Emerald Coast Chapter of the ASTD

Emerald Coast Spotlight

Each month we feature a member or corporate partner.

2011 May Spotlight is on...
Rhonda Hacker Chapter Member since: 2006 National ASTD Member:Yes Employed by: Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners JobTitle: HR Specialist
What excites you about training and development?
My favorite aspect of training and development is being able to use my creativity and innovation skills. By nature, I am a creative type person. I spend a lot of my leisure time crafting and reading. It is really exciting to be able to utilize skills at work that I enjoy using in my leisure time. Right nw, I am most excited about a new tool I have been using to build training modules-PREZZI. It really allows me to stretch my creative muscles.
Do you have a funny training story to share? If not funny, perhaps interesting?
I like to spend a lot of time practicing for training sessions. Often, I will practice in the evenings or on the weekends at home. One day, I was sitting in my bedroom practicing- talking out loud, gesturing with my arms, the whole kit and caboodle. My daughter decided it was time to meet her lastest boyfriend. So, in they walk and there I am in mid-sentence, gesturing with my arms. After the initial embarrassment and my daughter's hasty explanation, it was quite funny. That open door policy will get you every time.
Are there any exciting initiatives going on in your organization right now?
We recently launcehd a training program we have titled "The Training Zone." It is for all our managers, supervisors, and foremen. There are both required and optional training modules. The majority are in-house, with a few through NWFL State College. This has been a project I have been working on for the past five years. I am also working with IS to create a database, somewhat similar to an LMS, that these employees can access to sign up for classes and check their course completion status.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
I am an 11th hour volunteer for Covenant Hospice. I have been one for the past three years and am really glad to have an opportunity to serve my community. It is truly an honor.
2011 April Spotlight is on...
Pam Walters Chapter Member since: 2003 National ASTD Member:Yes Employed by: NWFL State College JobTitle: Grant Writer
What excites you about training and development?
The entire concept of any kind of training and/or development is exciting because it can transform lives. Growth and development both as a person and an employee brings personal satisfaction, builds self-esteem and increases or productivity and efficiency. Training opportunities allow me to better serve the population I work with every day.
Do you have a funny training story to share? If not funny, perhaps interesting?
When conducting a workshop with some displaced homemakers some years ago about setting goals and making good decisions, I asked women to share who they would most like to be if they could switch places with anyone in the world. After getting some thoughful replies like Barbara Bush, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters, etc., one girl very seriously replied she wanted to be Barbie. Because Barbie had the perfect body and hair, perfrect house and good looking man-Ken, that is. I lost the entire group after that. I could think of no response. Sigh.....
Are there any exciting initiatives going on in your organization right now?
Well, Northwest Florida State College enrollment is growning each semester which is great! We are developming some new programs and hopefully will be offering Bachelor degrees in Computer Information Technology in the next few years. A new Student Services building is under construction with a December opening planned. This building will house admissions, advising, testing, registration, and business office services for students in one location.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
I don't know how interesting it is, but I was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and have lived in this area my entire life. Also, my favorite leisure time activity is playing Texas Hold'em poker. I'm addicted but never play for real money. Thank goodness!
2011 March Spotlight is on...
Tracey Tapp Chapter Member since: 2010 National ASTD Member:Yes Employed by: Human Resource Solutions, Inc. JobTitle: Principal
What excites you about training and development?
I am a personal development junky. I love the process of self-discovery, growth, and development. My favorite thing about training and development is seeing light bulbs go off for people- those "a-ha" moments when you know someone has had an insight of learning that changes them in some meaningful way. I love the part of HR Solutions mission statement that talks about "unleashing potential."
Do you have a funny training story to share? If not funny, perhaps interesting?
How about shocking? In my mid 20s I worked at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. I was conducting a sexual harassment awareness class to a room full of linemen and power station operators who clearly did not want to be there. I asked for a volunteer for role play. A man stood up, unzipped his pants, and said, "I volunteer." Yikes! I asked him to zip up his pants and sit down and got another volunteer. It wasn't until I got back to the office and started crying and telling my colleagues about what had happened that I realized how frightening this was. I'm happy to report that this gentleman got 3 days off without pay and we instituted a policy of co-training. I think training in pairs is great, and we do this a lot at HRS. It brings different energy perspectives to the class.
Are there any exciting initiatives going on in your organization right now?
We are jazzed about some of the new training topics we are working on. One is health and wellness class called "Managing Energy, Not Time." We're also looking at developing some material on emotional intelligence and generations in the workplace.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
My big news this year is a trip my husband Jim and I will take in the fall to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. We'll cruise the Greek Islands and then spend some time in Istanbul. I've never been to a Muslim country, so spending time in Turkey should be interesting-especially with everything going on in the Muslim world right now.
2011 February Spotlight is on...
Michele Burns Chapter Member since: 2008 National ASTD Member:Yes Employed by: Kelly Services JobTitle: District Manager
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
Well of course the first thing that comes to mind is the networking opportunities not only professionally, but also personally. The programs always have such good information that I always bring something back useful to my staff. I enjoy the round table interactions and just learning from each other. Always great to learn new ideas that will help train and motivate our employees.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
The programs are always interesting and I really like that so many of the members are asked to do programs. This group has a lot of talented members and it is great to have them share their experiences and information and then you have a source to go back to if needed. I reached out after one program and immediately received more information and handouts that I could use at one of my company meetings.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
Well, I don’t know about interesting or exciting, but I am a Ft. Walton Beach Native (born in the old Ft. Walton Beach Hospital on Hospital Drive if anyone remembers that) and I have worked for the same company and been married to my husband Dave for 22 years. My grandsons play baseball at Choctaw and Northwest Florida State College so most of the spring is spent at a baseball field. We enjoy Classic Car Shows and drive a 34 Ford Coupe. I graduated from High School with Pam Walters, but I won’t share what year if she won’t. On a fun note, my cousin is a contestant on this year’s Survivor and her name is Krista Klumpp for those Survivor fans.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?
I attend quite a few meetings and feel like ASTD meetings are very professional, informative and always on time. We are all very busy in our jobs and like to feel like we are making good use of our time, so I really do not know of any improvements. I wish more people knew how great this group is. I did, though, get a warning parking ticket at our last meeting and it brought back my old college days because that was probably when I received my last parking ticket. I had to laugh that I was parked so far out and still got a ticket.

2011 January Spotlight is on...
Ruth Edwards Chapter Member since: 2008 National ASTD Member:Yes Employed by: CHELCO JobTitle: Human Resource Development Specialist
How do the chapter's programs/meetings help you in your job?
Some programs provide new areas of interest that I can research further for my cooperative.
What is your favorite thing about coming to the meetings?
I love coming to meetings and discovering things, ideas, etc. that I can take back with me to work.
Anything interesting or exciting about yourself you want to share?
I am currently serving as the Niceville Relay for Life Education Chair Volunteer. If anyone is looking for volunteer opportunities that fits into their field, we are always looking for helping hands. Our Relay is April 15th and I am always trying to find more ways to get cancer information out to the community. This is a great opportunity for trainer to volunteer their skills.
Is there anything you would change to improve ASTD's meetings?
I welcome change and encourage you to talk to our board members about change and then help create it. I wanted our chapter members to be more informed of the chapter's business. In January, we will be conducting mini business chapter meetings before our programs. The business meetings will start at 11:45 and will provide a short briefing on board members' projects. Please come early in January and find out how we are working to improve your chapter.

To see previous spotlights please click here

Updated: 5/9/11