Political Leadership Academy for Decisive Public Leaders

Steven B. Wiley serves as President of the Lincoln Leadership Institute, where he has spent over 25 years pioneering experiential leadership development at America's most iconic historic battlefields. Recognized by ABC News as 'the best speaker you've never heard of,' Steven is celebrated for his dynamic, transformative presentations that bring timeless leadership principles to life for executives and high-potential leaders. Under his leadership, the Institute has served more than 25,000 Fortune 1000 and public sector clients and transformed over 40,000 leaders worldwide. Steven's approach combines historical immersion with practical, immediately applicable frameworks, equipping modern organizations to perform and produce in rapidly changing, high-stakes environments.

Dr. Jared Peatman serves as Director of Curriculum at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, where he designs and delivers leadership development experiences across a wide range of historic sites. A graduate of Gettysburg College, he holds a master's degree from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Dr. Peatman is the author of 'The Long Shadow of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address' (2013) and was honored as a 2009 OAH/Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Doctoral Fellow, receiving the 2012 Hay-Nicolay Dissertation Prize. He holds a Certificate of Achievement in Experiential Education from the National Society for Experience Education and is certified to deliver EQ-i2.0 and EQ360 Emotional Intelligence Assessments, bringing rigorous academic depth and practical expertise to every program.

Ron Bailey serves as Director of Development at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, bringing a distinguished background in corporate leadership and business strategy to the organization. A graduate of Amherst College and a former IBM executive, Ron brings decades of experience in strategic planning, executive management, and business development to support the Institute's growth and client partnerships. His deep corporate expertise allows him to align the Institute's leadership programs with the real-world challenges facing Fortune 1000 companies and public sector organizations. Ron's commitment to delivering measurable value ensures that every client engagement is thoughtfully designed to achieve meaningful and lasting results.

Dr. Judy Morley is a distinguished faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, serving as a Historian and Leadership Expert. Holding a Ph.D. in the History of the American West, she is an accomplished author, entrepreneur, and speaker who bridges the gap between historical leadership lessons and contemporary organizational challenges. Dr. Morley's engaging teaching style and deep historical expertise allow her to draw powerful, practical insights from the past and translate them into actionable frameworks for today's business leaders. Her published works on American Western history and leadership further establish her as a leading voice in experiential and values-based leadership development.

Dr. Judith Glassick serves as Research and Design Specialist at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, where she applies rigorous academic methodology to the development of evidence-based leadership curricula. She holds degrees from the University of Richmond and Catholic University, and earned her doctorate from the University of Southern California. Dr. Glassick specializes in designing research-grounded leadership development programs and conducting studies on leadership effectiveness, ensuring that the Institute's offerings are both academically credible and practically impactful. Her work is central to maintaining the high standard of curriculum quality that has earned the Lincoln Leadership Institute recognition from major media outlets and academic partners alike.

Dennis Owens is a faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, bringing more than 30 years of television broadcast journalism experience and 15 Emmy Awards to the organization. As a distinguished political reporter and communication expert, Dennis provides leaders with unique, real-world insights into political communication, media relations, and crisis communication strategies. His extensive on-air career has given him an unparalleled understanding of how leaders communicate under pressure, make decisions in the public eye, and build credibility with diverse audiences. Dennis's expertise adds a compelling and practical dimension to the Institute's leadership programs, helping participants sharpen their communication and influence skills.

General James Anderson is a distinguished faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, contributing senior military leadership and strategic expertise to the organization's programs. With a career defined by principled decision-making, long-term strategic vision, and mission-focused leadership, General Anderson brings the highest level of military leadership experience to corporate and government leaders. His teachings emphasize the importance of adapting to rapidly changing circumstances while maintaining clarity of purpose and integrity. General Anderson's insights are particularly valuable for leaders navigating complex organizational environments where high-stakes decisions must be made under pressure and uncertainty.

Admiral Scott Moore is a retired Navy Rear Admiral and faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, bringing elite military leadership expertise to the organization's immersive programs. A graduate of the Air Academy Class of 1978, Admiral Moore dedicated over 30 years to Naval Special Warfare, accumulating an extraordinary depth of experience in high-stakes leadership, strategic operations, and team performance. His distinguished career in special operations provides participants with powerful, firsthand insights into leading under extreme pressure, building cohesive teams, and developing the decisiveness required of exceptional leaders. Admiral Moore's contributions to the Institute help bridge the gap between elite military leadership and modern organizational excellence.

Dave Cooper is a faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute and a US Navy SEAL since 1988, bringing decades of elite special operations leadership experience to the organization's programs. His career in Naval Special Warfare has equipped him with a profound understanding of high-performance teamwork, leadership under extreme adversity, and the mental and moral fortitude required to lead in life-or-death situations. Dave translates these hard-won lessons into powerful, actionable insights for corporate and government leaders, helping them build the resilience, courage, and decisive leadership capabilities needed to thrive in demanding environments. His presence on faculty reflects the Institute's commitment to world-class, battle-tested instruction.

