October 2025 Employees of the Month
Published: November 10, 2025
Updated: November 10, 2025
Every month, the employees at Strategic Communications are given the opportunity to acknowledge exemplary colleagues within or outside their department. Three individuals were chosen by their coworkers for their commitment to customer service, perseverance in the face of challenges, and can-do attitudes!
Eric Heck
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
I was hired in June 2020, and boy am I glad!!! - What is the best career lesson you've learned so far?
Always try to improve yourself and lean new things to make yourself more desirable and lethal as an employee - What is one thing you can't live without?
Family. That's all that really matters for me. - What has been your biggest accomplishment on our team?
That's a hard one. Would be a tie between streamlining all the Internal Quote Templates and TR processes for the various contracts and the move/update to Tableau for all the Sales reporting. - If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Jesus... he loves me (agape: complete, unconditional love) which I don't deserve. - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
I am a National Treasure franchise fan, currently watching National Treasure: Edge of History, an enjoyable continuation of the movie storylines with mostly all new characters.
Jalyn Hirst
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
I started working for Strategic in March of this year. - What is your background prior to working for Strategic Communications?
Academically I completed an associates degree in business administration with JCTC, but I am continuing to take classes at the University of Louisville to complete a bachelor's degree. When it comes to my professional background I’ve worn a lot of different hats. Prior to joining strategic I’ve held accounting positions in the Pharmacy, Health Insurance, Networking Infrastructure, and Television Industries. I’ve also done a lot of administratively focused jobs in the Health Insurance & Car Insurance Industries while also working part time filing tax returns and doing retail work for a variety of places. Did I mention I also dog sit on the side? I really consider myself a jack of all trades when it comes down to it. - What aspect of your job do you find the most rewarding of fulfilling?
The most rewarding/fulfilling part of my job are the opportunities for growth and my co-workers. I’m consistently provided with opportunities to not only utilize the skill set that I brought with me but to continue expanding my skill sets with support from my co-workers. - What is the best career lesson you've learned so far?
Bring humility to every table and conversation – the moment you think you know it all, you close the door to learning what you don’t. - Outside of work, what are you passionate about/enjoy doing?
I love spending time at home with my dog Goose who I adopted from the Humane Society back in August, but my biggest passion is family. There’s nothing I enjoy more than getting together with my family and spending time around a fire – it’s always good food, good music & good company. - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
My favorite Audio Book is Green Light by Matthew McConaughey. I love the perspective he gives on everyday life and the positive life lessons he drops into the mix. - What is something that people may not know about you?
My best friend & her husband refer to me as Shenanigans – I’ve been known to show up to parties and special events with confetti cannons & silly string and to do a few silly pranks. I’m also a huge fan of dad jokes and bad puns. Their current favorite is coming home to Googly Eyes everywhere – family portraits, appliances, kitchen farm animals, etc… I think the ones they expected the least were the steering wheel when they got in their cars to leave for work the next morning. Feel free to shoot me a few harmless/silly prank suggestions! I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.
Ron Hamby
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
It will be 8 years in May. - What is your background prior to working for Strategic Communications?
Academically I got a degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in nutrition. Professionally I previously worked 7 years in Healthcare with Humana - What aspect of your job do you find the most rewarding of fulfilling?
Forever being challenged - What is the best career lesson you've learned so far?
To never stop learning - Outside of work, what are you passionate about/enjoy doing?
Working out, learning more about my purpose and making the best of this experience that we call life - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld, Favorite Podcast: Urban X Podcast, Favorite Book: Embodying Osiris: The Secrets of Alchemical Transformation by Thom Cavalli - What is something that people may not know about you?
I drink 80oz of water per day. I keep a dream journal so I can study them. My lineage traces directly back to the Ancient Kingdom of Nri & the Benin Empire.
