Get to know Heather Hahn, the Information Media Specialist for the Chapter and a member of the ARMA Pacific Region’s Development Committee.  We asked Heather a series of questions to get to know her better…

 

 

Tell us about yourself?

I grew up in the Bay Area and came to Nevada in 2003 to attend UNR and stuck around.  I live in south Reno with my husband, and when I am not at work, I like to hike, swim, watch movies and organize.  I love organizing!  I even dabbled with starting my own organizing company way back when.  What can I say, I am a nerd and I am proud of it.

Where do you work? What is your role with the organization?

I work for the State Library, Archives and Public Records.  I supervise Imaging and Preservation Services.  My office provides digitizing and microfilming services to state and local government agencies.  (https://nsla.nv.gov/imaging-preservation/)

What drew you to records management/information governance originally?

When I decided to leave the forensic field in 2015, I wanted to do something that would contribute to “the greater good”. I had spent almost 10 years witnessing the violent/destructive side of our society.  I took a Meyers Briggs test and it suggested archivist, and I got excited.  That led me down the research rabbit hole to the MARA program at San Jose State University, and the rest as they say is history.

What do you like most about records management/information governance?

The organizing of course.  I see records management as one big organizing project, categorizing, finding the right container and if necessary, purging what you don’t need, all in the hopes of making it easier to find what you need when you need it.

What do you find the most challenging records management/information governance?

What I find the most challenging is getting people to understand records management’s importance.  Information is very personal to a lot of people and the idea that they will have to destroy it sends them into panic mode.

What advice do you have for newcomers to our industry?

Don’t be apathetic or complacent and always strive to keep the fire of professional growth burning.  Learn as much as you can from any source available to you and always keep an eye to the future in order to know what is coming.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I was a white-water rafting and kayaking guide during college, and I have contributed to two published books.

Do you have favorite quote?

Hard to pick…

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” – George Bernard Shaw

“I would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.  The purpose of man is to live, not exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.  I shall use my time.” – Jack London

… and almost any  movie quote you can think of.

What is on your bucket list?

I want to visit Trebon in the Czech Republic, formerly the Kingdom of Bohemia.  I recently did a genealogical search up the maternal branch of my family tree and discovered that my family resided in this area dating back to the 1600’s until my great-great-great grandfather emigrated to the United States in the 1890’s.

Which one would you want most – flying cars, robot housekeepers, or moon cities?

I would have to go with a robot housekeeper all the way.  Who wouldn’t want Rosie from the Jetsons to help them out? And if I never had to do dishes or laundry again, my day would be made!