Terri Hackmeyer learned early on what it meant to take the reins.

The Human Resources Director in St. Louis grew up in Berkeley, MO, an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis that was home to McDonnell Douglas aerospace Manufacturing Corporation (where Terri worked at one time). Her father was the mayor of Berkeley. As a well-respected and admired member of the community, her father taught Terri three important lessons in life, which she pulls from still today.

1. You work hard.
2. You earn respect.
3. You have empathy for everyone.

Terri takes the reins of enhancing the employee experience through communicating and executing benefits, available resources, and other difference-making workforce investments. She does so, in many ways, by living by her beloved father’s lessons.

“People say I have a very good work ethic, and that started at a young age,” Terri said. “You do that, and you prove yourself. I’m here to help any employee here advance their careers, to support them emotionally, and academically…. People say I could write a book about my life. The reason I’m in this position is that I’ve had those life experiences, so when people come to me, I understand. I’ve been there myself.”

Life Lesson #1: You work hard.

Terri’s been working since she was 16. Her first “big-girl” job was with McDonald Douglas in their marketing department as an executive seminar coordinator. There she “met a lot of great people from around the world and a lot of different cultures.”

When her husband at the time was accepted to medical school, she got a job at the medical school doing research and development for grants. They moved again to South Bend, Indiana where she accepted a position at Penny Saver as a payroll clerk, before the two divorced and Terri moved back to St. Louis.

“When I returned to St. Louis, I interviewed two places. When I interviewed with Datamax, I came away with a really great impression. Everyone I spoke with seemed very down-to-earth and very sincere, and I didn’t get that feeling from the other company that offered me a position,” Terri said. “Datamax immediately saw my potential and work ethic. They had patience with me as I grew not only as an employee but, also as a person."

Life Lesson #2: You earn respect.

Respect, of course, is a two-way street. It’s something she’s earned and received in her 30-year tenure at Datamax.

“When I first started at Datamax, I was newly divorced, a first-time mom, and also on my own for the very first time in my life. I was a little overwhelmed and a little insecure about my future,” Terri said.
Terri was originally hired to calculate commissions for the payroll department for Texas. She was then promoted to supervisor of payroll, and from there gradually took over benefits, recruiting, and her role slowly evolved into HR.

Terri mentions Datamax as a place that feels like family. A place of comfort, yes, but also respect.
“I think the employees and the owners (whom she works with directly) have always been very down-to-earth people. They care about you as human beings.”

An example: Years ago, an employee who had been problematic left Datamax abruptly. A couple of months later, they decided they wanted to be reinstated, but both Terri and a manager agreed that it wasn’t a good idea.

“This employee called the owner, and the owner did contact me and asked me why we wouldn’t bring them back,” Terri recalls. “They said, simply, ‘we respect your opinion.’’

Terri returns that by respecting each employee’s opportunities at Datamax – particularly the benefits. From the 401K, to healthcare benefits, to the Employee Assistance Program, Terri is more than available to educate and consult on what package or packages will be a good fit for employees.

“I think it’s very important to have these resources for employees. They’re all great at retaining employees because that is what you want. You want to be able to support yourself and be able to support your family. Not only that, but if you come to a place (like Datamax) that understands that and respects you, it really becomes more like a family.”

Life Lesson #3: You have empathy for everyone.

On the subject of empathy, Terri turns back to her father, who passed away recently. She recalls this one memory. Her father was serving as mayor, she was 13, and an older lady who lived in the neighborhood would call their home nightly to complain about something…anything, really.

This particular evening, the geese were making noise in a nearby lake. The children, Terri included, never wanted to answer the phone.

"I remember, my dad sat us down, and he said ‘she has every right to her opinions like we all do. She’s lonely. Her husband is deceased. She just wants companionship. This is her way of having a bond with someone.’”

So Terri picked up the phone. For months to come, Terri would just sit and listen to the elderly woman. At the end of every conversation, content in her chance to be heard, she would hang up better for having talked to Terri.”

Empathy — it goes a long way. Terri understands that as well as anyone today.

“In Human Resources, I understand that sometimes people just need to just talk. They are going through some things emotionally or mentally, and they just need someone to talk to,” Terri said. “I’m here for them. The company is here for them.”