BRTC Executive Director of Paragould Operations Priscilla Stillwell, BRTC Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Smith, BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger, Proventus CEO Michael Stern, Proventus Director of Operations Marty Foldes, and Proventus Co-founder and Director of Operations Stephen Barrett
Black River Technical College (BRTC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Proventus to provide leadership development courses designed by members of its team of retired U.S. Navy Seals.
The leadership courses “Heroic Leadership Courses: Harnessing the Navy Seal Strategy for Workplace Excellence” are available to industries and organizations on both the Paragould and Pocahontas campuses. Proventus will also bring the course to you.
BRTC worked with Proventus throughout the summer to form this one-of-a-kind leadership development series. What started as a pilot class became a five-hour connection event in which the Navy Seal presenter, Stephen Barrett, connects professionals to personal experiences and lessons he learned while serving as commander master chief of Seal team four. He helps professionals apply leadership techniques and become more self-aware through stories of his time as a leader and member of an elite team during a time of conflict.
“We are excited about this unique partnership with Proventus in order to bring their Heroic Leadership classes to businesses and industries. This collaboration showcases our commitment to providing our region with the Heroes & Craftsmen needed to excel and lead in today’s ever-changing world,” said BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger.
“The Navy SEALs are legendary in the U.S. military and known worldwide for their team-first organizational mentality. The BRTC faculty, staff, and administration have been intimately involved in all phases of this project, from concept development, funding sources, marketing, and curriculum design,” said BRTC Vice President of Student Affairs. “I am proud of the “Team” effort BRTC put into this project to bring highly decorated combat veterans from one of the most elite organizations in the world to Northeast Arkansas to provide world-class training to business and industry.”
“We are thrilled to partner with BRTC. This collaboration fulfills both our missions—to transform lives by educating and empowering people with tools for success. We’re very pleased to have an opportunity to bring the unique, combat-tested experience and leadership skills of our former Navy SEALs and special operators to BRTC’s learners,” Proventus CEO Michael Stern said. “We are excited to partner with BRTC to deliver world class training in a variety of focus areas and especially grateful of BRTC approaching us to form this special collaboration.” Stern moved to the NEA area from New York.
“I’m very excited about Proventus and BRTC combining our efforts,” Proventus’ co-founder and Director of Operations Barrett said. “I believe is will be mutually beneficial.”
He, his wife Hannah and the couple’s six children recently moved to Northeast Arkansas from Virginia. Hannah said she and the children are enjoying their new home watching sunsets and wildlife from their front porch.
Proventus is a Jonesboro, Arkansas-based company that provides actionable safety and security assessments, emergency action planning, security training, leadership coaching, and consulting. Proventus helps organizations provide the best possible safety and security environments for their employees and operations. Their combat-tested team provides comprehensive safety and security assessments, emergency planning, diverse decision-making education, executive coaching, and individual/small unit armed-response training. For more information, visit www.Proventus.life.
For more information on how to sign your team up for the Proventus Leadership Course – Frontline Leadership: Harnessing the Navy Seal Strategy for Workplace Excellence, contact Executive Director of Paragould Operations Priscilla Stillwell at (870) 239-0969 ext. 5101 or priscilla.stillwell@blackrivertech.edu.