Company Description: Hercules Incorporated is a global manufacturer of chemical specialties used in making a variety of products for home, office, and industrial markets.
Education: B.A., Lincoln University
M.B.A., Temple University
J.D., Villanova University School of Law
Department Size: 34
Immediate Prior Position: Corporate Secretary and Assistant General Counsel, Hercules Incorporated
1. Please describe an important personal challenge that you have overcome.
I was born in a family of modest means and raised in an inner-city environment. I lost my father when I was young. From these life experiences, I learned early some very important values including determination, dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. More importantly, I learned how to deal with adversity and the ups and downs of life. These lessons have served me well in addressing the many facets and subtleties of diversity issues—and in not letting such issues deter me.
2. Describe a defining moment pivotal to your success.
I became general counsel of an independently operated, joint-venture company, owned 50 percent by Hercules and 50 percent by an unrelated corporation. Although I was comfortable with my career at Hercules, I was willing to take the risk of moving to a smaller and more entrepreneurial company with an uncertain future. I felt that being in a fast learning environment would enhance the development of my legal, business, and managerial abilities. During the years with the joint-venture company, I learned to be innovative and flexible, to be an agent of change, and to treat failure as a learning experience, rather than a blaming experience. Ultimately, Hercules acquired 100 percent of the joint-venture company and I rejoined Hercules. However, I came back a much more developed person than when I left years earlier. Clearly, the time with the joint-venture company had been a very positive step in my career.
3. What is the best career advice that you have ever received?
Commit to high standards and excellence and strive for your best at all times. It is often stated that a minority needs to be twice as good to get half as far. Hopefully, this is changing in all areas and for all purposes. However, to the extent that there is any element of truth to that statement, then it should work to increase one’s resolve to determination, dedication, hard work, and excellence.
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From the December 2001 issue of Diversity & The Bar®