June 11, 2024–Apalachicola, FL– Join us in a big shout out of “Happy Work Anniversary” to Susan Macken, Administrative Director at Apalachicola Riverkeeper (ARK). ARK got a large magnitude lucky break when Susan Macken retired to Apalachicola over a decade ago. In the summer of 2014, Susan began working part-time in our office on Water Street. Somehow, ten years has flown by! Susan oversees various office operations, such as the membership database, online store, and fielding inquiries from both visitors and residents throughout the Apalachicola River Basin. She’s also played a considerable role in ensuring the success of the International Coastal Clean Up. Talk with any board or staff member, and you’ll hear Susan has earned several work nicknames, such as, “The Glue,” “Pinch Hitter,” and “Tech Guru.” Her patience, team-orientedness, good humor, and willingness to take on challenges are assets to the organization. Susan has a knack for figuring out most anything when needed. For example, wifi down? Stay calm, Susan will run some diagnostics and call in a repair if needed (but probably not). If she doesn’t know how to do something needing done, she soon will. No office problem is any match for Ms. Macken (plus Google and You Tube).
Prior to relocating here, Susan worked as a special education teacher and administrator in several north Georgia school systems. Susan had been visiting Apalachicola since the mid-eighties and was quickly pulled in by the region’s vast natural beauty, returning repeatedly over the years. As she is known to explain, “I wasn’t born here but I got here just as fast as I could.” An ocean admirer, Susan walks hundreds of Franklin County coastline miles each year capturing countless photos (which frequent ARK’s social media). Susan lives in Carrabelle with her partner Jorge Hernandez and their two happily spoiled dogs Daisy and Iris.
We are all grateful for your decade of work at Apalachicola Riverkeeper, Susan!
