Through its corporate volunteer service program Exelis Action Corps, defense and aerospace company Exelis Inc. has partnered with global talent consultancy Korn Ferry and nonprofit organization Points of Light to launch the Leveraging Military Leadership Program. This leadership development and training program helps veterans apply their military experience to leadership roles in the civilian sector.

The four-month program, provided as a free offering to an inaugural class of 35 veterans from across the United States, will launch Jan. 24 in McLean, Va. A team of global leadership experts from Exelis and Korn Ferry will kick off the program by leading three days of onsite instruction, group exercises and lectures. The in-residence portion of the program will be followed by focused offsite, online, and integrated learning components, as well as individual coaching - the same research-based leadership development services offered by Korn Ferry to Boards, CEOs and senior executives at leading global organizations.

"Our focus is not on securing a job - it's on helping these veterans apply their leadership skills in new and different environments so they can forge a viable career path that will enable them to thrive," said Exelis Chief Communications Officer David Albritton. "The Leveraging Military Leadership Program helps veterans make their skill sets even more relevant, securing their place as a 21st century leader."

The transformational leadership development experience is designed to help veterans strengthen their personal, interpersonal and executive communication skills and develop a clear career strategy. In the career-development sessions, veterans will chart their professional journey, learn how to apply their leadership skills in civilian positions, and clearly articulate their differentiated value proposition.

An important aspect of the Leveraging Military Leadership Program is the force behind its creation. The program concept was initiated during an Exelis leadership development program, designed and led by Korn Ferry. While participating in the program, Exelis Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer Erica Jeffries, was planning a project to set veterans up for success as they depart military service, and Korn Ferry was eager to extend its reach to serve veterans and their families. It was clear that a partnership between Korn Ferry, Exelis Action Corps and Points of Light would provide veterans the rare opportunity to experience world-class civilian leadership training. Jeffries, a former White House fellow and Army helicopter pilot, spearheaded the program planning.

The military experience of the participants varies, ranging from junior enlisted to senior officer ranks in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. These distinguished veterans were selected through a competitive process from a pool of more than 100 applicants. Many of the participating veterans hold public and private sector management positions across a variety of industries.

The Leveraging Military Leadership Program will convene multiple times a year and will be held in various sites across the country. Program organizers will target geographical areas with a strong military and veteran presence.

About Exelis Action Corps

The Exelis Action Corps is the signature volunteer service program for Exelis, a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense, information and services company. Exelis Action Corps is designed to allow nearly 20,000 Exelis employees to give back to their communities by serving military service members, veterans and their families. Exelis leverages a 50-year legacy of deep customer knowledge and technical expertise to deliver affordable, mission-critical solutions for global customers. We are a leader in timing and navigation, sensors, air traffic solutions, image processing and distribution, communications and information systems, logistics and technical services; and we are focused on strategic growth in the areas of critical networks, ISR and analytics, electronic warfare and composite aerostructures. Headquartered in McLean, Va., Exelis employs about 19,000 people and generated 2012 sales of $5.5 billion. For more information, visit our website at www.exelisinc.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About Korn Ferry International

At Korn Ferry, we design, build, attract and ignite talent. Since our inception, clients have trusted us to help recruit world-class leadership. Today, we are a single source for leadership and talent consulting services to empower businesses and leaders to reach their goals. Our solutions range from executive recruitment and leadership development programs, to enterprise learning, succession planning and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO). Visit www.kornferry.com for more information on Korn Ferry, and www.kornferryinstitute.com for thought leadership, intellectual property and research.

About Points of Light

Points of Light - the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service - mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it's needed most. For more information, go to http://www.pointsoflight.org.

Exelis Inc.
Jill Wolf, 703-790 6419
Jill.wolf@exelisinc.com
or
Korn Ferry
Sean Healy, 201-857-2520
Sean@healycorp.com