Insight: Kathy Derrick

By Anita Moore, Photo by Jessica McCafferty

Hometown : Peru, NY

Family : Husband Michael, 4 grown children, 2 grandchildren

Occupation : Retired Lieutenant Colonel, US Army

Community Involvement: Volunteer at Peru Soup Kitchen and Mediator with Rural Law Center

Kathy Derrick is a dynamic individual whose life has been characterized by a strong commitment to service, leadership and personal growth, stemming from her roots in Maine.

A pivotal decision in her youth led her to attend the military academy at West Point, a choice largely influenced by the opportunity for a challenging education and the financial support provided by the federal government. Despite initially knowing little about the Army she embraced the structured environment and the sense of purpose it offered, though she initially planned to serve only her five-year commitment.

Her extensive military career, spanning 20 years, saw her commissioned into the Army right after graduation. It was during her first assignment in South Korea that she met her husband, Michael, also a second lieutenant, and they married via a quick trip home to the US before returning to Korea. From there they moved to Germany, where Kathy specialized as a logistician, overseeing the intricate transportation of equipment and supplies, including their Armored Division’s deployment to combat in Desert Storm, 1990-1991. The military presented unique challenges for their dual-career marriage, especially in balancing job assignments and raising their four children.

Michael transitioned to a stay-at-home dad role for five years while she continued her full-time service, but a period of chaos at home during Michael’s subsequent mobilization as a reservist ultimately prompted Kathy’s decision to retire from the Army at age 42, a choice she found easy, a “blinding flash of the obvious,” given the upheaval on the home front. Following her retirement and Michael’s full active retirement years later, they moved to Peru, New York, a decade ago.

In her post-military life, Kathy continues to embody a spirit of purpose and engagement, dedicating her time to various creative pursuits like woodworking and quilting, managing her aging mother’s care and contributing to her community through volunteer work and by mentoring and inspiring strong women, often through organized backpacking trips with fellow West Point alumnae.

Following are excerpts from my recent interview with Kathy Derrick.

How did you become interested in a military Career?

My parents were both educators, we lived in Maine with little to no military influence. I knew I wanted to attend a university that would be challenging and I knew I was going to need financial aid. West Point had recently started admitting women and it was in the news, it looked really hard and the challenge is what appealed to me. The only things I knew about the Army when I arrived at West Point were what I learned from watching the TV show MASH!

What important lessons did you learn early in your career?

A few actually. Work hard, be present during work hours, stay late to get paperwork done. Be physically fit. Earn the respect of your colleagues. Never sacrifice Integrity. Set the example because you never know who is watching.

What was the best piece of advice you ever received?

“Keep your moral and ethical compass pointing north” part of one of the best speeches I have ever heard, delivered by General Charles Krulak, then Commandant of the Marine Corps. It allies to all facets of life, both civilian and military. In leadership positions, especially when making decisions that could impact someone’s life or asking people to do very difficult things, it must be for the right reasons.

How do you approach an endeavor to best ensure a successful outcome?

There are five rather adaptable steps for most situations. Understanding and defining the problem and know what success looks like for the situation. Once identified, thorough planning is essential and from there pay attention to details. Lastly, have a back up plan and be ready to improvise.

What’s your leadership style?

Hard work is a fundamental expectation. Leading by example and being present is key, especially in the military field. I found it paramount to be physically present with the soldiers I was leading rather than squirreled away in an office. Any paperwork often had to be done late after being present during the day. It is also important to give credit to the contributions of team members when things go well and take responsibility when they do not, to earn the respect of your colleagues.

Who was your most influential mentor?

My mom. She went to college, was a teacher, raised three kids, stayed physically active and encouraged me to think and get the best education possible. When I graduated from West Point and I worried that I’d never cooked a meal, she said “If you can read, you can cook”. She was active in women’s rights and local politics, taught me to “vote with my feet” i.e. don’t support people and businesses that are no good — walk away. She was a champion for women in education and being independent.

What inspires you?

Seeing our children all grown up and figuring out how to solve problems, make a difference, and be good citizens in this world. Also, true “against the odds” comeback sports/adventure stories.

If you could start your professional career over again, what would you do differently?

Take more risks in my career! People expect you to make mistakes when you’re young and new in a profession, not so much when you are an experienced leader. I was too cautious, a rules follower and now I wished I had “let’er rip” a bit more and dared greatly, even if more risky.

Is there a local personality or business person you admire?

Deena McCullough. A powerhouse in the Plattsburgh business scene, but always giving back to the community. She is very family-focused, quite creative and always makes time for friends. Also, Hannah Provost, who makes a full-time career and being a mom of three look easy. She makes time to be part of the non-profit Champlain Area Trails and other events in the community — all with a smile.

If you could have dinner and spend an evening with any well-known person, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

Emma (Grandma) Gatewood. At age 67, the first woman to walk the Appalachian trail in 1955. She dumped her deadbeat husband, raised eleven children and, when they were grown up, she took a bus to Georgia and walked with a handmade sack of supplies and Keds sneakers. When we hit a real low point on our long multi-day backpacking trips, we ask “What would Granny Gatewood do?” She is an inspiration, especially for those in mid-life and maybe feeling like they’ve lost a step or two…keep moving!

How would you like to be remembered?

As a great mom, a good wife and a dedicated soldier. As a person of integrity who never shied away from doing hard things.

What do you believe the North Country community should do today to ensure a prosperous future?

Elect a representative in Congress who is from the North Country and lives our values. Also, continue to prioritize our neighbors north of the border. We share so much more than a lake with Canada. Our future will prosper with more connection and growth by including them even more in our community and planning events. Our Chamber of Commerce has done a great job, so far, in this area.