VTCA’s Emerging Leaders Peer Group Set to Launch Enhanced Program

VTCA’s Emerging Leaders Peer Group Set to Launch Enhanced Program

New Members Solicited to Join Program in July

VTCA’s Leadership Committees are soliciting interested individuals for the Alliance’s Emerging Leader Peer Group (ELPG) for the 2025-2027 class. In addition to participants serving on their respective membership leadership committee, VTCA has expanded the program through a partnership with Innerwill Leadership Institute to deliver eight unique professional and personal development sessions.

The program is designed for professionals in the early to mid-stage of their careers. Ideal candidates are member employees who have recently taken leadership roles and responsibilities within their organization or have experience that places them on a trajectory leading to greater responsibility within their organization.

VTCA’s success is based on a solid foundation of delivering value to its members. This unique program is only for VTCA members and is not available anywhere else. Sponsorship and tuition allow VTCA to deliver and maintain high-quality training and events tailored to our member contractors, consultant engineers, aggregate producers, suppliers, and services. The participant tuition for the 24-month program is $2,000 for the full two-year program.

Contact your VTCA program manager to learn more about the program, eligibility, and how to participate. 

• Aggregate Producers – Rob Lanham
• Engineers and Associates – Kevin McGhee
• Contractors – Tom Witt

More about the Program

Program Features

The program offers a two-year leadership development experience from July 1st to June 30th. In addition to serving on their respective membership leadership committees, participants will engage in eight specialized in-person experiences over the 2-year program. The program also encourages participation in other VTCA events and offers discounted registration for VTCA’s annual meeting to promote broader organizational involvement.

Program Objectives

The program promotes professional and personal development, facilitates a deep understanding of VTCA's governance and mission, builds professional cross-industry connections, and cultivates essential leadership skills. It also promotes professional growth and organizational commitment by encouraging active participation in Alliance activities to create new connections and career growth.

Session Descriptions

• Orientation & Individual Leadership - During the kick-off orientation, participants will get an overview of the ELPG program and expectations, learn about VTCA’s purpose, objectives, structure, and events, and develop meaningful relationships with the other participants. They will also explore the five practices of Values Based Leadership – Building Awareness, Realizing Potential, Developing Relationships, Taking Action, and Practicing Reflection – and identify the core values and beliefs that influence their behaviors, decisions, relationships, and ultimately effectiveness. The session includes the personality instrument Insights ® Discovery – a tool that helps participants to identify their personal style and that of others. Participants will explore personality style as a key leadership tool, learning communication preferences and how to connect and inspire others through their unique leadership style.
• Political Advocacy - This session will help participants better understand the importance of VTCA political advocacy. VTCA’s lobbyists will outline VTCA’s engagement with the General Assembly, interaction with legislators, and the role VTCA members play in developing strong, trusting relationships with lawmakers. This session typically includes a Capitol and General Assembly Building tour.
• Leading Teams - In this workshop, participants will learn how to approach team development holistically and inclusively. This workshop will help leaders identify how to assemble structure and ultimately manage teams to their highest levels of potential while exploring and analyzing business continuity challenges and best practices for successfully leading strategy in alignment with culture to achieve business objectives.
• VDOT District Operations – ELPG members will visit one of VDOT’s District offices for a behind-the-scenes tour and interaction with senior District Leadership. Learn about their roles and responsibilities and the District’s role in keeping Virginia moving.
• Leading the Organization – During this workshop, participants will explore the five practices of Values-Based Organizations: Taking Stock, Clarifying Culture, Choosing to Lead, Engaging Everyone, and Aligning Actions. They will discuss the idea that adaptability is key to innovation. They will learn how to respond flexibly and creatively to constantly changing, and often unpredictable, environments by cultivating a growth mindset. Participants will then assess their organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and synthesize market trends and customer data to develop a plan and vision to deliver value for all stakeholders.
• VDOT Structure/Operations - This session focuses on how the third-largest state transportation program in the country operates. Part 1: Where does the money come from? This part of the session will explore VDOT’s complex financial system, funding sources, and how funds are allocated to projects. Part 2: Meet VDOT’s senior leadership. Learn from VDOT’s top leadership what drives their decisions, explore their roles, and personal perspectives on the skill sets that lead them along their career paths.
• Group Choice - This session will be determined based on the trajectory and preferences of the peer group. Potential topics include:
  • Innovation - Using Caterpillar’s partnership with Luck Companies to deploy their first autonomous solution as a case study, the cohort will learn how to build the necessary culture, skills, and processes to drive innovation and growth.
  • Strategic Thinking - The cohort will learn how to assess their organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as well as synthesize market trends and data while identifying how to develop a strategy that delivers organizational growth and value.
  • Leading Change - The cohort will learn how to lead individuals, teams, and organizations by striking a balance between courage and compassion and will be provided with a proven model for managing change. Participants will identify a specific organizational change they anticipate, and the facilitator will guide them through their change strategy.
• Graduation & Celebration – Celebrate the successful completion of the 24-month program.

Program Tuition: VTCA’s success is based on a solid foundation of delivering value to its members. The program is supported by tuition and sponsorships, enabling VTCA to keep costs low compared to comparable programs. Participant Tuition is $2,000 for the full 2-year program.