Chris Pollard

Despite the notoriety of being placed on the “Missing Alumni” list, it’s never been my intent to fall off the grid with friends from Los Alamos.  I’ve just moved a lot and done a poor job keeping in touch with folks.  Therefore, I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

After graduating LAHS, I immediately left to work as a climbing guide in British Columbia for the summer.  When the experience in B.C. was over, I returned back to Los Alamos for a few weeks.  Luckily, and only by a thread, I managed to survive the antics of starting “Two Guys Construction” with Brian Riepe.   Probably the highlight of that summer, and a clue to what the Two Guys Construction experience was really like, was the infamous “wet cement war.”  It started on a small scale, such as a discrete flick of cement every now and then.  In short order, the concept escalated and closely resembled the food-fight scene from Animal House.  Too bad the homeowner had white carpet and we didn’t realize the French doors were wide open at the time.  When all the laughing on the job (and accidental destruction) was over, I hit the road to start my freshman year of college at Montana State University in Bozeman. 

Going to MSU was an outstanding experience.  The college selection process was somewhat simple, and certainly not traditional.  Step One, identify major mountain ranges.  Step Two, cross-reference good universities with those mountain ranges.  Step Three, as the clear winner, apply to MSU.  I spent as much time in the mountains as I did in the classroom, so it took a little longer to graduate (1993).  While there, I continued my interests in search and rescue, ski patrolling, and other EMS work.  I also met some great climbing partners and friends, as Bozeman is a huge draw for that sort of thing.  Time each summer, when not climbing all over the West, was spent kayaking, backpacking, and mountain biking in Montana.  I miss those days indeed. 

After graduating with a BA in Graphic Design, I worked for a couple of design firms in Santa Fe.  To keep things interesting, I also worked on the Santa Fe Ski Patrol and volunteered on the St. John’s Search and Rescue Team.  Eventually, I became tired of having five roommates and living in mouse-infested rentals just to make ends meet as a recent graduate.   So, after a couple of years, I decided to go to graduate school.  My goal was to earn a Master of Science degree in Safety and Risk Management from West Virginia University and then secure a “corporate job” with a large emergency response organization.  Funny thing—it worked!

I spent a little over 10 years working for American Medical Response, which operates in 36 states and transports over four million patients each year.  Needless to say, the scale of their emergency response operations took some getting used to.  I started as a Safety and Risk Coordinator in 1996, was promoted several times, and left in 2007 as a Regional Vice President of Quality, Leadership Development and Strategic Planning.  Along the way, I earned a second Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, completely remodeled our house, and became the owner of two Standard Poodles (more on that later).  The experiences I had with AMR were terrific.  However, in late 2006, I was ready to move on and felt it was also time to move out of the San Francisco Bay Area.

In July of 2007, I started a new job as the Director of Air Life of Oregon.  Based in Bend, we operate four medically-equipped emergency aircraft and run about 1,400 emergency calls each year.  I am lucky to have such a strong team of flight nurses, respiratory therapists, pilots and aircraft mechanics.  About nine months later, my role expanded.  In addition to my role at Air Life, I am also the Director of St. Charles Medical Center’s 36-bed Emergency Department and the Director of the Trauma Program in Central Oregon.  So, with basically three jobs, I am very busy but have a good team of managers to help lead our 170 or so staff members.  Based on a philosophy of helping those who respond to the emergency needs of others, the nature of the work is intensely satisfying.

I met my wife, Jessica, at a Halloween costume party in 1994.  I was a “dead caver,” complete with full spelunking garb, a shredded rope and authentic cave mud from head to toe.  Like Pig Pen, I left a trail of prehistoric dirt throughout the house and was forbidden from sitting on any of the furniture.  So, in retrospect, I think that set the proper tone when I met Jessica for the first time that night. 

We married in 1996, and have had a lot of fun together over the years.  She has been a tremendous wife, a solid partner and my best friend.  Her support and strength have touched my life and solidified our path together.  We do not have any kids, yet.  For now, we enjoy our two Standard Poodles named Pablo and Pico.  I never figured I would own Standard Poodles, but now I wouldn’t get any other kind of dog.  They are four-legged comedians and tremendously smart. 

We love living in Bend, Oregon and have a house right on the Deschutes River.  Consequently, we are trying to learn how to fly fish.  Based on preliminary results, we need a lot more practice!  I’ve only snagged my ear once, which quickly ended the “River Runs Through It” image for a few minutes.

Bend is much like Los Alamos in terms of weather, plants, rocks, etc.  As a bonus, the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Range are right outside town and there are numerous rivers, lakes, and trails to choose from.  It’s a magical place and a perfect spot for those interested in outdoor recreation.  Mt. Bachelor ski area is the fifth largest in the United States and it’s only a 25 minute drive from our house to the parking lot.  To switch gears from skiing all these years, I am trying to learn how to snowboard.  Believe me, I was shredding the bunny hill last season!  Or, that’s what I thought until a bunch of 6-year olds blazed past me with twice the grace and style.  

Anyway, and in closing, I hope to reconnect with everyone during the reunion event and very much appreciate all the hard work the planning committee has completed for the benefit of our graduating class.  Thank you.

See You Soon,

Chris & Jessica Pollard

Chris.pollard007@hotmail.com

Chris about half-way through the Haute Route, which is a 7-day backcountry ski traverse through the Alps from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland.  April, 2008.

Chris, in front, getting punished on the Haute Route while cresting a ridge in storm conditions

Jessica with Pico, the younger Standard Poodle

Pico, self portrait

Pablo, the older one

The pups, carrying out their guard dog responsibilities