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After two decades of dedicated service to Rockbridge Area Community Services, Barbara Wright decided to “throw in the towel” and enjoy retired life. She retired June 16.
Wright was originally hired by Dr. Mike Gilmore in October 2000 as the assistant to the executive director. She worked solely in the office of the executive director throughout her tenure with RACS.
Wright was honored by the RACS board of directors on May 24 when she was presented with a gift and a warm send-off from members. In early June, her family and friends surprised her with a retirement party in Lexington. A few days later, current and former staff of RACS, along with some board members and members of Wrights’ family, celebrated her years of services with a retirement luncheon at RACS.
Wright was the staple figure in the executive office for 22 years. Over the years, she provided support to four different executive directors and countless board members.
“Each executive had different ideas, objectives and diverse personality; Barbara successfully and seamlessly adapted to each,” said current director Kim Shaw. “Barbara was always flexible and adapted to each management style successfully.”
Throughout the last 22 years, there were periods of time when the position of executive director was vacant, but Wright always kept the office open and running smoothly.
Shaw jokingly said, “Barbara always let ‘the exec’ think we were running things, but really she was orchestrating it all behind the scenes and keeping us in line! I will miss the easy camaraderie and conversation that was a constant between Barbara and I during the workday.”
In addition to being the executive assistant, Wright also served as the clerk of the board and the board historian. Over the years she has faithfully provided support to the executives, members of the RACS leadership team and the board of directors, said Shaw.
“Barbara was the keeper of all the knowledge and keys to the kingdom,” said Shaw. “She could provide historical information from memory – it was amazing.”
Gilmore noted, “After 22 years with the Community Services Board, her institutional knowledge is second to none.”
Gilmore went on to say: “During her tenure there was often considerable change at the Community Services Board, some of it tumultuous. Barbara, though, was a steadfast beacon of civility, politeness, and courtesy. Despite having to adapt to all sorts of change, she never wavered in her dedication, commitment, and sense of priorities. Her humor had a leavening effect, so what sometimes appeared to be a calamitous problem was often seen to be less so. She was the consummate manager of difficulties and troubles so that complications would not interfere with ultimate goals. Staff, board members, and community citizens knew she was the person who could get things done and done correctly.”
Dennis Cropper, executive director from 2003 to 2015, had this to say: “When I arrived at RACS as the new executive director, Barbara Wright was there to welcome me to my office. She immediately left a very positive first impression – and that did not change over the 12 years I spent at RACS. On day one she welcomed me and asked if she could do anything for me. On the second day she told me how things worked here – a good introduction to what I would need to learn about the agency, the staff and the area.
“Over the next 12 years she became not only the best admin assistant I ever had, but a dear friend,” continued Cropper. “We talked about work, families, politics (including the agency’s) and who was who in the community. I learned more from her than she could ever hope to learn from me. She had to adapt to change and to my management idiosyncrasies - and she did it well. Barbara was my right-hand person and she was also a tremendous asset to the agency. She has more than earned her retirement and I wish her the best!”
Wright also earned the respect of the board members.
“As a board member for more than 14 years, I’ve come to know Barbara in many ways, not only professionally, but also as a trusted and dear friend,” said Ann-Ashby McKissick. “Her talents are many; her knowledge of RACS, the employees, and all those connected to this great agency are vast and extend throughout Rockbridge and Bath counties. Her work ethic speaks for itself. Barbara truly is a role model for others and exemplifies her love and devotion to all those involved with providing or receiving services.”
A current co-worker at RACS, BreAnne Rogers, shared, “Barbara is one of those individuals that makes a lasting impression on anyone that she crosses paths with. Personally, her impact on me and my life is beyond what words could express and I am truly honored to have had the privilege to get to know her.”
The current executive director, Shaw, added, “For the past four years that I have worked with Barbara she has become like family to me. We shared life’s joys and sorrows and often said, ‘If only they’d listen to us, we could solve many of these problems.’ She was an extremely dedicated employee who rarely missed unplanned days from work. In addition to her dedication to the agency, Barbara always made her co-workers feel special by expressing genuine interest in and concern for their lives.”
Wright was raised in Alleghany County and has resided in the local area all of her adult life. She has two adult children, six grandchildren and one greatgrandchild.
Wright says she intends to enjoy retirement with her family, travel and spend as much time as possible doing whatever she chooses to do, even if that is nothing at all.
