Christie Hicks joined RMBL this summer as chief operating officer, bringing a background in environmental education, outdoor leadership, and nonprofit management. Before joining RMBL, she led Western Colorado University’s Wilderness Pursuits program and served as executive director of CB Nordic. We sat down with Christie to learn what drew her to RMBL, what excites her most about the role, and how she hopes to help support the organization’s future. .

Suzanne Ennis: What drew you to RMBL? What made you want to take on this role? 

Christie Hicks: I’ve been drawn to RMBL for a long time because of its focus on science and the environmental education piece with the kids’ programs, because that’s what my background is. My master’s is in environmental education, and I taught environmental studies and chemistry at the high school level for many years. 

When I first moved here, I always thought I’d go work at RMBL…. but it just never happened. I’ve always loved RMBL’s mission, and when I saw that they were hiring for a COO, after spending four years at home with my son, it seemed like the right opportunity. 

Suzanne: What excites you most as you settle into the position?

Christie: The most exciting thing is just being out in Gothic and becoming a part of this community, getting to know the scientists and the students who are visiting. We also just have an incredible team that is doing great work out here already, so getting to know them too.

Suzanne: For readers who may not know, what does a chief operating officer do at a place like RMBL? 

Christie: The COO’s job is to run the place so that our executive director, Jeni Blacklock, doesn’t have to do that anymore. 

RMBL is a complex operation. We’ve got about 70 buildings, 30 outhouses, a dining hall that serves three meals a day, seven days a week all summer long, the Visitor Center, and now we have RMBL 365, our new year-round lodging and events facility in Crested Butte. 

Right now I’m learning how Gothic operates in the summer and how RMBL 365 is being integrated into those current operations. Really, it’s about making sure we have the resources we need to support the science and the education that’s happening here on a daily basis, and making sure we have the resources we need for any future initiatives. 

Suzanne: What has surprised or impressed you most since arriving? 

Christie: I’ve been surprised and impressed by the longevity of some of the science going on here, and also the women who have been critical characters in the history of RMBL.  I love it. And now it’s carrying on to badass women running the organization! That’s awesome. Some cool ladies here, which I always love. 

Suzanne: When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? 

Christie: I mostly spend my time biking and skiing. I Nordic ski and ski on the resort with my kid. We mountain bike. I’ve always been a rafter, so we like to get out on boat trips every year. I also do a lot of yoga. I was a yoga teacher when I first moved here, and I was starting to teach again.  I love being outside, and I’ve always loved getting people outside. 

Suzanne: If you could wave a magic wand, what facility improvements would you most like to see at RMBL? 

Christie Hicks: We obviously have aging infrastructure. 

If I could wave a magic wand right now, I would electrify each of the cabins. We’d remove the propane tanks that are in close proximity to each of the cabins. 

I would do some serious hardening of all the cabin structures to make sure they are wildfire resistant and have proper vegetation clearance on all sides. I’d also renovate the inside of each cabin so that it’s sealed to keep out critters while still keeping the rustic character that’s really part of RMBL.  

Suzanne: What inspires you most about RMBL’s work? 

Christie: I’m really interested in the science, but also the stories that are coming out of that. 

We’ve got people out here measuring moisture in the ground and in the soil, but using that data to tell a story about how our planet is changing and what our role in that is —  that, to me, is the most powerful thing about RMBL right now. 

Every single scientist here has a story about what is happening with our planet right now. That’s the real reason I’m here. 

— Interview by Suzanne Ennis
Communications Manager
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Top: Christie hitting the trail