Can you 'find that smile'?

General Article
August 1, 2002

Self-labeled 'people person' relishes security-supervisor role

Anthony Jackson, security supervisor, pauses beside the high-tech monitors in the center's control room in the basement of the Hutchinson Building. Photo by Clay Eals

By CLAY EALS

"I just have to have a good, clear heart." Those may sound like the words of a philosopher or motivational specialist - but how about the security supervisor for the center?

They are, indeed. And that outlook is second nature for Anthony Jackson, who began that job five months ago.

"I believe in what I do," he said, "mainly with integrity, honesty, teamwork and treating people like people."

Jackson, who supervises a staff and contract security force of 22, is a familiar face at the center, having worked on the Day Campus for the contract security firm for most of the past five years. His earnestness, dependability and sense of humor made him an easy pick when former supervisor Bill Bush left for a job at the Port of Seattle and Jack Cusack, center security manager, had to hire a replacement.

"Anthony has an unbelievable passion to meet the security needs of this place," Cusack said. "He comes here weekends, nights. Whatever is needed to get the job done professionally, that's him."

Jackson mainly works a day shift, headquartered at his office at the center's control center in the basement of the Hutchinson building.

Assisting him is John Boyd, a former contract officer who recently became the center's full-time night security supervisor.

The staff whom Jackson supervises cover all center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance buildings and lots on the 13.5-acre Day Campus, as well as the center floors at Metropolitan Park East and West one mile to the south.

Jackson sees his job as "making sure the security officers are properly trained and have the proper equipment they need to do the job."

He reels off a long list of items, including digital cameras, digital recording system, color monitors, a patrol car, radios and an incident-report database that have improved the security department's ability to monitor and cope with illegal behavior that may arise on the center's ever-growing Day Campus.

"Jack Cusack has provided me the opportunity to mentally challenge myself," Jackson said, "and he has always provided the security staff with the best state-of-the-art equipment possible to do their job, because he believes in the security program here at the center."

15 years in Army

Jackson's attitude and skills stem from 15 years as a soldier and drill sergeant in the U.S. Army, during which he served in a variety of worldwide locations.

He received the Bronze Star for leading a convoy through Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War.

"I've been taking care of people all my life," he said. "Working at a world-renowned institution like Fred Hutchinson is just a continuation of that. The challenges are exceptional, but I have a lot of pride in the security staff."

One of Jackson's main roles, he said, is to inspire his staff helping them "bond as one team."

Especially in the face of health challenges faced by Alliance patients, Jackson said it's rare when he cannot improve a bad situation.

"Positive motivation is the key," he said. "You've got to dig deep and find that smile."

Jackson said he always ends the day on a positive note.

"I have no complaints," he said. "I have a great team, and I'm going to make a difference, providing the best security possible here."

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