Civil Employee Spotlight- ZEREATA TRAYLOR-HICKERSON AND MELINDA THOMAS
ZEREATA TRAYLOR-HICKERSON AND MELINDA THOMAS
ARE HELPING LANDMARK CIVIL DIGITAL COURTS PROJECT
Regardless of new equipment purchased or project outlines, it is the hard work of leaders like civil courts trainers like Zereata Traylor-Hickerson and Melinda Thomas that make major changes possible in the District Clerk’s office. Both trainers have worked every day for more than a year to understand the goals of the Digital Courts Project and how to implement them.
With their knowledge of court process and clerks’ responsibilities, these two women have been key in the implementation of this major transformation of the way the District Clerk supports courts and its clerks process and manage documents. “Some customers didn’t understand the system at first and thought they wouldn’t like it, but as more people use the digital system, the more comfortable every one becomes with it,” says Zereata. Melinda adds, “The initial upheaval of getting all of the files ready to be scanned can be frustrating but clerks scanning the documents are doing an excellent job.”
Zereata began serving in the District Clerk’s office in 1989 in Records after earning a certification in business. Melinda began as second clerk in the 95th after having served as a supervisor at ARCO Solar based in Hutchins. Both she and Melinda have witnessed the transition of a system in which forms are written and case jackets are pulled by hand to one in which information is updated and retrieved by computer.
Melinda states, “When I began in 1985 we did every thing by hand and had only one computer per clerk's office that we had to share, and I had a typewriter on a very small desk, which left almost no room for files. I was always ready to learn new procedures, and now technology has completely changes the process, especially the speed with which we can handle our work.”
In her capacity as trainer, Zereata credits changes in evaluation methods for streamlining the process of assessing more accurately the capabilities of clerks as they progress from one level to the next. Melinda says that for her the greatest challenge is knowing when a new clerk totally understands the information she is teaching. “I feel I have done my job well when clerks feel confident enough to tell me that they can do something by themselves.”
On a personal level, during her two decades in the District Clerk’s office, Zereata has come to know and appreciate the understanding and help clerks offer and receive during personal crises. “We are like an extended family,” says Zereata. Melinda agrees that the District Clerk's office is like a family. “We don't always get along, but there is always someone there to talk to and help you when you need it.”
Born into a family of five children in Dallas, Zereata graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1979 and attended El Centro. Melinda was born in Kenmore, New York, and lived there until she was two, when her family moved to Corsicana, Texas. Melinda graduated from Wilmer-Hutchins High School in 1977 and attended Cedar Valley Community College.
Married to husband Tony for ten years, Zereata loves their dog Anna, enjoys decorating, cooking, hooking rugs, listening to music and likes listening to elderly people talk about life.
Melinda lives with her father and brother in the house where she was raised. Her sister lives across the street and Melinda loves spending time with her large extended family both here and in New York, as well as reading, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching and sewing.