Today we look closely at an essential educational program here at AALAS, the Institute for Laboratory Animal Management or ILAM. We are joined by the ILAM Class President for 2025, Perry Spires, a veteran Sales Specialist with over 20 years of experience at Hilltop Lab Animals, Inc. while boasting a BSc in Education. Perry begins with his job at Hilltop and how he uses his teaching experience in his current role before diving into ILAM and what it means to be Class President. We learn about ILAM’s target pool, the reasons to get involved with this program, how humor is maintained at ILAM and AALAS (and why this matters), and the people who Perry looks up to as motivation to keep pursuing excellence. To end, Perry shares the changes he’d make to improve the industry, what he’s looking forward to in his second year as ILAM Class President, and his advice to those starting their careers on a similar path.
Key Points From This Episode:
Perry Spires describes his job at Hilltop Lab Animals and how he got into this line of work. His background in teaching and how he uses those skills at Hilltop. Washing golf carts at the local golf course and other jobs he’s had along the way. The ins and outs of ILAM and Perry’s role in it. Who ILAM is for and why it’s a good idea to get involved. Skit Night and Human Human Hungry Hippos – the fun side of ILAM and AALAS. Perry’s mentors and the industry leaders he looks up to. The industry-wide improvements he’d like to see. What he’d like to accomplish in his second stint as ILAM Class President. His favorite Winston Churchill quote and his advice to newbies in the industry.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Institute for Laboratory Animal Management (ILAM)
AALAS Learning Library American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast