Air University students continue leadership training in Tiger Motors Lab
Published: Apr 2, 2025 9:15 AM
By Carla Nelson
For the fifth consecutive year, students from the Air War College and the Air Command and Staff College at Air University visited Auburn University’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering for an afternoon of hands-on leadership training.
The group participated in an interactive session at the Tiger Motors Lab, commonly known as the Lego Lab, where they explored the principles of continuous process improvement and its role in fostering innovation and leadership.
William DeMarco, director of Air University Innovation and Analysis, said the training has become a core part of their curriculum.
“The students were very impressed with Tom Devall, as always, and the lesson,” DeMarco said. “Several mentioned they loved the combination of leadership and application. This is our fifth year, and we will be back every year you will have us.”
The visit provided students with a deeper appreciation for industrial and systems engineering and its applications in military operations.
“I’ve crossed paths with many industrial engineers in the Air Force but never appreciated the rigor and depth of their education until now,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Lyon, an Air University student. “I was genuinely impressed by how the university’s curriculum perfectly matched our own processes, particularly in aircraft sustainment, logistics and maintenance—opening the door to exciting opportunities for collaboration and innovation.”
Lyon also noted that his children were amused by the idea of adults using Legos as teaching tools.
Lt. Col. Brock Koleski, an Air University student, said the partnership between Air University and Auburn provides a valuable opportunity to explore new approaches to driving innovation.
“True innovation comes from leadership and the ability to identify problems in a process,” Koleski said. “By finding process improvements through new techniques or material solutions, we can solve discrepancies and enhance efficiency.”
The ongoing collaboration between Auburn University and Air University highlights the critical intersection of engineering, innovation and leadership—helping military leaders apply advanced problem-solving techniques to real-world challenges.
Media Contact: , carla@auburn.edu, 334-740-0221
Students from the Air War College and the Air Command and Staff College at Air University recently visited Auburn University’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering for an afternoon of hands-on leadership training.
