This year, the Forest Service participated in 29th National Leadership Training Program hosted by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) in the Southern Region in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 4-8, 2014. The theme of the conference was “Diverse Leadership + Expanding Opportunity: An Imperative for America.” Since 1985, FAPAC has worked to represent the interest of more than 163,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) employees in the federal government. As a key partner of FAPAC, the Forest Service continues to support the mission to advance the APA community and improve access to the federal government. U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief, Leslie Weldon was a keynote speaker providing opening remarks, which included describing the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Agency. FAPAC is an organization that provides a focus for over 30 ethnically distinct groups originating from Asian and Pacific regions, as recognized by the United States Bureaus of Census. Its mission is to promote equal opportunity and cultural diversity for APAs within the Federal and District of Columbia governments. It also promotes partnership with public and private sectors in the community it serves. FAPAC presented the Forest Service with a national award in recognition of support for their organization and its mission. Washington Office and Region 8 employees Elizabeth Berger (WO), Deidre Smith (R8), Deborah Walker (R8) and Steven Dickerson (R8) served as presenters for two workshops, including “Women Leading Change through the Forest Service” and “Emotional Intelligence.” Forest Service employees also participated in the USDA Pre-conference forum. During the conference, Forest Service employees Renardo Knight, Kim Rust, Melissa Sanders, and Deborah Walker from the Uwharrie National Forest & Grandfather National Forest in North Carolina staffed the Forest Service Job Fair exhibit booth and provided information about the Forest Service and career opportunities. During the job fair approximately 88 participants visited the booth. A total of 10 Forest Service employees participated in the FAPAC National Leadership Training Program this year.
For more information on FAPAC, please visit their website at www.fapac.org or contact your Civil Rights staff.
APAEA NEWS 