COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute’s fifth cohort graduated April 10, 2025, following the completion of its final session in College Station.
The leadership institute offers a constructive and inspiring learning environment, enabling opportunities for personal and professional growth by giving participants access to tools and speakers to strengthen their leadership skills.
“The institute rallies existing and emerging leaders within the fields of natural resources and emergency management to increase their capacity and ability to enact meaningful change throughout Texas,” said Leighton Gibson, Texas A&M Forest Service Marketing and Communications Manager.
The class included 24 nonprofit professionals, fire chiefs, conservation coordinators and business owners from across the state.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity that has challenged and encouraged me,” said Kim Williams, the H. E. Butt Foundation and cohort five graduate. “The speakers, staff and fellow participants created an atmosphere where we each found our strength and voices as leaders.”
The leadership institute offers training and professional development to members of organizations that support the Texas A&M Forest Service mission while building capacity and cohesion within working alliances of other entities who serve our same customers.
Over seven months, the class participated in two, three-day training sessions, monthly lunch and learns, networking opportunities and course activities.
“The institute helped me identify my strengths and taught me that focusing on those is more productive than dwelling on my weaknesses,” said Larry Wilkinson, Spring Fire Department and cohort five graduate. “The instructors facilitated an excellent environment to talk about real leadership issues while offering new ideas and best practices.”
One key to success for the institute is dynamic and engaging speakers. In the final session, participants heard from Dr. Thomas Easley about principles for challenging engagement, Dr. Steven Beebe about conflict resolution, Amy Hays about generational learning and Frank Keck about coaching.
Each year, the leadership institute aims to continue to grow and support local leaders while increasing the network of natural resource professionals across the state.
To learn more about the Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute, the speakers and how to participate, visit https://tfsfrd.tamu.edu/TFSLeadershipInstitute/.
