Workplace Advancement Strategies

08/25/2026

Looking for a compact series designed to enhance your leadership skills? Join us in Savannah Ga for Leading with Purpose and Impact. Our next cohort will be on Friday mornings from 9:00 - noon at the Jr. Achievement Discovery Center beginning September 18th. Check it out https://academy.workplaceadvancement.com/courses/leading-with-purpose-and-impact-fall-2026--343b94a1-b985-4e68-9628-a077578b775a/salespage and join us!

08/02/2026

This weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Change of Command ceremony honoring Colonel Wilson's remarkable leadership of the Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Airlift Wing.

Leading more than 1,400 Airmen is an extraordinary responsibility, and Colonel Wilson has done so with unwavering commitment, humility, and purpose. Throughout his distinguished military career, he has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Freedom Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. As a senior pilot with more than 4,500 flight hours across multiple aircraft, his Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal reflect a career dedicated to service and excellence.

While those accomplishments are impressive, what has stood out most to me is his investment in people.

I first had the opportunity to work with Colonel Wilson by providing leadership development workshops for his team during his first two years as Wing Commander. Then came one of the greatest honors of my professional career—when he reinstated the Honorary Commander Program and asked me to serve as the 165th Airlift Wing Honorary Commander. His vision didn't stop there. He expanded the program to include honorary commanders for each of the Wing's 14 squadrons, strengthening the connection between the military and our Savannah community in meaningful ways.

Over the past year, I've been fortunate to speak with him nearly every week, gaining a firsthand understanding of the Wing's missions, accomplishments, and challenges. Those conversations have given me an even greater appreciation for the incredible men and women who serve our nation and for the leader who guided them with integrity, transparency, and genuine care.

His leadership extends far beyond the gates of the Wing. Whether coaching a local high school volleyball team, mentoring a second-grade student each week, serving through Rotary, or supporting countless community initiatives, Colonel Wilson has demonstrated that leadership is measured not only by rank, but by the lives you impact.

Colonel Wilson, thank you for your service, your friendship, and your unwavering commitment to developing leaders and strengthening our community. Savannah is better because of your leadership, and your legacy at the 165th Airlift Wing will continue for years to come.

Congratulations on an exceptional command, and best wishes as you begin your next chapter at the State level.

Welcome back to Savannah Colonel Ronald Alligood. We look forward to your leadership and contributions at the 165th Airlift Wing and in the community.

07/31/2026

As our community marks another Coast Guard Air Station Savannah change of command, I want to congratulate Captain Maegan Schwartz on an extraordinary command and welcome Commander Zach Wiest as he begins this important leadership role.

Over the past two years, Captain Schwartz's leadership has made an incredible impact. Under her command, the men and women of Air Station Savannah logged more than 4,800 flight hours while carrying out 3,280 missions, including 232 search and rescue missions that saved 46 lives. Her team also led operations during hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, and served as the only Coast Guard aircraft responding to the historic flooding in North Carolina, rescuing seven people and one very grateful dog.

While these numbers are impressive, what I'll remember most is getting to know Maegan through our Monday Rotary meetings. Those conversations gave me the opportunity to see the humility, authenticity, and servant leadership behind the uniform. She leads with confidence, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to those she serves.

Thank you, Maegan, for your friendship, service to our nation, our region, and our community. Your leadership has left a lasting legacy.

And to Commander Zach Wiest, welcome to Savannah! I know you are inheriting an exceptional team, and I look forward to seeing the continued impact of Coast Guard Air Station Savannah under your leadership and getting to know you better at our Monday Rotary lunches.

Thank you to the dedicated Coast Guard members who stand ready every day to protect and serve.

07/30/2026

This past year has been one of the greatest honors of my professional and personal life. Serving as the Honorary Commander for the 165th Airlift Wing has given me a front-row seat to witness the dedication, professionalism, and selfless service of the remarkable men and women who serve our nation while remaining deeply connected to our community.

What began as an opportunity to learn about the Air National Guard became a year of gaining a new perspective on leadership, sacrifice, teamwork, and service.

