Harold Thomas Herndon, Sr. is a retired Air Force Major and a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He was an educator for 20 years, serving as an instrumental music educator and administrator in the St. Mary’s County public school system. He earned a Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of Maryland.

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Born outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mr. Herndon moved to St. Mary’s county with his family in 1960 to help develop and implement an instrumental music program in the public schools. As a band leader and instrumental music teacher, he was responsible for the instrumental music programs at George Washington Carver School for a number of years, and, in 1967-68, for Great Mills High School as well. During that time his job encompassed leading high school marching and jazz bands and developing rudimentary music programs at the elementary schools in the county as well.

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Subsequently, he moved into administration, and served as Vice Principal at Carver, Spring Ridge Middle School, and Leonardtown High School. When asked how he felt about moving from music to administration, he replied that, although he wasn’t altogether happy about it at first, “… I could see where I could probably touch, and help more folks. …My job satisfaction was in being able to help folks. ”

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He left the field of education in 1980 to start his own business, Compliance Corporation, a security company which he still runs with his son, Harold Thomas Herndon Jr. (Tommy). He does not regret leaving the field of education, and is obviously proud of what he and his students accomplished over his twenty years in the field. His enjoyment was palpable in reminiscing about the achievements of his many bands and students like Janice Talbert Walthour, Francine Dove Hawkins, Steve Hawkins, and Orlando “Tubby” Smith.

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Mr. Herndon was interviewed on December 19, 2003 by Merideth Taylor in his office at Compliance Corporation in Lexington Park, as a part of the Great Mills High School oral history documentation of the school's desegregation. This interview is a part of UCAC collection.