January 2012 Archives

Happy New Year! RMBL’s administrative office is already focusing on the upcoming summer season. Many researchers and students will migrate again to Gothic to continue their high-altitude field-based research on plants, animals, and ecosystems, and we are busy getting ready for them. Mix the needs of up to 120 researchers, 40 students and 60 staff plus visitors with a rustic housing stock and infrastructure from a century of structures and it makes every day of operating the Laboratory an adventure!

I started as Director of Finance and Operations at the opening of 2011’s summer season and witnessed a strong-knit yet open-minded community of scientists and students. As a professional with a Masters in Business Administration and environmental management background, my work at RMBL is a dream come true. I am able to do the things I know best in the phenomenal natural setting of the townsite of Gothic surrounded by the fascinating, enthusiastic and fun scientists that our Laboratory continually attracts.

I had the wonderful opportunity to stay in the former Director’s cabin - the McLeod cabin, where Dorothy & Chris Johnson had resided for many summers. I delighted in quietly sitting down at night by the crackling fireplace to listen to the history played out within the cabin’s walls. Conversing with different scientists during yummy breakfasts, delightful lunches or healthy dinners cooked by a creative Dining Hall staff, my days were made complete. Summer at Gothic with all its wildflowers and bright green plants is truly stunning!

With fall and the changing of the seasons the scientists finished their projects and slowly began to bid farewell. What is there to do in the Admin office when Gothic empties? Time continues to race by even after the bustling summer, in follow-up and preparation for the next upcoming season. We are evaluating the past season so we can improve our infrastructure, operations, research applications and systems. Then, during most of the fall, after the Admin office had to move back to Crested Butte (billy as always remains in Gothic), I worked on the budget for 2012 and beyond. You might call that boring, although I am highly intrigued by this process and the values the numbers speak of. I felt like I was solving very complex puzzles, celebrating when resolved. I am proud of the budget that the RMBL Board of Trustees has approved for 2012.

Now, at the beginning of the New Year, billy and I will work with our auditors to ensure that our finances are in order. Then soon enough, Laurel and I will prepare for the next summer season operations. I can say my job has been a highly diverse position with a variety of responsibilities that remain exciting. Please come visit us - either in our Crested Butte office or in Gothic any time of the year! I look forward to meeting you!