LOWELL — On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr., conducted a graduation ceremony for the second cohort of participants in the City Administration’s leadership program. This program, which had its first successful graduating class in the Spring of 2023 with the Department of Public Works, is aimed at developing and facilitating leadership and management skills of Department Heads of the various City agencies. The program is conducted in partnership with Leadership Management International, Inc., (LMI) and Managing Partner Marc Wey.

LMI, founded in 1966, is a world leader in organizational and leadership development, with products and services accessible in over 90 countries. Its purpose is “Developing Leaders and Organizations to their Full Potential.” Working through experienced LMI professionals, the unique LMI development process ensures clients achieve measurable results and an incredible return on investment. LMI’s Total Leader Services are provided by franchise partners and certified facilitators.

The City of Lowell Fall/Winter 2023 graduates of the LMI leadership program include:

• Yovani Baez-Rose, Assistant City Manager and Director of the Department of Planning and Development
• Ting Chang, City Engineer
• Lisa Golden, Director of Health and Human Services
• Kimberly Gagnon, Director of the Senior Center/Council On Aging
• Maura Fitzpatrick, Director of Homelessness
• Eric Lamarche, Director of Veterans Affairs

According to Mr. Wey, “Most managers and team leaders lack the leadership and managerial skills necessary to suit their management positions. For example, many fail to delegate and, as a result, they find themselves working long hours and eventually fighting burnout. Our effective leadership development program helps them motivate people to a higher level of productivity, get more done through time management, learn the art of delegations and giving direction, and develop the potential of employees.”

“This City Council has, time and again, stressed the importance of investing in our most important resource: our employees,” said City Manager Golden. “By providing this leadership training, we are giving our Department Heads and leaders in municipal government the tools to succeed and provide the highest quality services to the residents of the City of Lowell.”