HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE 12TH GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT
PROGRAM.
I AM MICHELE NORRIS, LEAP PROGRAM MANAGER.
IT IS MY HONOR TO JOIN YOU TO CELEBRATE THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE “CLASS OF
2020.”
AS WE BEGIN OUR CEREMONY, I ASK THAT IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLAYING OF
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
THANK YOU.
THE 2020 LEAP GRADUATION CEREMONY IS LIKE NO OTHER IN THE PROGRAM’S HISTORY.
OUR GRADUATES ARE THE FIRST TO WEATHER A PANDEMIC.
WE CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR 31 LEAP GRADUATES VIRTUALLY, AND WE HONOR THEM FOR
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THIS YEAR-LONG PROGRAM.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE “CLASS OF 2020”!
JOINING US TO HONOR OUR GRADUATES ARE: • PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL,
RICHARD DONOGHUE, • LEE LOFTHUS, THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
FOR ADMINISTRATION, AND MONTY WILKINSON, DEPUTY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR HUMAN RESOURCES
AND ADMINISTRATION, AND CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER.
THANK YOU TO OUR SENIOR LEADERS FOR TAKING TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SPECIAL EVENT!
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE LEE LOFTHUS, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR
ADMINISTRATION.
THROUGH HIS SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, THE LEAP PROGRAM HAS CONTINUED TO HELP DEVELOP
THE NEXT GENERATION OF DOJ LEADERS.
THANK YOU, MICHELE.
IT IS MY SINCERE HONOR TO BE WITH YOU FOR THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE, THE 2020 GRADUATION
CEREMONY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S TWELFTH LEAP CLASS.
I APPLAUD YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING THE MOST OUT OF THIS IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY.
AMONG THE DEPARTMENT’S MANY STRENGTHS ARE ITS PEOPLE, AND THIS INVESTMENT IN FUTURE
JUSTICE LEADERS IS INVALUABLE.
THE LEAP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP OUR NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS LEARN NEW SKILLS, UNDERSTAND
MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY, AND DEEPEN THEIR COMMITMENT TO DOJ’S MISSION.
THE MORE OUR TALENTED WORKFORCE IS EXPOSED TO NEW IDEAS AND NEW FACETS OF THE AGENCY,
THE STRONGER THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE IN ITS DAILY OPERATIONS.
THROUGH REGULAR FEEDBACK FROM OUR DOJ COMPONENTS, I AM FAMILIAR WITH YOUR HARD WORK AND IMPRESSED
WITH YOUR NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
SOME EXAMPLES OF LEAP INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:
• DEVELOPING MULTIPLE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION’S, HUMAN
RESOURCES DIVISION, RESULTING IN GREATER EFFICIENCIES FOR THE HIRING AND ON-BOARDING OF SPECIAL
AGENTS AND INCREASED MORALE AND RETENTION FOR THE DEA EMPLOYEES WHO PROCESS THESE CRITICAL
APPLICATIONS.
• ADDITIONALLY, MEMBERS OF THE LEAP CLASS PROVIDED DEA WITH STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS
REGARDING HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES, TO INCLUDE THE USE OF CAREER LADDERS, COACHING,
MENTORING, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, CLERICAL,
AND OTHER POSITIONS.
THESE STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS WILL TARGET EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION.
LEAP TEAMS ALSO CREATED AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD PROGRAM FOR THE NATIONAL
SECURITY DIVISION THAT PROVIDES TOOLS TO SUPPORT COLLABORATION, INNOVATION, AND MODERNIZATION.
• AND THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES WAS PROVIDED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE AWARENESS OF EVACUATION PROCEDURES AT ATF HEADQUARTERS.
• THESE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE A REVISED OCCUPANCY EMERGENCY PLAN, TRAINING SLIDES,
NEW SAFETY/SECURITY BROCHURES, AND A NEW OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SECURITY
OPERATIONS INTRANET PAGE.
