Governor's Executive Development Program

The Governor’s Executive Development Program (GEDP) is a three-week, intensive educational program for top executives in state agencies and universities. The dates for fall 2012 are: Week 1, September 16-21 in Galveston; Week 2, October 21-25 in Arlington; and Week 3, December 3-6 in Austin. Participants are expected to attend the program in its entirety.

The Governor’s Executive Development Program is designed for those with executive level positions and responsibility for charting the strategic direction of their organizations. The general guidelines for eligibility are based on an organization’s employee population: 1-100 employees, Executive Directors, Commissioners, Board Chairs, and Board Members; 101-1000 employees, all of the above plus Deputy Directors; 1001 + employees, Top three tiers of management. For universities, Presidents, Chancellors, Regents, Vice-Presidents, Vice-Chancellors, and Deans with substantial management responsibility are all eligible. This is a time-intensive program, the best candidates are those that want to dedicate the time and effort and have an interest in enhancing their leadership capacity.

To ensure consideration for this class, please complete and submit this form and then as soon as possible fax (512-475-8111) or email (GCMD@UTS.cc.utexas.edu) an organizational chart which clearly indicates the nominee’s area in the organization. Nominations will be forwarded to the Office of the Governor.

Background

After the Governor's Center for Management Development was successfully established in 1981 to train first and mid-level state agency managers, the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives jointly appointed the Executive Development Council to develop a course for top executives in Texas state government. The Council designed the initial three-week curriculum, hired a director for the program and recommended that the program be administered by the LBJ School of Public Affairs. GEDP held its charter class in 1985, and will conduct Class XXXI in 2012. To date, there are over 1000 graduates of the GEDP, representing over 100 Texas state agencies.

Program Objectives/Outcomes

The GEDP curriculum is organized around four key areas:

1. Organizational Strategy (values, vision, mission, and strategic planning);
2. Infrastructure Management (structure, systems, and processes that support strategies);
3. Resource Management (resource management practices that support strategies); and
4. Personal Effectiveness (self-awareness, purpose, and self-management).

Within these four areas, participants will be able to develop and enhance the following specific executive competencies:

• Acquire and understand the parameters of the executive view and the process of human resource management.
• Be able to formulate and implement strategic and operational plans.
• Understand the problems involved and be able to use the processes of organizational and interpersonal communication.
• Become aware of environmental and industry changes and the potential directions of future change.
• Formulate strategies for management and employee development.
• Link with other agency and university executives to effectively implement programs requiring increasing inter-organizational cooperation.
• Identify and access information vital to successfully solving the critical problems of today.

Applied Learning

Executive development is most effective when closely linked with on-the-job issues and challenges. To this end, each GEDP participant, with input from the agency executive director or board chair, is expected to develop a Leadership Plan for applying the new ideas, concepts, and behaviors to his or her own agency's specific issues and challenges. A confidential, multi-rater feedback process is also utilized to identify both strengths and developmental areas in specific executive behaviors. The results of this assessment are used by each participant to design a personal development plan that allows each to manage his or her ongoing executive development.

Executive Coaching

In addition to the program, participants in the GEDP will receive a one-on-one executive coaching session. During the session, the coach will go over the multi-rater feedback instrument and provide guidance on starting a professional development plan.

Faculty and Teaching Methods

Faculty for the program are drawn from throughout the nation and include both university professors involved in research and teaching in management and organizational effectiveness as well as experienced practitioners from government and the private sector. Teaching methods include case studies, experiential exercises, lectures, and discussions.

Program Schedule

The three-week executive program is conducted once each year.

Program Tuition

The Governor's Executive Development Program is designed for agency executives with the responsibility for charting the strategic direction of their organizations. The general criteria for eligibility are based on agency employee population.

Tuition for the 2012 GEDP is $4,700 when paid in advance of the program, $5,200 when paid after. This includes all program related costs, assessment instruments, instructional materials, most breakfasts and lunches, and some networking events. Lodging, other per diem, and travel costs are the responsibility of each participant.

Requests for nominations are sent by the Governor of Texas a few months prior to the program. For more information on the nomination process, please call us at 512-475-8100.

Eligibility

The Governor's Executive Development Program is designed for agency executives with the responsibility for charting the strategic direction of their organizations. The general criteria for eligibility are based on agency employee population.

Eligibility by Employment Population

Agencies:

• 1-100 employees
  Executive Director, Commissioner, Board Chairs, and Board Members
• 101-1000 employees
  Executive Director, Deputy Director, Board Chairs, and Board Members
• 1001-plus employees
  Top three tiers of management, Board Chairs, and Board Members

University System:
Presidents, Chancellors, Regents, Vice-Presidents, Vice-Chancellors, and Deans with substantial management responsiblity

Nomination Process

In April, May or early June of each year, the Texas Governor will send a letter to each state agency and university chief executive officer requesting nominations to the GEDP program. Nominations from these CEOs are sent to the Governor's Office and the GEDP class is selected from this pool of nominations. Nomination Forms for Class XXXI are due by June 12, 2012.  Persons selected for participation in Class XXXI will be expected to attend one of the two orientation sessions held at the Commons Conference Center. More details about participation in the program will be sent by early July.

Nomination Form