Untitled Document

ITD to launch Emerging Leaders program

Applications for the ITD Emerging Leaders program will open on October 16, 2017. Emerging Leaders is a new leadership development program with the goal of increasing the leadership skills of high-achieving employees who aspire to be future leaders at ITD. The program is set to kick off in January 2018.

Employee development has been a priority since Director Ness arrived in 2010. From leadership classes to Horizontal Career Paths, ITD has initiated development opportunities for employees across the department. The Emerging Leaders program is the next offering.

ITD Emerging Leaders is based on a similar program that Director Ness created while president of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO). That program has received high praise from all 18 WASHTO state participants and leadership, many of them citing the critical role the next generation of leaders will play in solving transportation challenges.

“When I conceived of the WASHTO Emerging Leaders program, I wanted to create an opportunity for future leaders to develop and network,” Ness explained. “I am excited we are going to bring that opportunity here for our employees at ITD.”

We spoke with two ITD employees from that first class of WASHTO Emerging Leaders about the impact the program has had on them and their development.

Jesse Barrus, Operations Manager from District 6, said some highlights of the program include “networking with other professionals, going to WASHTO conferences and trainings, excellent training by ITD’s own training team, and getting to know and hear from CEOs and executives of many of the WASHTO member departments, especially Brian Ness and Brenda Williams from right here in Idaho.”

Todd Hubbard, Engineering Manager in District 4, also said that networking is a valuable part of the program. “Being able to work with and be around the other Emerging Leaders from other states and to hear what they are doing has been motivating to make myself better,” he said.

Pictured right: Barrus and Hubbard, along with Mark Bathrick, also an original member of Idaho's Emerging Leaders in the WASHTO program. Bathrick is now in Washington, D.C. with the Federal Transit Authority.

The ITD Emerging Leaders program will focus on leadership development, solving ITD challenges, and collaboration between ITD’s various districts and divisions. Those employees chosen for the program can expect to be challenged personally and professionally to work harder and smarter in order to develop themselves. The first class of Emerging Leaders will have about 24 participants. Those individuals can expect to learn via classroom training, reading assignments, self-reflection, and experiential activities.

Director Ness is enthusiastic about the possibilities for ITD. “I believe that to be the best transportation department in the country we have to not only produce great results today but also to broaden skill sets and prepare our people to lead the Department through the challenges of tomorrow. The Emerging Leaders program will help us do both.”

To learn more about the program, eligibility and the application process, visit the ITD Emerging Leaders SharePoint page here: http://itdportal/sites/HR/TD/EL/SitePages/Home.aspx