MOST IMPRESSIVE, THE ATF EXECUTIVE STAFF IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENTED SEVERAL OF THE LEAP PROJECT TEAM’S
IDEAS AND INTENDS TO ADOPT ALL OF THE GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS AS A RESULT OF THE TEAM’S
RESEARCH AND HARD WORK.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS THAT LEAP GRADUATES HAVE MADE
TO THE DEPARTMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR.
GRADUATES, OUR HOPE IS THAT YOUR EXPERIENCES WILL HAVE A LASTING POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOUR
CAREERS, AND MAKE YOU STRONGER LEADERS AS YOU CARRY OUT THE IMPORTANT MISSION OF THE
DEPARTMENT.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE OUTSTANDING SUPPORT FROM DOJ COMPONENTS AND BY JMD’S
HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM.
THROUGH MONTY WILKINSON’S LEADERSHIP AND THE EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROVIDED
BY KRYSTLE MITCHELL, AND MICHELE NORRIS, LEAP
CONTINUES TO BE A SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S SUCCESSION PLANNING INITIATIVE
…SO THANK YOU!
THE LEAP PROGRAM CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A VERY SUCCESSFUL PART OF OUR HUMAN CAPITAL PLANNING
FOR DEVELOPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS.
FROM MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN OBSERVING SUCCESSION PLANNING PROGRAMS ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,
LEAP IS ONE OF THE BEST THAT I HAVE SEEN.
GRADUATES – AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS – WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!
CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK!
AT THIS TIME, IT IS MY HONOR TO WELCOME PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, RICHARD
DONOGHUE.
Thank you, Lee for inviting me to participate in today’s graduation ceremony.
It is a pleasure to participate in this virtual ceremony as we recognize the outstanding achievements,
contributions, and promising careers of the Leadership Excellence and Achievement Program’s
Class of 2020.
This is a special day, and it is a great privilege to formally acknowledge and personally thank
each of the 31 LEAP graduates who have come to embody the Justice Department’s finest
traditions of excellence in public service, and whose leadership will undoubtedly shape
the course of this Department long into the future.
Working closely with Deputy Attorney General Rosen, I know, and see, the difference that
committed public servants make in advancing the critical work of this Department.
This year’s graduates are an essential part of this work, and they are uniquely equipped
to help the Department fulfill its most urgent responsibilities.
To the LEAP Class of 2020 – over the last year, you have been asked to balance your
regular duties with leadership training, challenging developmental assignments, and team projects.
Along the way, you have learned a variety of management techniques that will help you
bring out the best in the talented men and women with whom you serve.
You have also gained valuable insights into the challenges of making sure that this Department
is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible, and that its employees have the
support that they need to fulfill their critical duties.
Each of you was selected for LEAP because of your leadership potential.
The Department chose to invest significant time and resources into helping you further
develop your skills because we know that you will play a critical role in ensuring the
Department meets is mission in the years to come.
By placing our trust in you, we have also put a lot of weight on your shoulders.
So as we gather to celebrate your graduation from this rigorous program, I know I speak
for the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, and our colleagues across every office
and component when I say, “Thank You” for your dedicated service and hard work,
and good luck to you all!
As we move into the future, regardless of whether it is from your current position,
or as you transition into more senior roles within the Department, I ask each of you to
remember what you have learned over the last 12 months, to bear in mind the faith that
we have placed in you, and to keep up the great work.
Especially in a time of evolving global threats, growing demands, and competing resource needs,
the challenges we face have never seemed more daunting, and the decisions we ask our leaders
to make on a daily basis have never been more difficult.
But building the capacity to overcome these obstacles and providing this Department with
the leadership needed to confront the problems that may arise, have also never been more
important.
Let us also take a moment to recognize your families and your colleagues across Justice
who have supported your development this year, by taking on the extra work at home and the
extra duties at work to ensure your success.
A special “thank you” to those who stood behind you in support.
