“Coons knows the true meaning of being a mentor and walking
the walk,” said Lino Garcia, an SHSU and FBINA graduate. “He didn’t just show
up, but he knew exactly which class I had with him and was interested in how
the academy was going. It was refreshing to see someone who genuinely shared an
interest in their students' ongoing journey and development.”
“When the Texas cooking team was brought up, I heard Coons
would be helping. Hearing his name brought me back to his class and to him
saying he enjoys helping with the FBINA ‘Texas Night’ and that he couldn’t wait
for that time,” Garcia said. “The cook team drove from Texas to Quantico to
help for this one night. Their commitment to show the best of Texas was
immediately noticed.”
Fewer than one percent of the nation’s law enforcement
officers are admitted to the FBI’s ten-week leadership program hosted on Marine
Corps Base Quantico. As a Santa Fe
Police Department captain, Garcia attended the academy while completing his
master’s degree and found similar topics were covered in both programs, helping
him seamlessly improve his leadership skills.
“The SHSU graduate program and the FBINA facilitated
discussion and dialogue to address issues people don’t necessarily think about,”
he said. “We were able to take a deep dive into our profession and understand
where we can improve our own leadership styles and organizations.”
Each Bearkat who joins the ranks of FBINA participants adds
to COCJ’s growing legacy of leadership and distinction, reinforcing the
college’s reputation across the nation and around the world.