JAYMIE HERBERT | 32

HR MANAGER; TECHNICAL SERGEANT PERSONNELIST

CITY OF WASILLA; ALASKA AIR NATIONAL GUARD

“Doubt yourself, and you doubt everything you see. Judge yourself, and you see judges everywhere. But if you listen to the sound of your own voice, you can rise above the doubt and judgment, and you can see forever.”

Hometown: Lakeside, Calif. Current City: Wasilla

Education: Master of Arts in management, human resources management, Wayland Baptist University; Bachelor of Applied Science, human resources management, Wayland Baptist University; associate of applied science, information management, Community College of the Air Force; associate of applied science, human resources management, Community College of the Air Force

Community Work: REACH907 Gala, coordinator volunteer; Volunteered 900-plus hours to Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) Alaska Crisis Hotline; Big Sister with Big Brother Big Sister Program; Larson Elementary School, event volunteer

Family: Husband, Corey Herbert; son, Jesiah Herbert (8); daughter, Amarrah Herbert (3) What is your favorite place in Alaska and why?: Juneau and Haines: My husband and I took a trip to the Annual Haines Brew Festival in 2015, a few months after our son was born. The trip was breathtaking. We had the opportunity to experience the amazing community of Haines and the positive fellowship of the people who attended. Enjoying the tourist season of Juneau Main Street, camping along the beach and hiking into a cabin alongside a glacier-fed river were just a few of the many highlights of that trip. It truly solidified my love for our great state!

Name the person you respect and why: Something most people don't know about me is that I spent much of my life as a foster child enduring tremendous trauma. The person I respect the most is Mr. Gary Smith because of the role he played in my growth as a person. He was my supervisor at one of the lowest points of my life when I started my childhood trauma therapy. He became the pillar of hope I needed to work through therapy to understand my triggers. He showed the compassion I needed, supported me in my weak moments, was my cheerleader, celebrated my wins and ultimately saved my life. He taught me how to accept feedback, not as criticism, but as guidance to become a better human being. He also showed me what it looked like to have someone who truly cared in my corner by taking me under his wing and supporting my growth. He was my voice of reason and shared stories that taught me many life lessons. He helped me navigate through understanding normalcy that I was not fortunate to have experienced growing up. He changed my life's trajectory forever, and I respect him very much and will forever appreciate him for who he helped me become.

What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work?: My favorite thing to do is spend time with my children. I love cooking with my daughter and watching my son embrace trying new things and excelling in multiple areas.

What was your first job?: My first job was as an Airman in the United States Air Force. The bestcase scenario for a foster child is to be adopted by a loving and truly caring family. Unfortunately, my adoptive mother adopted 14 children for her financial stability. Therefore, when I turned 18, I was given two options: Go into the military or be on the streets/get kicked out - I chose the Air Force. As a child, school was always my escape from the craziness of home, so I knew college was in my future. The Air Force allowed me to obtain skills that I did not get while being raised. I learned how to be in the world, reach my educational goals debt free and work on healing from my childhood trauma. These were all made possible by the services and support I had in the military. It was a job that helped me experience life and become the woman I am today.

What has been your most rewarding community service?: The most rewarding community service program I have worked for is STAR Alaska. I spent hundreds of hours on the other end of the line when callers in crisis needed a warm presence to listen as they worked through their immediate situation. They needed to know they were not alone, and I was able to be that for them. At one point, I volunteered 30 hours a week - overnight shifts - because of the low volume of volunteers available. I was also working full-time and in school. I had just met my husband and was so busy that I didn't realize I had a shift scheduled in the middle of our second date. On this day, the line was much more active than usual for that time of the week. I received a call from someone who was in the middle of a crisis and had inflicted self-harm. While I stayed on the line with the caller, my husband communicated with emergency services, who rendered aid and saved their life. This experience will always be a part of our story. It was our first win together, and 10 years later, this story still makes me emotional. I will never forget my time with this organization.

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