You represent our best efforts to develop the talented, diverse, and skilled workforce
we will need to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
Your work already drives the Justice Department’s pursuit of its most critical mission: protecting
the American people.
As your careers advance, you will increasingly help to determine the steps we will take to
prevent and combat terrorism, to fight crime and corruption, and to make America safer.
You are among some of the most talented and dedicated public servants in federal government
today and your contributions are already bolstering the Justice Department’s work at every level.
As we look toward the future we will build together, I want to assure each of you that
you have, deserve, and can continue to expect my full support.
I am proud to lead such exceptional colleagues, and I am privileged to count each of you as
partners in our Nation’s ongoing pursuit of justice.
Once again, I want to thank you for all that you do, and for the contributions I know you
will continue to make.
Congratulations to the LEAP Class of 2020!
THANK YOU PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL DONOGHUE AND
MR. LOFTHUS FOR YOUR REMARKS AND SUPPORT OF THE LEAP PROGRAM.
NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM OUR CLASS REPRESENTATIVE: JANETH (JAH-NET) HERMAN, FROM THE
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS JANETH HERMAN I HAVE THE GREAT HONOR OF SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE 2020 LEADERSHIP
EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM GRADUATING CLASS.
I SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FROM CLASSMATES.
I WANT TO START BY EXPRESSING A DEEP GRATITUDE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LEADERSHIP AND
PROGRAM SUPPORTERS.
THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE BEEN AFFORDED OVER THE LAST YEAR OF LEAP HAVE BEEN UNIQUE AND
IMPACTFUL.
SPECIFICALLY WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL LEE LOFTHUS, DEPUTY ASSISTANT
ATTORNEY GENERAL MONTY WILKINSON, AND JUSTICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
SHAWN FLINN.
WE ALSO WANT TO EXTEND A HEARTFELT AND GRATEFUL THANK YOU TO LEAP PROGRAM MANAGER MICHELE
NORRIS.
YOUR FLEXIBILITY, CREATIVITY AND KINDNESS ARE LEADERSHIP GOALS WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO
STRIVE FOR THROUGHOUT OUR CAREERS.
LASTLY, THANK YOU TO OUR COACHES, MENTORS, COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, AND OUR FAMILIES.
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT YOU ARE THE BACKBONE OF ANY SUCCESSES WE ACHIEVE.
IT’S INCREDIBLE WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE SPAN OF A YEAR.
JUST LIKE A KID ON THE FIRST DAY AT A NEW SCHOOL, WE WALKED INTO THE 2CON BUILDING WIDE-EYED,
WONDERING WHAT WE HAD GOTTEN OURSELVES INTO, AND HOPING SOMEONE WOULD SIT WITH US AT LUNCH.
FOR MOST OF US IT WAS THE FIRST TIME TO EVER BE IN ONE PLACE WITH SO MANY DOJ COMPONENTS
REPRESENTED AND LISTENING TO EVERYONE’S INTRODUCTIONS WAS HUMBLING.
THIS WAS ALSO THE FIRST TIME WE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF WHAT WOULD BOND US OVER THE NEXT MONTHS.
OUR DESIRE TO BE BETTER.
ALTHOUGH WE MADE THE CUT TO WALK THROUGH THE DOOR, THE REAL WORK WAS ABOUT TO START.
EXPLORING HOW WE SEE, HOW WE ARE SEEN, AND WHERE WE CAN MAKE CHANGES IS A CONTINUING
JOURNEY REQUIRING A COMMITMENT TO HONESTY, VULNERABILITY, AND A DESIRE TO LEAVE SOMETHING
BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT.
NOW I’D IMAGINE THAT THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF LEAP PROBABLY FELL IN LINE WITH PREVIOUS
CLASSES.
WE WORKED OUR WAY THROUGH CONVERSATIONS ON EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, LEADING PEOPLE, AND
EFFECTING CHANGE WHILE ALSO TRYING TO JUGGLE OUR JOBS, DETAILS, SHADOWING ASSIGNMENTS,
AND COMPLETING OUR TEAM PROJECTS.
