Episode description

In this episode, we talk to Latoya Smith about about how to bring positive change to organizations and how to tell if a potential employer truly values learning during your interview.

LaToya Smith is the Director of Support & Training for EDX Wireless in Eugene, Oregon. EDX is the technology leader in advanced Radio Frequency (RF) planning solutions. As an active member of the Executive Leadership Team, LaToya has reintroduced EDX Wireless and their customers to service-oriented support offerings. As training is a new focus for EDX, LaToya is introducing her team to new methods and technologies designed to help develop and provide customers with a training framework that provides a consistent means for addressing workplace learning and performance needs. This new learning ecosystem is designed to support RF Engineers and professionals in gaining the knowledge and skills needed to use EDX Software and deliver quality results.

Prior to joining EDX Wireless, LaToya served in the contractor role of Training and Development Manager at the NASA Safety Center (NSC) under the direction of the Technical Excellence Office. She was responsible for managing the development and maintenance of instructor-led and web-based training courses; providing curriculum support and overseeing technical discipline support for NASA Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) activities. She also managed the contractor team efforts in support of the Technical Excellence Office for the NSC and interfaced directly with respective NSC customers.

From 1999 through 2006, she served as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, where she performed safety and security inspections for foreign freight vessels and designated waterfront facilities for commercial operations. She also served as a SME during and after 9/11 in New York City, after which she became an instructor at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, in Virginia. LaToya later received an honorable discharge and designation as a disabled veteran. After the military, she started Monarch Presentations, LLC as a female- and minority-owned small business in Virginia; developing business and educational multimedia websites and courses for other small business owners. Currently, she co-owns and manages a homeschool group and IT consulting business in Thompson, Ohio.

During her career, LaToya has completed specialized training in safety, incident response, and leadership. She currently holds a Master of Science degree in Education Media Design & Technology from Full Sail University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in DHS Emergency Management from Strayer University. 

LaToya's suggestion for further reading on being impactful at your organization:

Dr. Ken Robinson's Finding Your Element

Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/ or on my website: www.heidikirby.com

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