I recently shared my reflections in a new blog—not just about my experience, but about the extraordinary people of the 165th Airlift Wing and why their impact deserves our recognition and gratitude.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to read it:
👉 [A Year of Perspective: Honoring the Men and Women of the 165th Airlift Wing](https://www.workplaceadvancement.com/post/a-year-of-perspective-honoring-the-men-and-women-of-the-165th-airlift-wing?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Please join me in thanking the Airmen of the 165th Airlift Wing for their unwavering commitment to our country and our community.

06/30/2026

It's always inspiring to partner with organizations that invest in both their people and their mission.

Thank you to Hospice Savannah, Inc. for your commitment to developing your team while continuing to provide compassionate care to our community. I had the privilege of facilitating an employee engagement workshop with an incredible group of professionals who were fully engaged, openly shared ideas, and demonstrated a genuine desire to strengthen their workplace culture.

Together, we explored practical strategies to increase engagement, strengthen teamwork, and create an environment where employees feel valued and empowered. I left encouraged by the team's enthusiasm and their commitment to turning ideas into action.

When organizations invest in their employees, everyone benefits—including the people they serve. Thank you, Hospice Savannah, for your dedication to your team and to our community. It was an honor to be part of your journey.

06/25/2026

A big thank you to Darrell Naylor-Johnson and Savannah College of Art and Design for hosting Buy Local Savannah and providing such an engaging look at the incredible impact SCAD has on our community.

From driving economic growth to enriching Savannah's cultural landscape, SCAD continues to shape our city in remarkable ways. One of the highlights of today's presentation was learning more about the tremendous success and international recognition of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival—an event that brings world-class talent and attention to our city each year.

The luncheon at SCAD's stunning high-rise facility overlooking the Talmadge Bridge, downtown Savannah, and the Savannah River made the experience even more memorable. It's inspiring to see an institution that is not only educating tomorrow's creative leaders but also investing so deeply in the future of Savannah.

Thank you, Darrell and the entire SCAD team, for your hospitality and for all you do to make Savannah an even more vibrant place to live, work, and visit.

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

Today we honor the incredible military spouses who serve their families and our country in countless unseen ways. So proud of my daughter, , and the grace, resilience, and love she brings to military life every day.

04/19/2026

As a Business Leader, What You Should Know About the Georgia Air National Guard!

When most people think about the 165th Airlift Wing, they think aircraft and deployments. But I learned the real story is much broader during our trip to the state headquarters. The 165th operates as part of a larger system delivering local, state, national and international impact—including work that directly affects your workforce.

Take the Georgia Air National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.

The fentanyl crisis follows a global supply chain—originating with precursor chemicals produced and incentivized for export in China, moving through criminal networks, and ending up in American communities. This is a documented operational reality.

The scale:
82.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl seized in Georgia last year (more than 7× our state population)

73,000–77,000 overdose deaths nationally in a recent 12-month period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Behind every number is a family, a community, and a workplace—and the Georgia Air National Guard is working to protect all three.

For business leaders, this shows up in:
Workforce availability
Safety and reliability
Healthcare and benefit costs
Family and community stability

This isn’t just a public health issue—it’s a workforce readiness issue.

If you’re a business leader, this is worth your attention. Learn their mission. Engage locally. Support the partnerships that strengthen the workforce you depend on.

Thank you to the Ga Air National Guard, Colonel Sheldon Wilson, Colonel Miller, and the entire team at 165th Airlift Wing that created such an educational experience!

04/03/2026

It was an honor to be part of Civic Leader Day with the 165th Airlift Wing.

We had the privilege of welcoming an incredible group of community leaders to the wing—leaders who shape our region every day through service, business, and civic engagement.

Throughout the day, they gained a deeper understanding of the mission, structure, and the dedicated men and women who serve. They had the opportunity to engage directly with the leadership team, ask questions, and experience firsthand what makes the 165th such a vital part of both our national defense and our local community.

And for many, the highlight? Taking to the skies in a C-130J Super Hercules—an unforgettable experience that brought the mission to life in a powerful way.

Opportunities like this strengthen the connection between our military and the communities they serve. When civic leaders understand the mission, they become even stronger advocates, partners, and champions for those in uniform.

Grateful for the chance to help build those bridges and showcase the incredible work happening at the 165th every day.