Ex-Naval officer to recruit at LAUSD. (People).

THE Los Angeles Unified School District has looked to the military to fill a top post.

The district's new chief human resources officer, Deborah D. Hirsh, will rely on her experience as a navy recruiter in implementing programs to attract teachers and counselors to the LAUSD.

"I am working on recruiting the very best teachers we can find," said Hirsh.

A career naval officer who reached the rank of captain before resigning her commission, Hirsh will be at the helm of a 325-person human resources department. She reports to Thomas Boysen, the district's chief operating officer.

"The end result is to help educate 735,000 students," she said. "When you have an efficient organization with people that take pride in what they do, you have the opportunity to achieve excellence."

A product of the ROTC, Hirsh began her career in the Navy as an unrestricted line officer. Half way through her 26-year career, she joined Navy recruiting, holding numerous top-level positions.

"I have had success in recruiting and always helped to lead successful mission attainment," she said. "I tried to create a culture that recognized individual human worth and dignity and a team spirit."

Most recently director of human resources at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, her move away from the Navy was precipitated when she moved to Los Angeles to assist her daughter in pursuit of an acting career.

"My expertise in bringing new talent is the principle reason I was hired. I thought that the job would be a perfect match for my experience. The idea is bringing my outside experience in Navy recruiting."

Hirsch has a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Colorado, and an MBA form California State University, Stanislaus. She lives near Toluca Lake with her husband and daughter.