My Leadership Training
Naturally, the most important leadership training, for me, has taken place on the job in various positions, management courses, and professional development during my 30-year career. In addition, my MBA studies included variety of classes and projects in learning and practicing leadership, management, and organizational behavioral theories. Before my professional career, however, I received excellent leadership training and extremely valuable hands-on experience during military service and early in school as a student leader.
Military Leadership
I served in the Finnish Air Force Technical Division during 1985 – 1986, and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. During my service, I was trained to lead technical units in maintenance and operation of aircraft in fighter squadrons. I also commanded a class of 100 ea. non-commissioned officer students in training. During this time, I earned awards for excellent military service, fairness as a commanding officer, as well as many performance-related honors.
Student Leadership
As a student, I held numerous leadership positions such as high school class president, secretary and chairman of senior high school student council, president of all high school graduates in the county, chairman of board of non-commissioned officer students, and secretary of Exergia (college activity club). In college, I was elected to become the Tampere University of Technology Ambassador to the United States earning full scholarship for my MBA degree at Virginia Tech, during which time I also served as the president of Virginia Tech Nordic Club.
Military Leadership
I served in the Finnish Air Force Technical Division during 1985 – 1986, and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. During my service, I was trained to lead technical units in maintenance and operation of aircraft in fighter squadrons. I also commanded a class of 100 ea. non-commissioned officer students in training. During this time, I earned awards for excellent military service, fairness as a commanding officer, as well as many performance-related honors.
Student Leadership
As a student, I held numerous leadership positions such as high school class president, secretary and chairman of senior high school student council, president of all high school graduates in the county, chairman of board of non-commissioned officer students, and secretary of Exergia (college activity club). In college, I was elected to become the Tampere University of Technology Ambassador to the United States earning full scholarship for my MBA degree at Virginia Tech, during which time I also served as the president of Virginia Tech Nordic Club.
