Spotlight on Volunteers by Skip Kay, C.P.M. Board Director and Communications Committee Chair
April's Interview Bobbie Ascarate

This month's "Spotlight on Volunteers" features Bobbie Ascarate, an active member of our Educational Resources Committee and the Chairperson for 2002 Forum. We asked Bobbie to give us a little insight about herself and she gracefully responded:

A small town near Boston in Massachusetts was where I was born and lived until I was eleven. My family moved to Whittier, California at that time so I really consider myself a Californian.

The majority of my career was in purchasing - manufacturing firms in the petroleum, security systems and computer industries. These experiences provided the opportunity to develop life-long friendships, travel internationally, and see many facets of business cultures.

In 1994, I had a great opportunity to move into project management. Leading teams to successful completion of a particular project was challenging and always exciting. Working with customers, internal teams and suppliers gave real meaning to supply management.

In 1998, I left the known corporate world and took a major "leap of faith" by started my own consulting company - RDA & Associates (Roberta Dianne Ascarate). The focus of my business is assisting clients with Supply and Project Management issues.

Facilitating workshops has been a part of my career that I have always enjoyed. The topics have evolved from the skill-based workshops to more thought-provoking life balance issues. Perhaps the fragile world situation plus my own personal journey has led to this evolution.

On a personal note - I have given myself the gift of time over the past three years to bring my life into greater balance. With maturity and life experiences has come the insight to step back and view circumstances with a wider lens. My time now is more evenly distributed amongst being with family and friends, developing my consulting business, teaching Supply Management at Coastline College, facilitating workshops, volunteer work, dancing, travel, enjoying music, yoga, hiking, movies and reading. The proverbial "taking time to smell the roses" would apply.

Currently I am participating in a Cross Cultural Mediation Certification Training program. This is a fascinating process. The awareness and skills I am learning as a result of this course will be of value in my professional and personal life. Being a life-long learner is one of the ways life stays interesting.

Speaking of life-long learning, the Forum comes to mind. We (the Forum committee) have planned a day of informative speakers and a lively lunchtime cultural event. The committee has put a great deal of thought and effort into providing an excellent educational and entertaining event for the membership and other guests. Seeing the plans materialize the day of the Forum will be a rewarding experience.

I was asked about mentors. There are many teachers and mentors in my life - too many to name them all. Some are in NAPMOC of course, as this has been a professional association that I have been a part of since 1982. Two of my greatest teachers that I will name are my sons (now adult young men) Michael and David.

Future plans include more travel. Visiting some of the countries that I traveled to on business but now taking more time to really absorb the experience. Hawaii is another place I would like to go to again - particularly the less populated island of Hawaii. Trekking lightly across the black lava to view the active volcano Kilauea was one of the highlights of a previous stay. Although I have never skied (and do not want to risk broken bones at this stage of my life) I would like to cross county ski. Also, continue travel within the United States - there are some wonderful national parks for camping and yoga retreats that I plan to visit.