Flying Jets to Leading Others (Cathy McClain - Dauntless Leadership) [Re-release]

Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator

Through her long career in the Air Force, Cathy McClain has seen a lot of exciting things. But what she has found is an intense appreciation and love for the people she has been around. Now retired from her military career, she shares with Don and Ebony how she serves people by helping them become the most effective leaders they can be. On this episode we discuss:Developing leadership strengths

• The belief of parents
• Writing to her congressman and getting into the Air Force Academy
• The gem that Wichita is
• The hunger people have to lead others more effectively
• The experience of flying tankers in the Air Force
• Supporting high stakes, high stress leaders
• The small city of McConnell Air Force Base
• How to support the military members in our community

Learn more about Dauntless Leadership:

LinkedIn Profile

Cathy specializes in executive leadership coaching and holds an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach credential. She received her training at Georgetown University and has coached CEOs and senior leaders serving in governmental, non-profit, and public sector positions. As a Center for Creative Leadership coach, Cathy works with clients at all levels to include the prestigious Leadership at the Peak program. She also coaches for Avenue 8 and Enlighteneering. With Enlighteneering, Cathy joined the initial cadre of coaches working with the U.S. Army as part of the new command selection process. Debriefing EQi2.0 is a key component of this Army coaching. Cathy is certified in Hogan Assessments, the Workplace Big 5, and the FIRO-B.

From 2012 - 2016, she was the Program Director, Business and Regional Jet Programs at Spirit AeroSystems. She was responsible for execution of the Rolls-Royce BR75, the Bombardier C-Series and Mitsubishi Regional Jet Pylon programs.

Prior to this, Cathy was the Director, Program Management Center of Excellence. In this role, she worked with Spirit's new programs teams across the global enterprise with the responsibility to promote program management best practices through direct coaching, training and execution support.

From 2007 - 2012, Cathy was a senior program manager for The Boeing Company, holding two positions. First as Program Manager, B-52 Sustainment where she was responsible for the profit, loss, and execution for weapons system integration on the B-52 bomber. Next, she was Program Manager, Air Refueling Systems, responsible for executing software development for the KC-46A air refueling system. Concurrently, Cathy managed a subcontract with L-3 Communications which modified fan cowls, engine cowls, and struts as part of a KC-135 to RC-135 aircraft conversion program.

Cathy is retired from the Air Force with 25 years of service. During her Air Force career she piloted the KC-135, T-37B and the UV-18. She also commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. Cathy deployed on numerous occasions in support of the Global War on Terror. During Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, she commanded an air refueling group supporting B-52s over Afghanistan. She also commanded a deployed operations group performing four different aircraft missions during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Cathy also deployed as the Deputy Director of Mobility Forces, directing mobility assets in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. Her staff assignments include her tours as an assistant professor and executive officer in the Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership at the US Air Force Academy; as Chief, Deployment Division, US Transportation Command; and as Director, Air Force General Officer Management Office, Washington, D.C.

Cathy graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in General Engineering. She earned her master's degrees from Webster University (Human Resources Development), University of Texas at Austin (Social Psychology), College of Naval Command and Staff (National Security and Strategic Studies) and the Air War College (Strategic Studies). Cathy also attended the Senior Executive Fellows course hosted by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Additionally, she trained at the Center for Creative Leadership.

Cathy is the past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, a Trustee of the Falcon Foundation, and is a member of the East Wichita Rotary Club, Friends of McConnell, and the Ninety-Nines.

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