Voyagers Program 

The ACT-IAC Voyagers Program is a leadership development program for "rising stars" in both government and industry who have a high potential for future advancement. 2010 heralds the fifth class for this exceptional program that continues to build on its past success as well as that of the ACT-IAC IT Partners Program. The objective of the program is to prepare mid-level managers for their future roles in industry and government. Each prospective program participant must be nominated by his or her respective company or agency sponsor, complete this application, and be selected for the program by a panel of senior executives from government and industry.

• Be a federal employee (Grade 11-13) who is involved with IT management, program implementation, development, or acquisition. Newly-promoted GS-14s will also be considered.
• Have a well-rounded background in their discipline and/or career within their agency.
• Be considered a "rising star" in his or her agency.
• Be unencumbered by long-term and/or time-consuming commitments, such as graduate programs, military service, or sabbaticals.
• Be willing to dedicate one or two days per month for ACT-IAC Voyager activities between October 2009 and June 2010.

An Industry participant should:

• Be recognized as a mid-level leader working as a project manager, contracting specialist, customer service representative, or other key role in their respective IAC member company. Seven plus years of relevant experience as part of this community is preferred. Have experience across a broad range of business activities, including program/project management, financial management, procurement, or marketing.
• Be unencumbered by long-term and/or time-consuming commitments, such as graduate programs, military service, or sabbaticals.
• Be willing to dedicate one or two days per month for ACT-IAC Voyager activities between October 2009 and June 2010.

Course Curriculum

Both Industry & Government participants will complete a set of requirements as part of a personal program or "Flight Plan" during the program (October to June) which will include:

• Developing a Voyager Breakfast Panel to discuss a leadership development issue around the five government Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Four Voyagers will work together as a "Flight Crew" to develop the Breakfast Panel.
• Attending all the scheduled Voyager Breakfasts (once a month for 5 months).
• Attending one IAC (or other association) meeting with your co-pilot.
• Having at least one lunch with your Voyager co-pilot outside of other required meetings.
• Attending both Voyager Offsite events (3 days each in November and May).
• Attending both ACT-IAC Fellows educational/mentoring events.
• Selecting a mentor from the Partner Alumni and meet with them once a month.
• Meeting twice during the Program year with your Program Group/Flight Crew outside of scheduled events to plan for programs..
• Be an active participant at the Management of Change Conference (MOC)

(cost for conference and two nights lodging included in the program training fee).

Once selected, government participants will be asked to contribute a one-time registration fee of $3,195. The fee for industry participants will be $3,695. This fee will cover all the costs of the program, including the costs for food, lodging and programming for two local (driving distance) off-site meetings, breakfast meetings and team-building events, and conference registration fee and two nights lodging at ACT’s Management of Change Conference (within driving distance).

Application Schedule:

The application process opens in May and continues through June. Selections are made in August.