Bersheba Austin: Reaping the Rewards of Serving Others

Bersheba Austin had very good and practical reasons for becoming a public servant.

“Initially, my journey in the public sector started with the purpose of providing for my daughters and a path to retirement,” says Austin, who did in fact retire in December 2025.

That journey has given Austin much more over the 25-plus years since she took her first public sector job as a clerk typist in the City Meeting Center with the City of Anniston, Ala.

Austin went on to serve as the City’s human resources director for more than 11 years before her retirement. Prior to that, she was a payroll clerk from Sept. 2001 to March 2006, and an HR specialist with the City from March 2006 to April 2014.

But, the year she spent in a clerk capacity helped prepare her for those future roles.

“Working at Anniston City Meeting Center afforded me the opportunity familiarize myself with city government, employees and to serve the general public,” says Austin, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Faulkner University in 2008.

“The payroll clerk position expanded my knowledge of payroll and benefits coordination. The most rewarding part of each role was and is serving people. I never imagined that the true benefit of serving in the public sector would be the reward of serving others.”

Before joining the City of Anniston, Austin was a client technical support and training representative for a company that provided software for healthcare facilities. She also worked in various administrative roles, including payroll and HR at a local healthcare facility. Going to work for the City of Anniston also helped Austin find PSHRA. She joined the organization as a member in 2009.

While pursuing the Alabama Association of Public Personnel Administrators (AAPPA) HR Professional Certification, Austin had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Montoya, a public sector HR practitioner and PSHRA Honorary Life Membership recipient.

“Barbara was passionate about HR, particularly continuing education,” says Austin. “She encouraged me to ‘get involved.’ I had no idea that putting my hat in the ring for AAPPA secretary would lead me on the journey of serving as president of AAPPA as well as PSHRA’s Southern Region. (Austin served as that region’s president from 2022-2024.

Serving at the local chapter level led Austin to serve regionally and nationally with PSHRA. Her membership has connected her with “amazing HR professionals” from across the country, she says.

“Although our accents may be different, the core of what we do in public sector HR brings us together on common ground,” continues Austin, who currently serves on PSHRA’s Executive Council, and is PSHRA’s South Advisory Committee Chair.

“PSHRA membership and certifications programs helped me navigate through uncharted waters during the pandemic, and provides insight on legislative changes as well as access to top-tier HR professionals willing to share their experiences. PSHRA is more than membership—its community engagement.”

While Austin has retired, her passion for benefits and enrollment has led her to “pursue life, health and Medicare enrollment,” she says.

“This chapter of life allows me to remain engaged with public sector HR while assisting the general public with life after retirement benefits. Educating people in a way that leads them to making an informed decision is quite rewarding.”