Gathering Waters wishes Dana Chabot a fond farewell as he retires!
We’ll remember 2020 for many things.
At Gathering Waters, 2020 marked the end of an era as Dana Chabot, our longtime financial manager, passed his sharp pencil and calculator to the next generation after 20 years of exceptional service.
Starting as a volunteer during Vicki Elkin’s tenure as Gathering Waters’ executive director, Dana has been involved with the organization since 2002. For a time, he served as Gathering Waters’ interim director and has acted as the resident financial guru under the leadership of Vicki Elkin, Mike Strigel, and current executive director, Mike Carlson.
Dana’s influence has also extended far beyond Gathering Waters, as he’s provided accounting support to more than two dozen nonprofit organizations through the years, including at least six Wisconsin land trusts.
In November 2020, Gathering Waters staff and board members celebrated Dana and his wife Pat at a small, socially distanced gathering on the Table Bluff segment of the Ice Age Trail. We joined together for a hike on a gorgeous fall afternoon and wished them a fond farewell.
“Dana has been an integral part of the Gathering Waters team since before I joined the organization more than a decade ago,” said Mike Carlson, executive director. “We’ll miss his good-humored banter, his love for the land, along with his unmatched expertise of land trusts, conservation, and nonprofit administration. Dana has been invaluable to the Gathering Waters. His regular presence will be missed, but he will continue to be a life-long friend.”
We will all miss Dana, but not just because of his financial acumen. He was so much more than that to so many.
To new employees, he was a reliable and knowledgeable resource. To clients, he was a trusted advisor. To countless board members, he was a calm, candid voice during even the most complex and challenging of times.
And to many people, he was simply a great friend and supporter of land and water protection.
Dana loved his job and his authentic love for the outdoors is obvious to everyone who’s known him. It shows through in his years of dedication, sense of service, pursuit of knowledge, and generous financial support to many conservation organizations.
Before embarking on his new adventure, Dana searched, interviewed, and recruited a replacement who can step into the proverbial large shoes he leaves behind.
Dana’s commitment to conservation and nonprofit work has helped to ensure Gathering Waters and many other organizations can continue to make a difference in the world.
We wish Dana and his family all the best! Thank you for your service, Dana.
