MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Randy White, Derby Mayor, visited McConnell to speak at the second Leadership Expo May 16, 2018.
During the expo, White shared experiences that developed him into the leader he is now with more than 50 Airmen.
“He elaborated on his trials, tribulations and successes during his endeavors to lead the community of Derby, expanding on what it takes to be a servant leader,” said Master Sgt. Chris Evans, 22nd Force Support Squadron career advisor. “He is a full-time employee at Spirit and a servant leader for Derby, which speaks volumes. Similarly, as service members we work-full time as well as servant leaders to our Airmen and our community by being professionals and building ourselves through education. I think he captivates that with his efforts - he is leading from the front.”
White began his leadership experience working at Boeing as a CNC programmer and was charged with training others.
Outside of his career, he faced unfamiliar situations that pushed him outside his comfort zone. He offered a lending hand to a church that had extensive hail damage and a lack of direction. White stepped up to the challenge as chairman of the church. Now, he is the Mayor of Derby where his goal is to better the lives of others within the community.
“When you get the opportunity to do the right thing, you do the right thing,” White expressed multiple times throughout the expo to drive his point home.
He summarized with several topics how to be an effective leader: training, develop your style, share the vision, be organized, build your team, follow the proven plan, set the example, work hard, take pride and give others pride.
“The military is really good at teaching themselves, growing ourselves and having our senior leaders grow younger leaders,” said Evans, who organized the event. “However, I am trying to think outside of the box by bringing some community leaders in and allow people at McConnell to grow further by adding another perspective from outside the military. Then we can grow as people. If we grow better people, we have better Airmen.”
The Wichita area, which includes Derby, has proven their devotion to the base and earned the Abilene Trophy in 2017, an award that’s given to the community that has shown the most support to a military installation.
The event is one example of the partnership between the two communities that have strengthened each other.
Each year the Derby Panther football team has a dinner before their first game. Last year, the team invited Col. Josh Olson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, to the dinner to share a meal and stories of playing ball. The next night, the Panthers started their season by honoring the U.S. military with the theme of Patriot Night. Five hundred students dressed head to toe in red, white and blue in support of their country. White saw Olson’s reaction and knew he had a friend for life.
“Derby supports us so much,” said Evans. “They are open armed to McConnell’s military members and civilians.”
Wichita’s Mayor, Jeff Longwell, will be the next Leadership Expo speaker, scheduled for June 18.