For more than a decade, Dr. John “J.R.” Flatter has invested his experience, expertise and passion for developing leaders into Leadership Fredericksburg.
A graduate of the Leadership Fredericksburg Class of 2012, J.R.’s connection to the program continued long after graduation. He went on to serve as a mentor, sponsor and speaker before joining the Leadership Fredericksburg faculty in 2016. Today, as the program celebrates its 20th year, J.R. is also marking a decade of helping develop the leaders who move our organizations and communities forward.
J.R. is Chairman, Chief Learning Officer and President of Flatter, Inc., where he leads global operations and works at the intersection of leadership scholarship, proven methods and real-world experience. A leadership practitioner, scholar, professor, coach and consultant, his work focuses on helping organizations build leadership competencies and develop stronger leaders.
Through Flatter, Inc., J.R. has worked extensively with leaders across government and industry. The company’s clients have included organizations throughout the Department of Defense, including the Department of the Air Force, National Defense University, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Army War College, Defense Logistics Agency and multiple Navy and Marine Corps commands.
As an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach, J.R. also brings decades of coaching experience to his work. He currently leads a team of ICF-certified coaches working with leaders across government, academia and industry.
His approach to leadership is grounded not only in scholarship and coaching, but also in decades of firsthand experience.
Before founding Flatter, Inc., J.R. served 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. He rose from Private to Staff Sergeant before receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant and ultimately retiring as a Major. Along the way, he served in leadership positions including Platoon Sergeant, Drill Instructor, Platoon Commander and Company Commander.
J.R. has complemented that experience with extensive academic study. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington, a Master of Science in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Ph.D. in Public Administration with a concentration in Leadership Development from The George Washington University.
His commitment to leadership extends throughout the Fredericksburg region. J.R. is a former Chair of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was recognized with the Chamber’s Joseph L. Argenzio Award for service “above and beyond the call of duty.”
From participant to mentor, sponsor, speaker and faculty member, J.R.’s Leadership Fredericksburg journey represents what makes the program’s alumni network so powerful: leaders continuing to learn, stay connected and invest what they have gained into those who come next.
As Leadership Fredericksburg celebrates 20 years of developing regional leaders, we thank J.R. for a decade of service on the faculty and for continuing to challenge participants to strengthen their leadership and put it into practice.
