OREGON – Jamie Nobis doesn’t look uncomfortable behind her new desk in her role as executive director of Rock River Center.
The Oregon native actually seems pretty at home.
“Sometimes things just happen for a reason, and I was in the right place at the right time,” said Nobis, who replaced Ann Haas, who retired on Dec. 14. “And I’d always wanted to work with seniors.”
Nobis joined Rock River Center as assistant executive director about two years ago after working for years with the Social Security Administration. That job had her working in Sterling, Rockford, Chicago and Baltimore.
She sought a change due to family, and applied for a part-time job at RRC. That turned into something much more, as Haas recommended Nobis learn the ropes to replace her when she retired.
“I spent a lot of time shadowing Ann,” Nobis said of the last two years.
Nobis said she learned a lot not only about the job, but also about how to treat people. She said Haas told her everyone who enjoys Rock River Center is like family.
“Ann just handles every situation with grace,” Nobis said of Haas. “She’s so giving of herself. She really was the heart of the Center.”
But Nobis is ready to put her own stamp on RRC, and she said she is off to a very busy start.
“We’re excited,” she said. “We’re adding a few new things.”
Nobis said she is seeking input from people who use Rock River Center, as well as people throughout the community.
“We just want to try and reach out to all of the seniors, all of the individuals that we’re trying to serve,” she said, adding those served range in age from 50 to 100.
She said one thing she learned after joining the Center is the variety of assistance it offers people. She said case workers at RRC can help people with paperwork for things including Medicare, Social Security, tax issues and prescription drug enrollment.
Nobis also praised the volunteers who have volunteered their time and money to help RRC.
“We couldn’t do it without a lot of volunteer efforts.”
As Nobis looks to the future, she said she understands that the interests of people reaching retirement age continue to change, and that Rock River Center wants to be there to meet their interests.
“To be progressive and offer a variety of programming that changes as the clientele changes,” she said of her goal. “As the generations change.”
One thing she hopes doesn’t change anytime soon is her own role.
“I probably have a good 20-30 years here myself, hopefully,” she said with a smile.
