Robin McClure has become a fixture in the City of Fairborn’s HR department.
She first joined the City—a suburb of nearby Dayton, Ohio—in September 1998, coming on board with as HR specialist. McClure spent nearly 20 years in that position before moving into her current role as HR director in March 2017.
An academic and medical secretary before transitioning to human resources upon joining the City, McClure knew that public service would be the ideal fit for her going forward.
“What drew me to a career in public sector HR is a genuine passion for people,” says McClure.
“I find it incredibly rewarding to support employees in navigating essential benefits like health, dental, vision, life insurance and retirement planning. The opportunity to make a meaningful impact, from the interview and hiring process, through career milestones, life events and into retirement, is something I truly value.”
McClure embraces HR’s duty to advocate for the workforce, saying that fulfilling that role for City of Fairborn employees is “both my responsibility and my goal.”
After nearly 28 years in the public sector HR profession, “I understand that I may not always be the most popular person, but I take pride in being a trusted resource; someone employees can rely on for guidance and support throughout their entire work life.”
McClure joined PSHRA as a member in September 2024, seeking that type of resource for herself and her peers in the public sector HR suite.
“Unlike broader HR organizations, [PSHRA’s] focused mission makes it both unique and especially valuable,” says McClure. “I appreciate the opportunity to connect with peers from across the country and share experiences. There’s a real sense of camaraderie in knowing that, no matter where we’re located, we’re all navigating many of the same challenges.”
After attending her first PSHRA national conference in Cleveland in 2025, McClure was inspired to get more involved with the Association at the local level. The end result was a new PSHRA chapter.
“When I realized there wasn’t a chapter serving Southwest Ohio, I took the initiative to start one,” says McClure of the Southwest Ohio PSHRA Chapter, which officially launched in February 2026.
McClure’s goal is to grow the chapter—which had 28 members RSVP for its first scheduled meeting in May—into “a strong, collaborative network that supports public sector HR professionals across our 15-county region,” she says.
“I truly believe this effort will have a meaningful impact and help strengthen the future of public sector HR in our area.”
McClure urges other public sector HR leaders to attend the PSHRA national conference, saying there’s “nothing quite like connecting with peers who understand the unique challenges we face” in the profession.
“The learning opportunities are outstanding, and the ability to share ideas, strategies and perspectives with others in the field makes it even more valuable,” she continues. “The sessions are excellent, but the connections you build along the way are what really make it special. That’s the awesome sauce on top!”
26 May 2026
Category
Stories of Impact
