New director at senior center

by Mark Dykes

May 1 was the first day for Lisa Pierce as the new director at the Hot Springs County Senior Services Center. Outgoing director Chanda Waddell, who will still be at the facility through the month, explained her husband Lance got a job in Fort Wayne, Ind., so they are moving there.

Waddell, who has been director of the facility for the past 2.5 years, feels like she learned a lot while in the position, and she is leaving a cohesive, driven and skilled team. She added she has no reason to think Pierce isn't a good fit for the facility.

Wadell appreciates the opportunity to have worked in Thermopolis, and said it's been a pleasure.

Pierce may be a new face at the senior center, but certainly not one around town. She has lived in Thermopolis the past 11 years, and worked with the Hot Springs County Library for eight months. Prior to that, she was a teacher for 29 years. Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Denver and a master's in Technology Integration from City College in Bellevue, Wash.

As the new director, Pierce is excited for the new opportunity, and hopes to do a lot while also contributing a lot to the community. She's still learning a lot in these first days, but would like to see some computers at the center for patrons' use.

On her first day, Pierce got a tour of the facility and met with the rest of the staff, whom she described as a great group of people to work with. She further commented positively on the center's recent remodel, and was amazed with the amount of space available inside.