& Terry Basnight Hamlet, AHC 12
In late September, DHI conducted an interview with Terry Hamlet, AHC, the president-elect of the Door and Hardware Institute. Terry Hamlet will become the president of DHI on November 1 and we wanted to share her thoughts on the coming year with our readers. DHI: What was your motivation to volunteer which ultimately led you to becoming the president of the Door and Hardware Institute? Terry Hamlet, AHC: Soon after becoming employed at S. H. Basnight & Sons in 1978, I became involved in the North Carolina Chapter of DHI. I made the decision to get involved because my father, Bill Basnight, AHC, who had been involved at DHI at both the chapter and national levels, encouraged me. He had always believed that involvement was a good way to give back to your community and a good way to develop life-long, meaningful relationships both personal and professional. It wasn t long before I started holding offices (secretary, vice-president, and president) and realized the value of volunteering in our industry. I was beginning to develop skills which were transferable to the work world. In addition to my volunteer work with DHI, I joined the local chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), and also was the Senior High Youth Leader at my Church. All of these activities formulated my current belief in volunteerism- give back to each community that you belong to (church, business, school) and the sacrifice you make will be repaid in many intangible waysboth personal and professional. I really do believe this is true. DHI: Have you held other volunteer positions that have truly prepared you to become the President of DHI? H a m let: Well, in addition to DHI volunteering, I have been the fund distribution chair for our local United Way and held the position of Moderator for our Church Councilwhich is a chairman of the board type of position. This required developing agendas, running meetings and setting a vision for the future it was great preparation. In addition, I am a trained Stephen Minister which requires good listening skills another important attribute for leadership. Furthermore, when I became the President of S. H. Basnight and Sons, Inc, I began to develop transferable skills to the office of DHI President. Of course, DHI has a staff in place so the personnel management is left to the executive staff, but strong communication and interpersonal skills are needed to run your business, the main difference is that you are working with volunteers as opposed to employees. Both positions however require attention to finances and strategic thinking and planning. Of course, the numerous offices that I have held in DHI have been a wonderful way to develop my skills. After chapter involvement, I became a regional director working with several chapters. This also provided me exposure to DHI at the national level. Once I was given the opportunity to join DHI s Board, I jumped at the chance as I recognized that this experience, though a sacrifice of personal and professional time, was worth it. I have not been disappointed and look forward to my term as president. Once you join the DHI Board you begin a fairly active role in both board service and chairing committees. As you move into an officer s position, your responsibilities increase and by the time you become the DHI President, you have had plenty of opportunity to hone the necessary skills. So, combining my company experience with my volunteer experience I am confident that I can meet the industry s expectations. DHI: You seem to have a special place in your heart for the chapters. Why is this? Photo Credit: Artie Dixon Photography NOVEMBER 2006 DOORS AND HARDWARE 13
Hamlet: DHI is an association whose business is to serve its members. I do have a special place in my heart for chapters because it can offer so many wonderful opportunities to serve and advance our members such as networking, relationship development, leadership development, and education. While S. H. Basnight and Sons is not a large distributor, I believe we are representative of the majority of distributors in our industry. Smaller companies like ours are often limited in their resources, and that can make it difficult to participate in many of DHI s national programs, such as the schools and convention. Having a person out of the office for a week can place a real burden on a company of our size. However, if we can deliver those benefits locally, then a person can take advantage of what DHI has to offer and advance their careers a real member benefit. I see myself as someone from a small business in a small town who has been given an opportunity to make a difference, and the difference I want to make which, by the way, sits at the heart of DHI s strategic plan is to help the chapters better serve our members at the local level. A strong chapter can provide a great opportunity, just like I had, for our members to receive the many DHI benefits at the local level. Furthermore, the chapters can provide leadership training which can help a person to improve their career and company as well. I would not be rising to the level of DHI President if it were not for the many years of involvement in my chapter. DHI: In your speech at the DHI Annual Meeting, you mentioned several mentors as well as several successful women in the industry. What impact did these individuals have on your career? Hamlet: Bill Basnight, AHC and Jesse Basnight Sr., AHC were mentors early and throughout my career. As the backbone of our company, these professionals had a profound impact on my core beliefs and style. Of course, since I worked with my father and uncle on a daily basis, their impact on me was substantial. The difference I want to make which, by the way, sits at the heart of DHI s strategic plan is to help the chapters better serve our members at the local level. A strong chapter can provide a great opportunity, just like I had, for our members to receive the many DHI benefits at the