Summertime at KNOM is always a bittersweet season of hellos and goodbyes, with the turnover of service terms for our full-time volunteers. But this year, we have one more “goodbye” to say: to former-volunteer-turned-staffer Betsy Brennan.
For the past 3 years, Betsy has worked at KNOM as our development data manager, a position that gave her the unique opportunity to interact with many of our supporters, either on the telephone or via mail or email. It’s but the latest way she’s put her intellect, dedication, good humor, and charm to the task in service of Western Alaska at KNOM: she also worked part-time in the KNOM business office from 2006 to 2011 and, before that, served as a KNOM volunteer from 1988 to 1990. (She’s pictured, below, from her volunteer days.)
In mid-May, Betsy departed KNOM to embrace a different way of serving our rural Alaska community: as a criminal justice technician with the Alaska State Troopers in Nome. We will miss her immensely within our office but know she’ll continue to do great work in law enforcement (as well as with the Nome Board of Education, of which she is the president).
As to the legacy she leaves behind, Betsy has always brought sharp thinking, enthusiasm, and verve to her work at KNOM. She looks back on her tenure with our mission in this way:
I tend to think of time passing in terms of comparing it to my kids’ growth and age. I think about when I came back to work at KNOM part-time in 2006. My daughter was 3, and my son was 6. Now, they are 11 and 14. Where did the time fly?
It has been such a great experience working here — with wonderful, caring people. I have enjoyed speaking to donors and getting a small glimpse into their lives when they write notes and call. I have come full circle, again, now that I am leaving KNOM. I came to Nome through KNOM as a volunteer in 1988, then returned as an employee in 2006. KNOM will always hold a special place in my heart.
We know you’ll join us in wishing Betsy all the very best in the future. In concert with the donors with whom she so frequently interacted, we know that she made a great difference in the lives of so many in Western Alaska. We’ll miss you, Betsy!
