Get to Know HudsonAlpha: Dedra Herod
Dedra Herod is the executive assistant to Dr. Neil Lamb, the director of HudsonAlpha’s educational outreach department. Many people know Dedra’s name through e-mails regarding our Biotech series, especially the upcoming Biotech 201, which is sponsored by Maynard, Cooper and Gale. But there are many sides to this dedicated professional most people don’t get a chance to see.
Q: What was your original career path?
A: Honestly, I don't think I had a focused path outside of being a mom. I fell into my field simply because I needed a job and administration seemed to be the best fit. I had a great first boss/mentor who helped guide and mold me into an executive assistant. Here I am 25 years later and I can't imagine doing anything else.
Q: How did you wind up at HudsonAlpha in the education department?
A: One of my previous roles was very public and demanded lots of time away from my family. It was with another local nonprofit, but often took up 10-12 hours of my day, including weekends. After almost four years and many changes, my husband and I decided to change our family's priorities. Elizabeth Herrin from our external affairs department and I were friends and she knew I was looking for something special that would be the right fit, not just another job move. She threw my resume in the mix and the rest is history.
Q: What is your primary role in that department?
A: First and foremost, I am the executive assistant to our educational outreach director, Dr. Neil E. Lamb. I also support the entire department as a whole. I'm part of a wonderful team who fondly call me the gatekeeper. It's a role I love and can't see myself ever doing anything else.
Q: How do you see HudsonAlpha making an impact on youth in our community?
A: A big part of what we do is excite youth about genetics and biotech and teach them about the applications of biotech to their lives. From our partnership with AMSTI and putting hands-on DNA kits in the hands of teachers and students across the state; to BioTrain, our internship program; to our outreach courses Biotech 101and 201 to DNA Day (our open house to the public) this team has made and continues to make huge strides in impacting the youth of our community.
Q: What do you most enjoy about your job?
A: Gosh, that is a hard question because I love so many aspects of my job. If I had to be specific, I get great satisfaction in knowing that when I do the administrative part of my job well, it makes my team function to the best of its ability.
Q: What keeps your job fresh day after day after day?
A: Now that is an easy question! No day is ever the same. I love the term wide-open. The educational outreach team does so many different things. It's exciting to see what is around the corner. We have been blessed with a multitude of opportunities to make an impact on our community.
Q: Tell us about your family and how they inspire you in life at home and work.
A: I think I have one of the bravest and most patient husbands around. Mike and I have been married for almost 11 years now. He married a widow with three children ages seven and five. He truly signed up for a wild ride! My family inspires me every day to work harder and to do my best in every moment. Our son, Griffin, is headed to Auburn this fall and our girls, Lisa and Becca, will leave for college in the fall of 2011. One of our standard conversations includes this check, regardless of what kind of day we've had: "Have you done your best for God today?" We frequently fall short, but we hold each other accountable to make a better effort the next day. I am very blessed.
