Celebrating Kristen Klaphake

My time at WEST has been filled with memorable experiences and significant personal growth. One of my favorite memories at WEST revolves around the camaraderie and teamwork that characterized our small office in Laramie, Wyoming. Working closely with colleagues like Grant Gardner, whose desk was just a few feet away from mine, fostered a strong sense of community and collaboration. We now work remotely from opposite coasts, but still have the same connections we shared in the Laramie office. 

Among the accomplishments I’m proudest of during my tenure at WEST is my transition to the Geographic Information System (GIS) Quality Coordinator role. Starting as a part-time GIS Analyst supporting fieldwork, spatial analytics, and reporting, I had the opportunity to engage in a wide array of projects—from on-site surveys to big data analytics. One standout experience was accompanying a biologist to a wind farm in Wyoming, where we participated in searcher efficiency trials involving turkey carcass decoys. Despite challenging weather conditions with snow drifts around the turbines, we successfully placed and retrieved decoys, displaying the dedication and teamwork that define WEST’s approach to teamwork. 

As GIS Quality Coordinator, I look forward to new challenges which will allow me to collaborate more extensively across departments. WEST has not only equipped me with technical skills but also nurtured a passion for environmental stewardship and interdisciplinary teamwork, which I carry with me into this new role.

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