2018 New Bern gathering and leadership demographics varied

The Donald L Dickson Memorial Award winner, Chris Whiting hugs Manny Pacheco while Keith Oliver looks on.

The Donald L Dickson Memorial Award winner, Chris Whiting hugs Manny Pacheco while Keith Oliver looks on.

Professional Development and Training Symposium Wrap, Part II

New Association board member Sgt. Melodie Snarr, 22, was the youngest national officer confirmed at the annual business meeting held in conjunction with the 2018 USMCCCA Professional Development and Training Symposium; and Foundation President and Korean War veteran Tom Kerr, 83, back for “one more ride,” is the most seasoned.

Snarr is joined on the Association Board by two fellow newcomers to the decision-making table:  Active duty CWO-3 Paul Mancuso, currently stationed in Japan; and former Marine staff sergeant and multiple DPA recipient Jason Huffine, a highly-regarded crisis communications and organizational change consultant in civilian life.

Mark Fayloga and Shawn Rhodes during the seminar, Flourishing in a multi-platform environment.

Mark Fayloga and Shawn Rhodes during the seminar, Flourishing in a multi-platform environment.

Others, including Dan Clare, Mark Fayloga, James Chittenden, and Karen Holliday, have already put their hats in the ring for 2019. 

As always, national elections will be held at the business meeting; site and specific dates are being finalized in coordination with HQMC’s Communication Directorate along with the Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

Nominations Chair Christine Whiting (who is retiring from her 15-year tenure as national secretary) is actively seeking candidates for every office, including president and vice-president, as both Keith Oliver’s and Shawn Rhodes’ terms expire at the end of the current Association year.

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2018 USMCCCA ProDev Symposium scored big

First ever, after symposium "HOT WASH" hosted by HQMC and attended by leadership from both the USMCCCA and the Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) to access strengths, weakness and overall effectiveness in the event.

First ever, after symposium “HOT WASH” hosted by HQMC and attended by leadership from both the USMCCCA and the Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) to access strengths, weakness and overall effectiveness in the event.

From the Cherry Point bus tour to the first-ever “conference hot wash” hosted by HQMC and attended by leadership from both the CCs and the Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC), the 2018 USMCCCA Professional Development and Training Symposium threw everything but the kitchen sink at the four-day affair.

The post-op huddle on Thursday morning was chaired by Master Sgt. Jeremy Vought with major input from Immediate Past President Manny Pacheco and current VP Shawn Rhodes. The scrub included the MCRC’s Gunnery Sgt. Justin Kronenberg and Steve Cushman and a handful of our newer CCs representing the NCO and junior officer ranks: Cpl. Bryann Whitley, recently-separated Matthew Callahan, Chief Warrant Officer-1 Bobby Yarbrough and lst Lt. Bryan McDonnell.

“We’re seeking input from all hands to make next year’s event even better,” said National President Keith Oliver.  “Our leadership team was not afraid to try some new wrinkles, and we will keep working with ‘the white board’ in welcoming fresh ideas moving forward.

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