ALONG THE WAY WE BEGAN TO SHARE WHAT MAKES US TICK AND WHO WE ARE AS PEOPLE.
DISCOVERING THE INTERESTS AND PASSIONS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE WORK WITH BLEW LIFE INTO
NEW FRIENDSHIPS.
PASSIONS SUCH AS TEACHING FAMILY MEMBERS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, SPENDING WEEKENDS BATTLING
ON THE JIU-JITSU MATT, REMODELING CENTURY HOMES, AND SHARING A LOVE FOR PERFECTING CLASSIC
BRITISH DESSERTS HELPED SET US ON A PATH.
BUT WE ALSO SHARED THE ORDINARY MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES.
RAISING FAMILIES, KEEPING UP WITH JOB DEMANDS, AND MANEUVERING THROUGH THE HIGHS AND LOWS
LIFE THROWS AT US.
THIS WOULD BE THE POINT WHERE I COULD SAY 2020 ROLLED IN AND SUCKER PUNCHED US.
IT WOULD BE THE EASY THING TO DO.
BUT EASY IS NOT WHAT WE DO HERE AT DOJ.
WE ACCEPT CHALLENGES.
WE FIND SOLUTIONS.
WE PRESS FORWARD.
WE DO THIS EVERY DAY.
WE DO THIS WITH INTEGRITY.
REMEMBER, THE STANDARD YOU WALK PAST IS THE STANDARD YOU ACCEPT.
AS WE ENTER INTO THE NEXT SEASON OF OUR LIVES, WE DO SO WITH MORE KNOWLEDGE, MORE RESOURCES,
AND MORE TRAINING THAN OUR PREDECESSORS.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DEMAND THE BEST OF DOJ AND WE WILL DELIVER ON THAT PROMISE TODAY
AND INTO THE FUTURE.
I KNOW WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WE CAN CELEBRATE OUR LEAP TIME TOGETHER.
THE LAUGHS, SMILES, AND INSPIRATION WE’VE SHARED HAVE BEEN MISSED.
UNTIL THEN LET’S GET UP, SHOW UP, AND GIVE IT ALL WE’VE GOT.
GOD BLESS.
THANK YOU PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ATTORNEY
GENERAL RICHARD DONOGHUE, FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS GRADUATION CEREMONY, AND ASSISTANT
ATTORNEY GENERAL LOFTHUS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM.
ALSO, THANK YOU JANETH (JAH-NET) FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL REMARKS.
THE EXPERIENCES SHE SHARED ARE AN EXAMPLE OF THE PROFESSIONALISM AND OUTSTANDING WORK
THAT ALL LEAP PARTICIPANTS DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT THIS PAST YEAR.
TO OUR LEAP GRADUATES, YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
YOU HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF EXCITING AND CHALLENGING LEARNING
ACTIVITIES OVER THE PAST YEAR WHILE NAVIGATING EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WAS GOING ON IN YOUR
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES.
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THESE EXPERIENCES WILL CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SUCCESS IN FUTURE LEADERSHIP
AND MANAGEMENT ROLES HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OR WHEREVER YOUR CAREER PATHS MAY
LEAD YOU.
AS WAS ALREADY MENTIONED, THIS YEAR’S CLASS CONSISTS OF 31 EMPLOYEES FROM A VARIETY OF
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS, REPRESENTING 15 COMPONENTS.
YOU CAME TO THE PROGRAM AT VARIOUS STAGES IN YOUR CAREERS—ALL LOOKING FOR A NEW PROFESSIONAL
CHALLENGE.
IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO MEET YOU AT THE START OF YOUR JOURNEY AND TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
A FEW WEEKS AGO TO HEAR YOUR PRESENTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS OF YOUR TIME IN THE PROGRAM.
A HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW LEAP IMPACT PAPERS AND LEARN OF
THE GROWTH AND SELF AWARENESS THAT IS OFTEN EXPERIENCED DURING THE 12 MONTHS IN THE LEAP
PROGRAM.