local level. Terry Basnight Hamlet, AHC Other mentors that I mentioned in my speech were all former presidents of DHI: Walter Watson, DAHC, Andy Turner, DAHC, Chuck Smith FDHI and Mark Hallgren AHC, FDHI. I have admired and appreciated their leadership and dedication to our industry. I am grateful that each of them has encouraged me to give back to our industry through service at DHI. My Dad knew that I had a keen interest in the door and hardware industry, so starting in my teen years, he looked for every opportunity to point out to me the successful women in our industry. I think he wanted me to understand that women could succeed in this industry and that they are a wonderful addition to our companies. As my career grew, I naturally paid attention to the success of several key women who made a substantial impact on the industry and DHI. Though they are not the only ones, Mary Roth, DAHC, Shirley Henry, AHC; Susan Gosney, FDHI and Susan Flowers DAHC/CDC, FDHI, are examples of women who have made a contribution and whose careers I admire. I see them more as motivators than mentors. DHI: As a woman who is president of a distributor company and president of an industry association what message do you have for other women? Hamlet: First and foremost that you have much to offer and you can do it too. And the other part of my message is not just for women, but for the whole industry. As a small business, we really struggle to find competent employees and I know that other businesses have the same struggle. Most of the time, we have to grow our own. Traditionally, the construction industry has not been successful in attracting women to our industry, but in today s society, many women find 14
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the need and desire to be in the workplace. Generally, women naturally have the skills required to succeed in our industry, such as attention to detail, creativity, and multi-tasking. I think it is important to attract women to our industry and give them the opportunity to advance and grow. We need more women in our industry and in leadership positions. My point is that we have a major need in this industry for qualified personnel and I am encouraging our industry to look into a non-traditional segment of society women. Our industry is gaining value in an exciting direction the emergence of our key role in life safety and security demand. We are not just a segment of the construction industry. DHI: Can you elaborate on this emergence into life safety and security? Hamlet: Yes. Two years ago, thenpresident of DHI, Mark Hallgren, AHC, FDHI, had a vision to build recognition for the expertise our industry possesses in life safety and security. This past year, Dale Garrett, AHC continued that mission with the repositioning of the DHI Education Foundation into the Foundation for the Advancement of Life Safety and Security. What excites me is the notion that I am really doing something important on a daily basis. I feel a real sense of purpose when I sit down with an architect or owner, learn what they are looking to accomplish and provide them with the solution. One such project was the UNC Neurosciences Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. We played the important roles of both specification writing and furnishing materials. It was rewarding to help the owner and architect in the decision-making processes related to the life safety and security of the building. I want DHI to continue to build our reputation in this area which can directly impact every single member on a daily basis. Touching each member with our programs is important to me. DHI: Do our programs really have the potential to touch each member? Hamlet: I believe that they do. However, some will require a successful local chapter. Since we have plans to deliver our national education program at the local level, we will need strong chapters to do this. We have a self-study course, but this is most appropriate for the beginning student. Classes at the local level will be a better option for the advancing student. Many of our chapters are moving in the direction of providing this education. The new NFPA 80 Inspection concept has the potential to help our members develop a new business model with the end user. This work can touch every company in their marketplace. The code work that DHI is undertaking will impact every company and member. So I do believe that our current efforts with these programs can really touch each member. The key is to get their attention and participation and I believe the chapters can help us in this role. Accordingly, we are re-launching the Chapter Leadership Conference in an effort to reinvest in the chapter leadership. We have been having Board members make presentations to our chapters and we have tried web-based leadership training- but it is going to take more. I believe that the education opportunities offered by DHI National to the Chapter will be the first step in the rebuilding. Eventually there will be code work to be performed as well as introducing our industry to the local high schools, trade schools and colleges. All of this work will need to involve our local chapters. DHI: Any final thoughts? Hamlet: I just want to thank my dad and uncle for giving me the initial opportunity to become involved in our great industry; our North Carolina chapter for giving me a place to learn and grow as a leader; our industry leaders for mentoring me and encouraging me to participate; the women in our industry who have set the example for me and cheered me on; my fellow members who elected me into leadership; the employees of S. H. Basnight and Sons who believe that it is important for me to serve at the National level; and my family who is as excited as I am to give back to the community that supports us. We have a great industry with a huge sense of purpose. We are not just doorknob salesmen. We are helping to build buildings that are safe and secure for our friends and families. 16