JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. –
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst (LKE) recognized Bill Leach, technical director of NAWCAD LKE’s Mission Operations and Integration Department, for his dedication to the development of future naval aviation leaders during a Jan. 26 virtual ceremony.
Leach received the site’s Mentor of the Year award, which is given to an outstanding mentor during the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Mentoring Program’s annual mentorship recognition event. The award distinguishes Leach for his mentorship accomplishments, including mentee endorsement, depth of professional advice and emphasis on the “greater good.”
“Bill’s dedication to the mentorship program and increased efforts during this difficult time is a key example of an effective and invaluable mentor,” said Kathleen Donnelly, NAWCAD Lakehurst executive director. “Despite the challenges presented by the global pandemic and COVID-19 guidelines, he has maintained consistent communication with his mentees and has played a valuable role in their transition to remote working.”
According to Leach, remote communication brought on by the pandemic has increased the importance of structured meetings and check-ins.
“By keeping up the schedule of monthly meetings, I can provide some level of normalcy for my mentees,” Leach said. “If anything, the pop-up meetings have increased and communication has become more personal. I now start every meeting asking how my mentee and their family is health-wise. It’s vital to acknowledge what is truly important during these times and to care for the individual as much as what they can do for the Fleet.”
NAWCAD Lakehurst Deputy Assistant Program Manager for Logistics (APML) Matthew Pagliaro nominated Leach for the mentorship award after a speed-mentoring event led to their strong mentoring relationship.
“Bill has given me a great deal of good advice… prioritizing tasks, delegating work and balancing work/life were some issues I had experienced trouble with early on,” Pagliaro said. “Through our once a month hourly meetings, Bill has been able to not only point me in the right direction, but refreshingly respect my ability to lead a team and assure me that I am the man for any challenges thrown my way.”
Leach took on the formal role of mentor after years of providing informal guidance to incoming NAWCAD LKE employees. Since joining the program, he has had several carefully chosen mentees.
“Before accepting the role of mentor, I tell everyone that there’s an interview process. They need to know what they are looking for in a mentor and vice versa. I also need to make sure I can have open and honest communication with this person, that way we can get the most out of the relationship,” he said.
According to Leach, the mentoring program at NAWCAD LKE not only benefits his mentees, but has also been personally rewarding.
“Mentorship presents itself as an important benefit to one’s career progression,” Leach said. “It has allowed me to expand my social network and learn about different project teams across Lakehurst, thus furthering my own awareness while fostering others.”
According to Leach, the mutual benefits of a mentoring relationship start early on and can include mentors at any level of one’s career, even throughout early education.
“Mentor is a word. One could use teacher or advocate in its place. It’s not about the title, it’s the job,” Leach said. “My earliest mentor was my seventh grade science teacher, Mr. Harker. He sparked a love of science in me that led me to engineering.”
Leach also noted the impact a mentor’s advocacy and support can have on their mentees’ overall success, attributing his career to Jim Homan, former NAVAIR Fire Protection team lead.
“Jim came in and offered to sponsor me if I joined him on his project. We worked together for only a few years before he left NAVAIR and I assumed his role. It was a leap of faith, and he kept pushing me to better myself, like a mentor should,” he said.
According to Leach, in order to truly utilize the mentorship program, one should always seek mentorship from more than one person throughout all stages of their career.
“Plan to have several mentors in your lifetime. As I tell my four kids - everybody has something to teach you. Your job is to figure out what it is and learn it,” Leach said.
As an advocate for the mentorship program, Leach encourages all Lakehurst employees to participate. “Whether you’re looking to mentor or be mentored, I heartily urge everyone to go out and do it,” he said. “Is it time consuming? Yes. Does it impact your workday? Yes. Is it rewarding? Very. Remember we are a service organization - we serve. Given the opportunity, heed that call.”