Meet The Team — Eagle Rock’s Director of Public Allies, Mark Palmer

For the time being and at least until the new year, Mark Palmer remains our director of Public Allies, a position that at the end of this trimester, he will have held for the past seven years.

Mark’s currently in the process of applying for the Digital Animation and Visual Effects (DAVE) School in Orlando, Fla., and he hopes to hear from that institution early next year.

Meanwhile, he is actively helping our director of professional development, Michael Soguero, and the Public Allies folks search for a new director to replace him. And while we’re all sorry to see his eventual departure from Eagle Rock, that doesn’t cut him any slack when it comes to highlighting him in one of our not-so-infrequent Meet the Team blog posts:

So let’s hear more from our departing director:

Eagle Rock: What is it exactly that you do you do here at Eagle Rock?

Mark: As Eagle Rock’s director of Public Allies, I oversee the hiring, training and experience of the dozen Public Allies Teaching Fellows we bring onboard annually.

Eagle Rock: What did you do prior to coming to work for Eagle Rock?

Mark: I’ve been doing youth work for 16 years with organizations like The United States Peace Corps, The University of Minnesota, Echo Hill Outdoor School and the YMCA.

Eagle Rock: What attracted you to Eagle Rock?

Mark: Getting a chance to be around a community that has a focus on, not only change, but also working through those changes together. I loved the idea that we are all working on things in our lives and as a community we face those things head on. It’s hard to hide who you are at Eagle Rock and that is amazing and scary all at the same time.

Eagle Rock: When you’re not working, what do you do in your spare time?

Mark: Watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, fly fishing (I don’t catch too many fish, but I’ve gained a lot of experience) and maintaining a sarcastic nature.

Eagle Rock: What reality TV should you be on and why would you win or be kicked off?

Mark: World Wrestling Entertainment’s Tough Enough. I would be kicked off because I would probably insult Vince McManon (the company owner) with a snarky comment.

Eagle Rock: What’s your all-time favorite Eagle Rock success story?

Mark: When Eagle Rock student Renee Galardo found her love of science and being outdoors, it was an amazing transformation to watch. It led to great opportunities for her with the National Park Service and she has earned every bit of the success she is having.

Eagle Rock: What’s one thing not many people know about you?

Mark: I cry at the end of the movie Cool Runnings (Jamaican Bobsledding 4Life).