News Story Archive

Local son returns to the District with inspiring message

public affairs
Published Aug. 21, 2018
(L-R): Lt. Col. Orlando Chavez; Rose Chavez, ACE-IT operations officer; Albuquerque District Commander Lt. Col. Larry Caswell, Jr., Aug. 1, 2018, after Lt. Col. Chavez shared his leadership philosophy with the District's LDP I class.

(L-R): Lt. Col. Orlando Chavez; Rose Chavez, ACE-IT operations officer; Albuquerque District Commander Lt. Col. Larry Caswell, Jr., Aug. 1, 2018, after Lt. Col. Chavez shared his leadership philosophy with the District's LDP I class.

Lt. Col. Orlando Chavez shares his leadership philosophy with LDP 1 class members at the District's headquarters, Aug. 1, 2018.

Lt. Col. Orlando Chavez shares his leadership philosophy with LDP 1 class members at the District's headquarters, Aug. 1, 2018.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – “Be the leader that you have always wanted to follow!”

These were some of the words of leadership wisdom passed along by a local son and leader during a talk for the Leadership Development Program Level 1, Aug. 1, 2018. And words of wisdom they were.

Lt. Col. Orlando Chavez is the Commander of the 344th Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, Texas. Chavez is the son of District employee, and very proud mother,
Rose Chavez, operations officer with the District’s IT section.

Lt. Col. Chavez spent part of his early school years at the District. Working under the Stay-in-School program, Chavez had the opportunity to work both in Logistics and Information Management.

The views Chavez shared about leadership seemed unique and refreshing. His message centered around a leader having compassion, and showing care for his troops.

“Your troops don’t care how much we (the leaders) know, until they know how much we care,” shared Chavez. Other ideas he shared were: “I trust you to take risks” and “Don’t be afraid to fail; if you fail, fail forward.”