Page 6 - Michigan DNR • Outdoor Adventure Center October • December 2019

E6 MPLOYEE Spotlight
MEET d’Nae hearn
Ms. Hearn is a program assistant – she greets groups, helps them enjoy the OAC, and creates and leads programs for our guests. She is a lifelong resident of Detroit, graduating from Cass Tech High School. She earned her B.S. in animal science with a concentration in companion and exotic animal biology from Michigan State University.
D’Nae’s favorite outdoor activity is bicycling. D’Nae said, “Working here at the OAC has increased my love of the outdoors and has also complemented my newfound hobby of nature photography.” When asked what her favorite part of the job has been, she said “meeting new faces that are also interested in getting outdoors has been a blast.”
She credits her experiences here with bringing her closer to her career goal of becoming a wildlife veterinarian and conservationist.
We know that with D’Nae’s special combination of drive and passion, she will reach all of her goals. We are excited about the programs D’Nae offers our guests, whether it be archery for adults or a nature photography hike for all ages. She also wants to add more travel to her future. We hope that she fulfills that wish, and that all her paths
bring her back home to the OAC to share her new discoveries. Asked for parting words, D’Nae wants everyone to “Go Green (and recycle)!”
MEET patricia Abernathy
Ms. Abernathy was born and raised in Bessemer, Alabama, which
is 12 miles south of Birmingham. She joined the OAC about 18 months ago.
Family is very important to Pat. She is the oldest child of James and Elizabeth Ervin and has one sibling. She is the very proud mother
of four boys and is the beloved grandmother of six grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is also the loving wife of the late Hezekiah Abernathy III.
When raising her family, Pat would always help chaperone church trips with her children. She was always involved with their activities and would have been a great teacher. So, it makes sense that Ms. Abernathy’s favorite part of the job is helping our youngest guests enjoy our simulators, whether it’s fishing, the ORV or the snowmobile. Sharing her love of fishing comes from a lifelong love of the pastime. Her favorite memory at work was when a toddler asked Pat for her help. Pat asked if she wanted her mommy or daddy to help, and the little one responded, “I want you to help me.” It made Pat’s day!
Pat’s favorite outdoor activities are fishing and bicycling. You will
see Pat riding bikes all over the city. She has loved bicycling since she was very young. She can’t wait for the fair weather so thatshe can ride.
We feel so very fortunate to have Pat on our team. Her natural enthusiasm, desire to share her knowledge, and people skills make her a wonderful ambassador to the city, the state and the OAC.