IT IS MY OBSERVATION THAT THROUGH THIS LAST YEAR, EACH OF YOU HAS GROWN SINCE WE MET AT
ORIENTATION, AND MY IT IS MY HONOR TO WITNESS YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
IT BEARS MENTIONING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN CONFRONTED WITH A FEW UNFORESEEN ISSUES, SUCH AS THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC DURING YOUR PROGRAM YEAR.
YOUR ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES IT CREATED AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE PROGRAM
IS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR COMMITMENT, DETERMINATION, AND PROFESSIONALISM.
THROUGHOUT THE PAST YEAR YOU DEMONSTRATED YOUR DESIRE TO STRETCH YOURSELVES PROFESSIONALLY,
GROW, AND ACQUIRE NEW SKILL SETS.
DURING THE BRIEFINGS ON TEAM PROJECTS, I WAS IMPRESSED WITH YOUR RESOLVE TO COME TOGETHER
AS TEAMS, EACH OF YOU WITH YOUR UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND TALENTS -- TO DEVELOP CONSEQUENTIAL PROPOSALS
TO ADDRESS SIGNIFICANT MANAGEMENT OR OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE SPONSORING COMPONENTS.
YOUR WORK RESULTED IN RECOMMENDATIONS OF TANGIBLE SOLUTIONS TO IMPORTANT ISSUES.
IN ADDITION, I ENJOYED READING YOUR IMPACT PAPERS AND WAS INSPIRED BY THE LEVEL OF SELF
AWARENESS AND DEEP REFLECTION YOU DEMONSTRATED.
A NUMBER OF YOUR PAPERS IDENTIFIED THE IMPORTANT QUALITIES YOU BELIEVE MAKE EFFECTIVE LEADERS
-- AND SOMETIMES YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE QUALITIES EVOLVED AS A RESULT OF OBSERVATIONS
YOU MADE DURING YOUR SHADOWING EXPERIENCES.
MANY OF YOU SPOKE OF REFRAMING PROBLEMS AS CHALLENGES.
MANY OF YOU WROTE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCING DECISIVENESS WITH LISTENING SKILLS,
CONSENSUS BUILDING, AND FAIRNESS.
I WAS ENCOURAGED THAT SEVERAL OF YOU WROTE ABOUT FEELING RE-ENERGIZED IN YOUR CURRENT
POSITIONS AS A RESULT OF HAVING GONE THROUGH LEAP.
SOME OF YOU CAME TO THE REALIZATION THAT YOU MAY NOT WANT A TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP POSITION,
BUT HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW YOU WILL APPLY THE SKILLS YOU DEVELOPED OVER THE PAST YEAR TO
BETTER CONTRIBUTE IN YOUR CURRENT ROLES.
LET ME SHARE WITH YOU THAT THOUGH I HAVE HELD A VARIETY OF LEADERSHIP POSITIONS FOR SEVERAL
YEARS NOW, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I LEARNED AND BENEFITTED FROM READING YOUR IMPACT PAPERS
-- SO THANK YOU.
THIS LEADS TO MY FINAL POINT.
MOST OF YOU THANKED YOUR MENTORS, SPONSORS, AND SUPERVISORS FOR SUPPORTING YOU AND YOUR
PARTICIPATION IN LEAP AND PLEDGED TO PAY IT FORWARD.
I COULDN’T AGREE MORE.
NO MATTER HOW HIGH YOU ASCEND IN YOUR CAREERS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HELPED
YOU AND TO GIVE BACK BY SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE, HELPING, AND MAKING TIME FOR THOSE WHO COME
BEHIND YOU.
THANK YOU!
IT IS NOW TIME TO FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEAP “CLASS OF 2020 GRADUATES.”
