SAN JUAN, P.R. — The South Atlantic Division’s FY26 Leadership Development Program (LDP) participants stepped into a fully immersive leadership laboratory during their April 13-16, 2026, visit to the Corps of Engineers Caribbean District, where four days of training were transformed into a hands‑on practicum in communication, decision‑making, and mission execution in a complex operating environment.
This marks the second LDP class to train with the Caribbean District this year, underscoring how USACE’s newest district is rapidly becoming a hub for leadership development and mission-learning across the South Atlantic Division.
From the opening session, the Caribbean District made clear that leadership development is lived daily by the team. District Commander Col. Charles Decker and Deputy Commander Maj. Ricardo Herrero grounded participants in the district’s mission, cultural context, and operational realities, setting the stage for a week designed to challenge assumptions and strengthen leadership instincts.
The Caribbean District’s Deputy for Programs and Project Management, Jackie Keiser, and district Civil Works Branch Chief Kiomy Lamb followed with an overview of the district’s inception and evolution, framing the visit as “an opportunity to understand how leadership shapes mission delivery in a rapidly growing organization.”
Communication and influence formed a major thread throughout the week. Dr. Michael Evans led multi‑day sessions on communication and assertion skills, while participants delivered book presentations on negotiation, motivation, ambition, and collaboration. These sessions were intentionally structured to prepare the group for the leadership challenges they would encounter in the field.
A highlight of the visit was the participation of Brig. Gen. Ryan C. McDavitt, the deputy commanding general (Support) for the 81st Readiness Division, U.S. Army Reserve. McDavitt spent time with the participants discussing leadership in high‑stakes environments, the importance of adaptability, and how leaders maintain mission focus amid uncertainty. His presence underscored the significance of the LDP program and offered the group a rare opportunity to engage directly with a senior Army leader whose experience spans operational, organizational, and strategic levels.
Throughout the week, the district’s subject‑matter experts transformed the experience into a working classroom. Emergency Management leaders Patricia Fontanet, Marilise Garcia and Johann Sasso walked participants through the infrastructure and coordination required to prepare for and respond to disasters in the Caribbean. Engineering Division expert Jorge Rivera‑Cruz provided insight into design and construction considerations unique to island environments. Senior Project Manager Lyan Garcia led a session on managing change without losing mission alignment – a critical skill in a district where priorities shift rapidly. Leaders from Real Estate, Construction, and Resource Management rounded out the curriculum with operational perspectives that tied leadership decisions to mission outcomes.
Field visits reinforced the week’s lessons. Participants toured the San Fernando Bastion Cliff Stabilization Project, gaining firsthand insight into the engineering and cultural preservation challenges of working in Old San Juan. Later visits to Río de la Plata and Caño Martín Peña highlighted the district’s role in flood risk management, environmental restoration, and community resilience.
These LDP field visits are case studies in leadership, requiring participants to consider stakeholder engagement, resource constraints, safety, and long‑term impacts.
By the end of the week, each participant had engaged in leadership discussions, team‑building challenges, technical briefings, and strategic conversations that tied together the themes of communication, adaptability, and mission‑focused leadership.
“Hosting the LDP participants gave us the opportunity to show what leadership looks like in action,” said Decker. “The Caribbean District is a living laboratory, with a complex, fast‑moving mission set. There is no better place to challenge emerging leaders and help them grow.
“Developing future leaders is one of the most important responsibilities we have. This visit gave participants the tools, context, and confidence to lead in uncertain and demanding environments. I’m proud of the experience our team delivered,” he said.
FY26 Leadership Development Program participants were:
- Elythania Del Coral Diaz-Marrero, Project Engineer, Caribbean District
- Cristina Montenegro, Civil Works Program Manager, Caribbean District
- Nick Warden, Physical Scientist, Charleston District
- Paul Whiteman, Structural Engineer, Charleston District
- Jason Prince, Project Manager, Charleston District
- Dylan Burnell, Acting Chief of Corporate Communications, Charleston District
- Evelyn “Eve” Halliburton, Contracting Officer, Charleston District
- Halis Batista, Procurement Analyst, Charleston District
- Nicolette Campbell, Contract Specialist, Wilmington District
- Stephen Fabian, P.G., Geologist, Wilmington District
- Andrew Clymer, Maintenance Control Specialist, Wilmington District
- Emily Greer, Senior Regulatory Project Manager, Wilmington District
- Elaine Wittry, Natural Resource Specialist, Wilmington District
- Marsha Fuata, Program Analyst, Wilmington District
- Stephen Fabian, Geologist, Wilmington District
- Jimmy Mapp, Logistics Management Specialist, South Atlantic Division