They say good help is hard to find, and RARE-ly is it more true than out in the isolated Lake County region.
The well-intentioned pun refers to Katie Kargol, the newest Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) participant who recently arrived to work out of the Lake County Resources Initiative (LCRI) office as a renewable energy coordinator in Lakeview.
Kargol replaces David Wade, the RARE intern that previously worked with LCRI Exec. Dir. Jim Walls and Renewable Energy Specialist Bob Rogers on a variety of efforts centered primarily around renewable energy resources.
A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Kargol’s undergraduate studies focused on environmental studies. Following graduation, the Michigan native (for 18 years) moved to Portland.
Kargol initially established her roots working in the food service industry to start with, but eventually pursued the wind technician program at the Northwest Renewable Energy Institute in Vancouver, Wash.
There she participated in an intensive six-month training program that included the full spectrum of subjects related to wind power generation; from climbing the towers to varied technical aspects of wind power systems, such as theory related to electricity and hydraulics, Kargol studied it all.
Kargol said she struggled with her job search partly due to limited hiring with the unknown funding fate of the business energy tax incentive programs sought by many renewable energy firms during ongoing uncertain economic times.
Much of her training from NWREI applies across the board into other energy systems, and Kargol said her discovery of the RARE program held great appeal to her. She viewed the program as an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a field of personal interest.
“I just thought it was a great potential for me,” Kargol said.
Originally Published By: Lake County Examiner
739 N. 2nd St.
Lakeview OR, 97630
Main: 541-947-3378 FAX: 541-947-4359