EACH OF YOU WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARD ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
MR. WILKINSON: OUR LEAP GRADUATES ARE:
CHRISTIAN AANONSEN BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES
BENJAMIN ADAMS OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS
GREGORY AUL DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
BRIAN AVERILL CRIMINAL DIVISION
ERIC BERKEY JUSTICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
MICHELLE CAMERON U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE
MICHAEL CHANG OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
EVE EISENBISE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES
ERICA ESPINOSA EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW
GEORGE FACHNER COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICE
JANETH HERMAN U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE – NORTHERN DISTRICT
OF OHIO
STEVEN HERTZOG FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DAVID HUDSON OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
EDWARD KOVACS DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
JANE KWOK JUSTICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
AMY LEFFLER OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS
SINGSOPHA LINTHAVONG FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
ADAM LYONS CIVIL DIVISION
KAREN MCCOLMAN NATIONAL SECURITY DIVISION
ASHLEY MCDONALD CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION
ALEXANDRA MONTERO OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
MARGARET O’HERRON EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW
RODNEY PATTON NATIONAL SECURITY DIVISION
MAURA (MORE-HA) PETERSON JUSTICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
CHARLES EDWARD PHILLIPS COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE
JOHN SANDERS EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW
DANIEL SCHWEI CIVIL DIVISION
DORRETHA SMITH DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
MARY ELIZABETH STRATTON EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR U.S. ATTORNEYS
NEIL WAKEMAN JUSTICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
AND
AMANDA SCHLAGER (SH-LAY-GER) WICK CRIMINAL DIVISION
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES OF THE LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM, “CLASS
OF 2020.”
MS.
NORRIS: IT HAS BEEN A TRUE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR YOUR CLASS.
WE STARTED LEAP AS STRANGERS, AND THROUGH CAMARADERIE AND PERSEVERANCE, WE ARE FINISHING
THIS YEAR AS TEAMMATES, COLLEAGUES, AND FRIENDS.
DURING THE YEAR YOU FACED UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE WHILE OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
WITH GRACE AND POISE.
YOUR CONTINUOUS DISPLAY OF STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION IS A TRUE
REFLECTION OF YOUR CHARACTER.
YOU ALWAYS STRIVED FOR ACHIEVEMENT-OF- EXCELLENCE AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND ALWAYS MAINTAINED
THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE.
AS A CLASS, YOU PROVIDED AN INTELLECTUAL ATMOSPHERE CONDUCIVE TO THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS USING SYNERGISTIC
INFLUENCE FOR LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE OVERALL LEAP LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
THE CLASS MOMENTUM, ENTHUSIASM, AND PRIDE DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR IS A TRUE
REFLECTION OF YOUR COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVING A PINNACLE OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE.
THE SINGULARLY DISTINCTIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR EACH OF YOU REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON
YOURSELF AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE AND I AM EXCITED FOR THE PROMISING
OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AHEAD OF YOU.
LASTLY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRONG PERSONAL COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, AND GENUINE
INTEREST IN BUILDING AN EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY OF POWERFUL LEADERS.
IN CLOSING OUR CEREMONY TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO JOINED US FOR THIS SPECIAL
EVENT.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATES.
WE REALIZE THAT YOU ARE THE SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THESE GRADUATES
TO COMPLETE THIS DEMANDING PROGRAM.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL DONOGHUE,
LEE LOFTHUS, AND MONTY WILKINSON FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF THIS PROGRAM, AND
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS VIRTUAL CEREMONY.
FINALLY, THANK YOU, TO THE DOJ COMPONENTS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS HUMAN CAPITAL
SUCCESSION PLANNING PROGRAM.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR LEAP GRADUATES AND THEIR NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS.
(LEAD APPLAUSE)
AT THIS TIME, PLEASE ENJOY THE CLOSING SLIDE SHOW OF SPECIAL MOMENTS OF THIS YEAR’S GRADUATES.
MS. NORRIS: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SHARING THIS SPECIAL OCCASION!
CONGRATULATIONS LEAP “CLASS OF 2020”!
THIS CONCLUDES OUR CEREMONY, THANK YOU!