New Executive Director Joins Swan Valley Connections

SWAN VALLEY – From an early fascination with John Wayne, Missouri native Rebecca Ramsey couldn't believe that people really lived that way. Now more than three decades later, Ramsey is quick to call the Swan Valley home after being hired as Swan Valley Connections new executive director.

Ramsey is originally from St. Louis, Mo. She first came to Montana in 1984 with her grandparents when she declared "I'm moving to Montana!"

Ramsey received her Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and minors in Journalism and Equestrian Science from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo.

Ramsey worked as a horse-breeding farm manager until moving to Montana's Ruby Valley in 1998. She did "whatever it takes to stay here" including managing a couple guest ranches and working as a realtor, substitute teacher, massage therapist and vet tech. She has also been the Executive Director of the Virginia City Area Chamber of Commerce and the volunteer coordinator for the Red Ants Pants Music Festival. The last nine years she has been the watershed coordinator for the Ruby Valley Conservation District in Sheridan, Mont.

In 2009 Ramsey came to Kalispell to testify for a Future Fisheries grant. She took an extended weekend and camped near Lindbergh Lake.

"I absolutely fell in love," said Ramsey. "After that I always thought if there was one place else that I could live in the state besides the Ruby, I would love the Swan."

Ramsey said that the Ruby Watershed group had doubled its capacity under her leadership. They were looking to shift their focus towards more projects and have less of an education focus. When a Red Ants Pants Foundation Board told Ramsey about the position at Swan Valley Connection she thought it was a perfect match. Her first day at SVC was Sept. 18.

Ramsey feels that her experience from the Ruby Valley has prepared her to carry the work and the mission of SVC forward. She developed a reputation of bringing people together and loves networking and making connections.

"I'm a huge believer that if we are concerned about the same issue [for example trees] while we may have different lens about why we like trees, we have 80 percent in common if we are coming to the table and 20 percent that we disagree on," said Ramsey. "Can we put that [20 percent] aside and focus on the 80 percent that we have in common? How do we come up with a solution together? I want to meet people where they are, find out what their needs are and try to fulfill those needs."

Ramsey looks forward to being a part of the diverse team that already has a "great statewide reputation."

"I want everyone here to be at their highest and best use," said Ramsey. "I really hope to create a harmonious culture where everyone feels valued and are doing their best work."

She is excited about SVC's strong education component and the experiential learning institute. She looks forward to enhancing the collegiate opportunities and doing more community outreach and education.

Ramsey looks forward to continuing SVC's work with wildlife conflict prevention, research projects and "being an information clearing house of the community on all things natural resource." She will continue to build conservation partnerships and seek the funding needed to keep projects going.

"Probably my biggest skill set is listening to understand and speaking to be understood," said Ramsey. "I am an ambassador of love. I hope to be an ambassador for what we do in the community, amongst my staff and continuing a harmonious environment here and in the community."

Ramsey sees relationship building within the community and getting to know the needs of the community as a priority. She wants to make SVC an invaluable information resource for the community.

"We are here to service the community," said Ramsey. "I have an open door policy and I'm happy to meet with anyone in the community about anything. I want to learn the culture, the history, the needs, the opportunities and try to create harmony together."

As a part of the 2018 Class for Leadership, Ramsey is learning how to create gracious space – a space for civic dialogue.

"We are all here for generally the same reason, this is a fabulous place to live," said Ramsey. "I'm sure we all want to protect and enhance that."

SVC is planning a 20-year celebration to honor the visionaries who started Swan Ecosystem Center and Northwest Connections, the parent organizations to SVC. This will be held in December with details coming soon.

When Ramsey is not working, one of her passions is enjoying all kinds of live music. She also loves to hike, cross country ski, fly fish and ride her horse with her pack of standard poodles, watch hockey, cook. This past year she has volunteered with the Montana Dental Outreach Team to provide services in rural Jamaica and the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda.

Ramsey said, "This was an opportunity to fulfill my dream of living in the Swan and I'm so excited to be here...I feel like I'm home," said Ramsey.