“I am excited for this class, and most eager to learn from all of you. Starting with Professor Waite, man…. what a resume. You work harder, as a retiree, than most people at their jobs. I hope to hear some stories about your experiences with FEMA. Also, I hope to hear some stores/and or/examples of your experiences as a leader as Fire Chief in the military. Both of these sectors, I would imagine, are full of strong personalities, but also were everyone depends on each other for survival in dangerous work environments.”
—Aaron Forgues
“This is my 2nd class with Dr. Waite and very much look forward to having him as a professor again. I learned a ton from our first class together!”
—Kenzie Chalifoux
“I must say your background is impressive. I can only imagine how many leadership skills you learned as a fire chief, or what characteristics were well defined in your career. I very well appreciate your understanding as a realist, that we are all students yet working full-time jobs and juggling many different facets of life.”
—Joshua Danowski
“Thank you for another great class!”
—Jennifer Stielow
“Thank you so much, you have been an incredible professor”
—Kelly Reineke
“Thank you so much! You made my first semester a very smooth one!”
—Sarah Quist
“Thanks Dr. Waite for a great class. And thank you to everyone for the good discussions.”
—Travis Sleger
“Thank you for a great semester!! I learned so much in the course and I am really going to miss Wednesday night class! Hope you have a great summer!”
—Amy Thelen
“Thank You so much for a great class and the experiences you shared to enhance our learning. You have made this a class I always look forward to attending.”
—Tatum Quackenboss
“Dr. Mitchell Waite and Double Diamond Leadership Authority LLC present essential elements in managing and maintaining an efficient and progressive organization. Using his Ledocracy model, Dr. Waite was able to illustrate how leadership plays its part in the many facets of any organization. I highly recommend Double Diamond Leadership Authority and Dr. Mitchell Waite to any organization or service that would benefit from efficient and effective leadership. This course was truly one of the most thought provoking classes I have taken in a long time. As a fire service leader I know I will benefit from the information and insight I have taken away from Dr. Waite’s classes.”
—John Lauer, Battalion Chief- South Area Fire District, Rib Mountain, WI
“COL Waite, I missed the opportunity to say goodbye to you and express my gratitude for your leadership and for the opportunity to work with you. The OPTEMPO of the Army and most definitely the Army Reserve today is relentless to say the least. Few leaders have the capacity to adjust and remember to view the Soldiers and civilians that work for them and with them as people. Sir you are one of those that do an excellent job of doing that. We accomplished so much during your tenure as Commander. I truly felt the Division Staff was working to become more cohesive under your leadership. Knowing you had the Division as well as each of our best interests at heart made a big difference. I’m not saying previous leaders didn’t, you just did a significantly better job of conveying that through body language, word usage, tone, daily interaction, everything. I always knew exactly where I stood with you and exactly what you expected of me and my shop, nothing was vague or diluted from my foxhole. I felt empowered to make decisions and take mitigated risks to get the job done!”
–Matthew B. True, SFC, G1, NCOIC- G1, 86th Training Division
“You are a phenomenal leader, and it will be a sad day when you retire from the military. I only wish that I could do the next Global Medic with you but I have taken a new position here at MEDCOM.”
–Joan Ruttle-King, CIV USARMY MEDCOM (US)
“A hero to all of us! Best Commander I have ever had!!”
