CareerTech Champion Rob Hudson

CareerTech Champion graphic

As District Attorney for Payne and Logan counties, Rob Hudson makes critical decisions every day of the week - some involving life and death issues.

What prepares an individual to accept and succeed at responsibility of this magnitude?

Hudson gives much of the credit to his career technology education (formerly vocational and technical education) classes at Guthrie High School and the associated student organizations: agricultural education - FFA and marketing education - DECA.

That's why Hudson has been recognized as one of Oklahoma's CareerTech Champions.

CareerTech Champions are alumni of programs or student organizations of Oklahoma's Career and Technology system, who have found success in a career and attribute much of that success to their career and technology education experience.

"At a very impressionable time in my life, participation in agricultural education, DECA and FFA helped mold me into the person I am today. It definitely served as a springboard to any successes I have enjoyed," Hudson said.

Hudson comes by his career and technology background naturally. His father and brother both served as officers in Guthrie High School's FFA chapter, so he was anxious to follow tradition. Hudson later served as FFA state vice-president for the Central District.

"My high school memories are full of team work, giving speeches, formulating and executing projects, learning parliamentary procedures, and taking advantage of leadership opportunities offered through these organizations. Involvement in these activities opened many doors for me. And, it was great fun!" said Hudson.

Hudson also believes that the teachers involved in career and technology education and student organization sponsorship are among the finest professionals in Oklahoma.

"Those people were more than instructors to me. They were mentors and built-in counselors," said Hudson. "This is a quality that seems to permeate Oklahoma's CareerTech system. These teachers care, they are personable, and that makes a difference."

Image of a casual Rob Hudson standing in cattle pen Hudson later went on to enroll in Oklahoma State University's agricultural education program with a double major in agricultural economics and accounting. Even though no clear career path had surfaced, Hudson's CareerTech education proved valuable many times throughout his college career.

"I expected success in college. I was a confident student because of the successes I had enjoyed in high school," he remembers.

In 1980, Hudson earned bachelor degrees in agricultural economics and accounting. He was one of the top five graduating seniors from OSU that year and was also named the College of Agriculture's Outstanding Graduate.

After college, Hudson attended the University of Oklahoma School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate (with honors) in 1983.

Hudson later opened a private law practice in Guthrie and practiced there for 13 years, until the position of District Attorney for the Ninth Judicial District (Payne and Logan County) became available.

"Becoming a district attorney was not my lifelong goal. My ultimate goal was to be a federal judge. But someone that I greatly respect encouraged me to take a look at the job," said Hudson. Soon thereafter, he was selected for and accepted the position.

Hudson has achieved several major accomplishments as district attorney including the implementation of a Drug Task Force, which has generated a record number of drug charges. Hudson and his staff have also collected and distributed the highest amount of restitution to victims of crime in the district's history.

When considering his own career journey to date, Hudson advises students to find a mentor as they look toward the future.
Image of Rob Hudson reading law book
"Find someone of high moral character in a profession that interests you. Form a partnership and emulate that person," Hudson said.

Also high on Hudson's list of priorities for students is spirituality.

"One of the best things a student can do is to get his or her spiritual life in order," Hudson said. "Faith can direct your life."

Hudson says he uses the lessons he learned as a high school student every day, even as a district attorney.

"Public speaking, etiquette, writing skills, parliamentary procedure, proper introductions, team building, self-confidence -- these are things I use every hour of every day," he said.

"Looking back, career and technology education stands for all the right things. I received more than an education. I got life's lessons."

posted 1/8/2001

Story y:Vicki Marton
Communications and Marketing

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	As District Attorney for Payne and Logan counties, Rob Hudson makes critical decisions every day of the week - some involving life and death issues. What prepares an individual to accept and succeed at responsibility of this magnitude? Hudson gives much of the credit to his career technology education (formerly vocational and technical education) classes at Guthrie High School and the associated student organizations: agricultural education - FFA and marketing education - DECA. That's why Hudson has been recognized as one of Oklahoma's CareerTech Champions. CareerTech Champions are alumni of programs or student organizations of Oklahoma's Career and Technology system, who have found success in a career and attribute much of that success to their career and technology education experience. "At a very impressionable time in my life, participation in agricultural education, DECA and FFA helped mold me into the person I am today. It definitely served as a springboard to any successes I have enjoyed," Hudson said. Hudson comes by his career and technology background naturally. His father and brother both served as officers in Guthrie High School's FFA chapter, so he was anxious to follow tradition. Hudson later served as FFA state vice-president for the Central District. "My high school memories are full of team work, giving speeches, formulating and executing projects, learning parliamentary procedures, and taking advantage of leadership opportunities offered through these organizations. Involvement in these activities opened many doors for me. And, it was great fun!" said Hudson. Hudson also believes that the teachers involved in career and technology education and student organization sponsorship are among the finest professionals in Oklahoma. "Those people were more than instructors to me. They were mentors and built-in counselors," said Hudson. "This is a quality that seems to permeate Oklahoma's CareerTech system. These teachers care, they are personable, and that makes a difference." Hudson later went on to enroll in Oklahoma State University's agricultural education program with a double major in agricultural economics and accounting. Even though no clear career path had surfaced, Hudson's CareerTech education proved valuable many times throughout his college career. "I expected success in college. I was a confident student because of the successes I had enjoyed in high school," he remembers. In 1980, Hudson earned bachelor degrees in agricultural economics and accounting. He was one of the top five graduating seniors from OSU that year and was also named the College of Agriculture's Outstanding Graduate. After college, Hudson attended the University of Oklahoma School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate (with honors) in 1983. Hudson later opened a private law practice in Guthrie and practiced there for 13 years, until the position of District Attorney for the Ninth Judicial District (Payne and Logan County) became available. "Becoming a district attorney was not my lifelong goal. My ultimate goal was to be a federal judge. But someone that I greatly respect encouraged me to take a look at the job," said Hudson. Soon thereafter, he was selected for and accepted the position. Hudson has achieved several major accomplishments as district attorney including the implementation of a Drug Task Force, which has generated a record number of drug charges. Hudson and his staff have also collected and distributed the highest amount of restitution to victims of crime in the district's history. When considering his own career journey to date, Hudson advises students to find a mentor as they look toward the future. "Find someone of high moral character in a profession that interests you. Form a partnership and emulate that person," Hudson said. Also high on Hudson's list of priorities for students is spirituality. "One of the best things a student can do is to get his or her spiritual life in order," Hudson said. "Faith can direct your life." Hudson says he uses the lessons he learned as a high school student every day, even as a district attorney. "Public speaking, etiquette, writing skills, parliamentary procedure, proper introductions, team building, self-confidence -- these are things I use every hour of every day," he said. "Looking back, career and technology education stands for all the right things. I received more than an education. I got life's lessons."
	posted 1/8/2001	Story y:Vicki Marton Communications and Marketing