadership at A.W.S. has instituted, I have been able to achieve several goals with my most prized being my Class A Water Treatment Operator License Issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?
I do not know how it could be accomplished, but there are many of times during a lecture when I wish that our employees could hear what I just hear.
2010 February Spotlight is on...
Susan Van Buren Chapter Member since: 2000 National ASTD Member: Yes Employed by: CHELCO JobTitle: Manager of Employee Development & Training
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
The opportunity to network and to gain some insight or perspective on training and/or performance improvement is always welcome. I truly believe that Joyce Szilvasy's decision to tie programs to the ASTD CPLP competencies was an inspired idea. Using those as a guide for identifying our program needs helps us to focus on the true mission of this professional organization.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
*In addition to the opportunity to 'sharpen my saw,' I genuinely enjoy the opportunity to meet and network with the cross-section of the training professionals we have in our chapter.*
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
I have been affiliated with this chapter since before we received our charter in December 2000. I served as teh chapter's first President-elect and its second President (2002). I just recently completed my Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Training & Performance Improvement.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?
I think that April and Julie are on target with ensuring the focus of the programs are on training trends and topics. I would like to see more business related information passed along to our members during meetings. Periodic, brief reports on our finances, Chapter Operating Requirements (CORE), committee activities, and other critical business issues would be informative.
2010 January Spotlight is on...
April Adams Chapter Member since: 2008 National ASTD Member: 2008 Employed by: the University of West Florida and Kaplan University JobTitle: Teacher Education
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
Being that I am currently looking for a another job, the meetings provide great networking opportunities. I also find many of the programs to broaden my knowledge of various training aspects and situations which affect our local community of businesses and industries.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
Meeting people in my field of work which is education as well as training and performance improvement as well as being exposed to various training aspects outside of education and the great lunches provided by NWF State College.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
I am a 4th generation Nicevillian, married to Wiley Adams whose family also originates from Niceville. We have two girls – Savannah (13) and Heather (7). I love to scrapbook, bass fish on the local rivers, and vacation with my family whenever I get the chance.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?

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Updated: 7/12/10