Colonel (Ret.) Mark Erwin is a faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute with over 25 years of distinguished service in the US Army. Having served as Chief of Staff of US Army Special Operations Command, Colonel Erwin brings exceptional expertise in military leadership, strategic operations, and organizational management to the Institute's programs. His career at the highest levels of special operations leadership gives him unique insights into building high-performing teams, executing complex missions, and developing leaders who excel under pressure. Colonel Erwin's experience translates directly into practical frameworks that help corporate and government leaders navigate strategic challenges and drive results in their organizations.

Joseph E. Mieczkowski is a Licensed Battlefield Guide and faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, combining decades of federal executive experience with deep historical knowledge of the Gettysburg battlefield and the Civil War era. A graduate of Salem College and Penn State University, Joseph brings a rare combination of academic rigor, practical leadership insight, and authoritative historical expertise to the Institute's programs. As a retired federal executive, he understands firsthand the challenges of leading large organizations through change and uncertainty. His battlefield tours and leadership facilitation create an immersive, compelling experience that connects historical decisions to the leadership challenges participants face in their own organizations.

Fran Feyock is a Licensed Battlefield Guide and faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, bringing a distinctive combination of healthcare executive leadership and deep historical knowledge to the organization's programs. A retired Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (C.R.N.A.) and former Executive Director of a Surgical Service Line, Fran has spent her career leading high-stakes teams in demanding medical environments. Her experience managing critical care and surgical operations provides her with powerful, real-world perspectives on decisive leadership, team cohesion, and performance under pressure. As a Licensed Battlefield Guide, Fran connects the leadership lessons of historic battlefields to the challenges faced by leaders across industries.

Brad Alge is a Leadership Expert and faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, bringing extensive experience in executive coaching, team development, and organizational consulting to the organization's programs. His work spans a broad range of industries and organizational contexts, equipping him to address the unique leadership challenges that corporate leaders encounter at every level. Brad's approach emphasizes practical skill-building, self-awareness, and the development of high-performing teams that can sustain results over time. His contributions to the Institute's programs help participants translate the powerful lessons of historic battlefields into concrete leadership strategies they can apply immediately within their own organizations.

Kelly Garret is a Leadership Development Specialist and faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, bringing deep expertise in organizational psychology, executive coaching, and team dynamics to the Institute's programs. His background equips him to help leaders develop greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the interpersonal skills essential for effective leadership in complex organizations. Kelly's emphasis on understanding human behavior and motivation provides participants with a nuanced perspective on how to inspire, influence, and develop the people around them. His contributions enhance the Lincoln Leadership Institute's holistic approach to leadership development, ensuring participants leave with both strategic insights and the personal growth tools needed to lead with confidence.

Jari Villanueva is a Military Heritage Expert and faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, specializing in ceremonial military traditions and American military history. His deep knowledge of military heritage and its symbolic significance enriches the Institute's battlefield-based leadership experiences, offering participants a profound appreciation for the sacrifices and leadership legacies that shaped American history. Jari's expertise brings a distinctive and meaningful dimension to the Institute's programs, connecting the ceremonial and cultural traditions of military service to the broader themes of courage, honor, and values-based leadership. His contributions help participants develop a deeper respect for the leadership principles embedded in America's military heritage.

Bob Prosperi is a Leadership Instructor and faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, contributing practical leadership expertise to the organization's immersive, battlefield-based learning experiences. With hands-on experience facilitating leadership development in challenging, high-engagement environments, Bob excels at guiding participants through the Institute's experiential programs and helping them draw meaningful, actionable insights from historic battlefields. His approachable and engaging facilitation style creates an environment where leaders at all levels feel challenged and inspired to grow. Bob's commitment to experiential learning and practical application makes him a valued member of the Institute's faculty team, dedicated to delivering transformative outcomes for every participant.

Dave Williams is a Distinguished Professor and faculty member at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, serving as a professor at the Schar School of Government and Policy at George Mason University. His academic expertise in government, public policy, and institutional leadership brings a rigorous and research-informed perspective to the Institute's programs. Dave's deep understanding of how policy decisions shape organizations and communities provides participants with valuable context for navigating the intersection of leadership, governance, and public accountability. His contributions to the Lincoln Leadership Institute enrich its curriculum with scholarly depth, helping leaders in both the public and private sectors develop a more sophisticated understanding of the broader forces that shape organizational performance.

Scott Avellino Jr. serves as Client Relationship and Event Coordinator at the Lincoln Leadership Institute, where he helps clients and teams plan, coordinate, and execute leadership programs from start to finish. His meticulous attention to detail and commitment to delivering seamless program experiences ensure that every participant can focus fully on the transformative learning the Institute provides. A Civil War Living Historian since 2010, Scott brings authentic historical passion to his work, literally bringing history to life on the battlefield. His unique combination of event management expertise and deep personal connection to Civil War history makes him an invaluable member of the Institute's team and a genuine asset to every program he supports.