Meet The Team: Eagle Rock’s Director of Operations, Susan M. Luna
In case you don’t know her, we’d like to introduce you to Susan Luna, who comes from a big family of educators, artists, tennis players and social activists, and serves as our director of operations.
Susan was born in Pueblo, a steel mill town in Southern Colorado, and was raised in Denver. She’s a graduate of East High School and the University of Colorado, where she earned her undergraduate degree in sociology (Boulder) and her master’s degree in urban and regional planning (Denver).
And it’s probably important that you know Susan has five older brothers. That would explain all the energy she expends on a daily basis. But don’t take our word for it; please read on.
Eagle Rock: What do you do here at Eagle Rock?
Susan: Currently, I’m the director of operations, which means I’m in charge of managing Eagle Rock’s business office, facilities and the kitchen. I am also responsible for a lot of the behind-the-scenes work in areas like human resources, safety, finances, auxiliary services, facilities, and plant and capital projects. I am also a member of the Ponderosa House team.
Eagle Rock: What did you do prior to coming to work for Eagle Rock?
Susan: I’ve been in the nonprofit sector for 20 years and have worked for a variety of human service organizations in and around Denver including the Enterprise Foundation, NEWSED, Jewish Community Center, Mile High United Way, Intermountain Tennis Association, Girl Scouts Mile Hi Council, Servicios de la Raza, and YMCA. Before coming to Eagle Rock, I was the executive director of the Denver Inner City Parish.
Eagle Rock: What attracted you to Eagle Rock?
Susan: My husband Dave Hoskins. He was an instructional specialist at Eagle Rock in 2000 when we started dating, so I heard a lot about the place from him and I visited the school once or twice while I was completing my master’s degree in Denver. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was engaged and living in Estes Park with David. A year or so later we moved on campus and I became a House Parent for Spruce House. My friends thought that I had lost my mind — and they may have been right — but I was up for the adventure and I jumped in with both feet. Luckily, Spruce had some incredible veteran students who helped make the experience enjoyable for me and I soon came to love the Eagle Rock community, the students, the mission, and the idea of being a part of something bigger than myself.
Eagle Rock: When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Susan: For me, time away from Eagle Rock is all about rest, recovery, and family responsibility. My 81-year-old father is living in my house down in Denver, and I am his primary caregiver, so I make weekly trips to the city to look after him, catch up on sleep, watch a movie or two and play some tennis. If I have more than a weekend of spare time, then I like to go relax in a natural hot spring, get massages, and, of course, play some more tennis.
Eagle Rock: What reality TV should you be on and why would you win or be kicked off?
Susan: I’m not into reality shows, but that’s not to say I don’t like TV. My favorite show is Continue reading…