Careers at DEC

Before DEC

Before arriving in DEC I worked in several different departments, Community & Regional Affairs, Education, Revenue, Administration and several others that I can't recall at the moment. In 1998 I accepted the Finance Office position in DEC and eventually landed in the Operations Manager position.

During DEC

What I've enjoyed most about my job is that I deal with a variety of tasks from budget development, financial management, procurement to building management. It is something different every day so there is never a dull moment.

Although I have a lot of interests outside of work I would say that golf is probably my favorite. I'm a really bad golfer but what could be better than being in a nice sunny place, preferably Palm Springs, on a nice green golf course with a cold beer in hand and occasionally hitting a really good shot!

After DEC

After 32 years with the State of Alaska I will be retiring in just a few weeks. I will miss all the great people I've met here in DEC over the years and especially those that have been part of the DAS team. I have great confidence that these folks will continue to work their hardest to make DEC the best place to work.

Before DEC

Before DEC, I was a full-time FMH employee (maternity ward), and a full-time student, working towards a degree in nursing. While I loved the nurturing environment (what better way to spend your days than hugging a newborn?), the schedule of being a newly-wed, working swing shifts, and going to school full-time began to wear. It was then that my-mother-in-law encouraged me to apply for a part-time opening with DEC. With my family's blessing, I applied for the job, and, as they say, the rest is history.

During DEC

When I started at DEC in 1984 as a part-time data entry clerk for the North Slope District Office managed under Larry Dietrick. Since that humble beginning, I completed my degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and have blossomed at DEC, working within many programs. My duties have ranged from Permit Information Office Administrative Support, to District Office Secretary, to Water Quality Technician, to Air's QMS Program Specialist IV. I've enjoyed the mentorship of many wonderful DEC staff over the years, and am grateful for all they've had to share. It is now my goal to pass along the good karma, and share and mentor with others.

After DEC

My free time is filled with caring for my family. I enjoy singing and have passed that passion along to my daughter. When I'm not singing, I'm busy attending her concerts and recitals. Over the years, I have been the "school mom" for many of my children's activities, leading my son's Boy Scout troop, chaperoning the choir on National tours, and just being "mom" for my children and their friends.

Fun Facts

• I am a member of the Pioneers of Alaska, Igloo #8
• After a 20-year hiatus, I returned to the stage in FLOT's recent production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
• Notable Quote: "it takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are" ~ e.e. cummings

Before DEC

I was born & raised in near Meadville, PA. After high school I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), near Punxsutawney (home of the famous groundhog), majoring in Computer Science. After 2 ½ years, I realized I didn't really know what I wanted to be when I grew up! In 1978, I joined the Air Force in avionics systems repair and finished as a Quality Assurance Evaluator. My favorite assignment was Eielson AFB, AK! In 1999, I retired from the Air Force & returned to North Pole, AK. I was a book clerk at Gulliver's Books for 5 years before joining DEC in 2004.

During DEC

I am the Office Assistant III in the Fairbanks Air Quality office, the first and only to serve in this position! I really enjoy working with the folks in Air Quality and assisting their efforts. The people are the best part of working for DEC.

After DEC

In my other life, I enjoy reading, gardening, fishing – especially for halibut in Valdez, and my grandchildren. I am very active in my American Legion Post, where I am a 2-time past commander.

Fun Facts

• Last year, in April, I did a ride-along on the haul road to Deadhorse with my truck diving neighbor. What a blast! I'm ready to go again!
• My favorite movie is Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein or (wait!), maybe Monty Python's the Holy Grail. So hard to choose!
• I STILL don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

Before DEC

I was going to be a therapist. I got a masters degree in Clinical Psychology and worked at the University affiliated Program which is federally funded to connect academia with businesses providing services to individuals who experience disabilities. Right before coming to DEC, I helped host a large international conference for people who experience disabilities. Making sure Anchorage could handle 1,000 people with disabilities and spoke different languages was a huge task. We travelled to New York and received funding from the United Nations. The event was developed to empower people with disabilities to advocate for their own rights. It was pretty amazing.

I originally came to DEC to help create outreach materials such as webpages and brochures and organize meetings and conferences. I did that for four years and then became the Director for the Division of Environmental Health.

During DEC

I am currently the Director for the Division of Environmental Health and LOVE my job. The Division of Environmental Health is extremely diverse. Every day brings unique challenges that require complex problem solving. While the programs may look unrelated from the outside, synergy often occurs with diverse programs connecting to provide holistic solutions. How did I learn to do my job? Practice. I have the benefit of being the Director for 10 years. That experience helps me see problems further out on the horizon and address them when they are still manageable. My background in psychology and advocacy provide great building blocks as well.

After DEC

Enjoy Alaska! Spend time with my precocious 4-year-old. Garden. I'm a master gardener and have a special passion for perennials. During the winter I invest all that gardening time in knitting and playing the Accordion. When I turned 40 I decided to learn an instrument. I'd never played anything before and picked the Accordion. I've been taking lessons From Marge Ford (of Marge Ford and the Polka Chips fame) for a year now and am starting to get the hang of it all. Hopefully I'll be joining my husband's band soon for a show!

Fun Facts

• I love to travel. We are taking an Accordion trip to Slovenia this fall. High in my list to visit is Cuba.
• I was working on a newsletter for the Drinking Water Program shortly after I started. I was helping Art Rominus write an article on some engineering topic when he realized that he had worked with my dad many years ago. He turned bright red and said "I changed your diaper!"
• Quotable quote: "Wash your hands!"