WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Institute for Defense and Business (IDB) announced its 2017-2018 class of IDB Executive Fellows at an induction ceremony Wednesday at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC. The Executive Fellows Program is a unique opportunity for selected retired senior leaders from the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the military services to share their knowledge and experience with participants in the IDB's educational programs. For the thirteenth consecutive year, analytics software provider SAS has sponsored the Fellows program.
This was the first event conducted with Mr. Thomas W. Bradshaw, Jr., as the new Chairman of the IDB Board of Directors. United States Congressman David Price (D-NC) provided opening remarks to the attendees from private industry, government agencies, the military, non-governmental organizations, and academia.
Glenn Edelschein, Director of Strategic Initiatives at SAS Federal, also addressed the group.
"The IDB's Executive Fellows Program continues to provide unparalleled, real world experience and leadership to the logistics classroom," Edelschein noted. "SAS's support of this important program has continued to provide our young logisticians, in all of the service branches, a unique opportunity to develop and hone their logistics skills and critical thinking."
Five executive fellows were inducted this year:
"By virtue of their experience, education, and professional networks, the IDB Executive Fellows provide unique perspectives and insights that set our programs apart," said MG (Ret) Jim Hodge, President of the IDB. "The Fellows joining us today form an all-star team of senior defense leaders and logisticians. We are thrilled to be the beneficiaries of their service and support throughout the upcoming year!"
Fellows are selected based on their expertise, experience, and exceptional records of accomplishment. They are involved in IDB programs by serving as guest lecturers, mentors and coaches to program attendees. They also work with IDB faculty on key academic case studies and research, as well as serving as advisors on a spectrum of issues.
The ceremony also included the presentation of the annual General William G.T. Tuttle, Jr., USA (Ret) Award for Business Acumen in Defense and Government. The GEN Tuttle Award was established in 2010 by the IDB to recognize alumni who apply concepts learned in an IDB program to achieve outstanding results for their organization.
This year's recipients are the men and women of McAlester Army Ammunition Plant for successfully implementing McAlester's "Over the Horizon" strategic plan for the distribution and production business units, along with the McAlester installation (a small city), which yields an economic impact to Southeastern Oklahoma of over $475M through a Working Capital Fund.
Led by Depot and Arsenal Executive Leadership Program (DAELP) graduates COL Sean Herron and COL Joseph Blanding, the previous and current McAlester Commanders, respectively, "Over the Horizon" was built on a framework of concepts presented in the DAELP curriculum. McAlester's culture of continual process improvement through the use of LEAN, Six Sigma, and value engineering saved $18M in FY15 and $23M in FY16. These efforts have allowed McAlester to consistently be among the most efficient facilities in Army Materiel Command, provide high-quality/best value products to its customers, and improve Army readiness.
Adding to the significance of the accolade, General Tuttle himself presented the award to Colonel Herron and Mr. Brian D. Lott, McAlester's current Chief of Staff, who accepted the award on behalf of the men and women of McAlester.
About SAS
SAS is the global leader in analytics solutions. Through innovative predictive analytics solutions, SAS helps customers make better decisions faster.
About the Institute for Defense and Business
The Institute for Defense and Business (IDB) delivers educational programs and research to teach, challenge, and inspire leaders who work with and within the defense enterprise to achieve next-level results for their organization. IDB features curriculum in Logistics, Supply Chain and Life Cycle Management, Complex Industrial Leadership, Strategic Studies, and Global Business and Defense Studies, Continuous Process Improvement, and Stabilization and Economic Reconstruction. www.IDB.org
Media Contact: Ted Brewer, Institute for Defense and Business, (919) 969-8008
SOURCE Institute for Defense and Business