Certificate of Professional Development
The Best Defense

In the 1990s, when the post-Cold War defense industry was undergoing radical transformations, Ed Williams came to Wharton for the Leading Organizational Change program. "We had gone through major and minor organizational changes," said Williams, who is responsible for the 800 buildings operated by Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. The labs, established in 1949, develop science-based technologies that support national security, including technology related to nuclear weapons and homeland security.

At the time, Williams went to the Wharton program, Sandia — which had been operated by AT&T for 45 years — had just been taken over by Martin Marietta. A short time later, that company became Lockheed Martin during a period of rapid consolidation in the defense industry.

Even as his organization and industry were in transition, Williams' own unit was facing new demands for more sophisticated customer service. In addition to his 22 direct reports, he is responsible for meeting the complex facilities needs of the roughly 10,000 workers on site. Many of the buildings are one-of-a-kind laboratories with special equipment and designs and demanding scientists and engineers.

Williams, who had started at Sandia as an apprentice and earned his bachelor's degree and MBA at the College of Santa Fe during his 31 years with the organization, went to Wharton for fresh perspectives. "One of the things that impressed me at Wharton was that half the time when you received a book or article, it was written by the person up front teaching. I feel like I've been with leading-edge thinkers in this area."

After the leadership program, Williams returned to Wharton over the years for programs on diversity, service, and a second leadership program (The Leadership Journey), earning a Wharton Certificate of Professional Development. He was impressed with how much he learned. "Everything was relevant, and the approach really took us out of our comfort zones. It wasn't someone up front preaching. They challenged you, and you had to live this in many ways."

He also learned from classmates. "Their evaluations of the problems I was dealing with gave me some clear insights and options for going forward. The quality of the instructors and other students is amazing."

• Wharton Certificate of Professional Development
  
  
• Leading Organizational Change
  
  
• The Leadership Journey: Creating and Developing Your Leadership

• Wharton Executive Education
  
  
• The Wharton School

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