Six Curtiss-Wright Heartbeat Leaders complete the first flight of a customized leadership and team performance system
“I can confidently say that not only am I a better leader, but the technicians I lead are better as well. This was an opportunity to grow myself and, in turn, help grow those around me.”
Luke Evans, QC Supervisor and Flight 1 Graduate
FARMINGDALE, N.Y., September 21, 2026 – TMG Inc. joined Curtiss-Wright to celebrate the first graduating class of Curtiss-Wright’s Leader Basic Training program at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, New York.
Luke’s words capture what Leader Basic Training is meant to do: invest in the leaders closest to the work and give them the structure, tools and support to lead high-performing teams. They are Curtiss-Wright’s Heartbeat Leaders.
The graduation recognized six Flight 1 leaders: Carl Dean, Luke Evans, Ivan Ivanov, Amanda Lafaille, Dave Neidig and Marcin Piela. Their achievement marks the first major milestone in a broader effort to strengthen frontline leadership, employee engagement and daily problem solving across Curtiss-Wright’s East Farmingdale, New York facility.
Heartbeat Leaders First
Amanda Lafaille explained that the program helped her build working relationships across departments and become more comfortable using her voice. The experience also gave her a broader understanding of Curtiss-Wright’s operations and how her work connects to the rest of the company.
“I learned so much about how we actually operate: what we do, how we do it, why we do it and what happens behind the scenes. This wasn’t knowledge that stayed in the classroom. I could apply it to my job almost immediately. It made me ask better questions and understand the bigger picture.”
“The biggest impact was much more personal. It changed the way I see my future here at Curtiss-Wright. After going through this program, I started seeing possibilities. I realized there was so much more I could contribute beyond the part of the company I see every day. A leadership program should make you think differently about yourself, your company and what you are capable of doing.”
Amanda Lafaille, Accounting Manager and Flight 1 Graduate
Luke Evans described how leadership lessons learned on the job connect with modern operating tools such as PBL, Power BI and Oracle. Leader Basic Training gave him a practical framework for applying those lessons and tools to his daily responsibilities.
“The skills I’ve learned from the leaders who taught me and the tools I have at my disposal are meaningless if they are not implemented correctly. TMG’s Leader Basic Training taught me how to incorporate those skills and tools into my daily life. I learned how to prioritize my workflow, overcome obstacles and resolve conflicts, not just in a general sense, but as they apply specifically to what we do at Curtiss-Wright.”
Luke Evans, Interim QC Supervisor and Flight 1 Graduate
Executive leader perspectives
The graduation program included perspectives from Curtiss-Wright executives and managers, reflections from graduates, recognition of each Flight 1 participant and remarks from TMG’s program team. The ceremony celebrated individual growth while establishing the standard for the Curtiss-Wright leaders who will follow.
“We went out to the bigger firms and brought in classes here and there, but ultimately, we wanted something that was truly ours. So we turned to TMG for a customized solution. TMG’s Leader Development Program hit all the key points we were looking for. To my TMG partners, you have done more than you advertised. You have exceeded what we asked you to do.”
Mike Cinque, Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright’s East Farmingdale, New York facility
“This is not a one-size-fits-all program; it’s uniquely Curtiss-Wright. I can see real growth coming from the program, and I can only see it getting better.”
Bob Lowery, Senior Manager, Program Management, Curtiss-Wright
Building a system that changes performance
Most organizations know the results they want. The challenge is building the structure and leadership systems that turn intent into daily performance. TMG partnered with Curtiss-Wright to design, implement and manage a system built around the company’s operating environment. The program combines customized instruction with on-the-job application, coaching, journals, manager check-ins and leader qualification.
TMG’s work at Curtiss-Wright extends beyond delivering a course. The engagement builds the management processes, coaching rhythm, assessment methods and internal capability needed to sustain leader development after formal instruction ends. Each participant learns leadership concepts, applies them in real work and receives feedback on demonstrated performance.
The four-block curriculum covers foundational supervisory skills, alignment with the valve manufacturing process, Lean and daily problem solving, team engagement, teammate development and performance management. Supporting systems help managers reinforce the learning and evaluate how well participants apply it.
Additional Leader Basic Training flights are underway with 52 remaining leaders to complete the program TMG will continue supporting Curtiss-Wright as the company develops its next generation of leaders and strengthens the connection between leader behavior, team engagement and business performance.
About TMG Inc
TMG Inc. helps organizations turn potential into performance by strengthening the leaders closest to the work. Guided by Mission First — People Always, TMG works side by side with client teams to build the structure, systems and internal capability needed to lead high-performing teams.
About Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright is a global integrated business that provides highly engineered products, solutions and services mainly to Aerospace & Defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding Commercial Nuclear Power, Process and Industrial markets. We leverage a workforce of approximately 9,300 highly skilled employees who develop, design and build what we believe are the best engineered solutions to the markets we serve. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing innovative solutions through trusted customer relationships. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.