JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Retired Maj. Gen. Donald Brown, former 62nd Airlift Wing commander, shared his leadership experience at the Lunch and Leadership Lecture Dec. 2 at the McChord Chapel Support Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
This month’s Lunch and Leadership Lecture was called “Leadership over Time” and was about how leadership has changed over different generations.
Brown shared his experiences in the military and spoke about how he’s identified many aspects of leadership displayed by the Airmen he worked with that he didn’t realize during his career.
"Take care of your Airmen,” said Brown. “Make your organization the best it possibly can be.”
Brown spoke to Airmen about the different aircraft he flew during his career, his previous assignments and his time serving in Vietnam. He also touched upon the importance of knowing who the Airmen are you work with.
“Get to know all your people. You might not agree with all of them or like them all but get to know them,” said Brown. “What are the two most important words in Leadership? Thank You!”
Event attendees agreed the information presented by Brown was useful and relatable.
“I liked all of the personal stories and personal accounts,” said Senior Airman Tony Toy, 8th Airlift Squadron loadmaster. “It’s nice that this is a relaxed environment and isn't super formal. I like that they brought in someone with his depth of experience.”
Occurring the first Friday of every month, Lunch and Leadership Lectures provide an informal environment for Airmen to gain leadership advice during lunch. Airmen are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and eat during the sessions.
“The whole purpose of this session is to be very informal,” said Col. Stephen Snelson, 62nd AW vice commander. “We are very fortunate to have General Brown speak. He truly is a mobility statesman.”
Open to all Team McChord personnel interested in leadership related topics, Lunch and Leadership Lectures can be helpful to frontline supervisors and leaders in all positions, said Capt. Nick DeFranco, 62nd AW commander’s action group deputy chief.
To find out more information about future events, call the commander’s action group at: 253-982-7832