Employee Spotlight: Carroll Hood

Carroll Hood is a Senior System Architect working both business development and program execution activities for Riverside in the DC area.  He has been working within the environmental data and information management domain for over 30 years.  He studied oceanography and remote sensing in college (but, the world was flat back then, so the equations were much simpler.)

Carroll was born in the Midwest, spent his formative years in the Southeast, and spent the first 20 years of his professional career in the DC area.  He moved to Colorado in 2001, but returned to the DC area this past year when Riverside gave him the opportunity to return to his environmental roots.

Carroll enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and geocaching. He and his wife now live on Kent Island (across the Bay Bridge from Annapolis) – a world away from the DC/Beltway madness, yet close enough to take advantage of all the culinary and cultural benefits.  Most importantly, he remains a Denver Broncos fan.

1. What three traits describe you?

I am passionate about my beliefs, but respectful of opposing points of view.

I have the ability to see the “big picture.”

I have a quick wit (many people appreciate my sense of humor; notable exceptions include men, women, and most children.)

1. What are you most excited or passionate about in your career?

I am most passionate about having the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the understanding and preservation of our environment.

1. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?

I was an official National Weather Service “weather observer” in college.  The University of South Carolina had a weather station that was located right outside my dorm.  Ever evening before dinner, I would go outside and record the daily observations in a log book. Every month, I would send the log sheets to the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, NC.

1. What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

Idealistically, I would be writing my novel.  I like to eat, so realistically, I would be sitting at a desk, working for a large corporation, 36 layers down the hierarchical ladder.

1. Who lives in your house (people, pets, etc.)?

My wife, Ginny, and my dog, Luca.  Ginny and I have been married for almost 37 years. Luca is a shepherd/malamute mix, weighs 100 lbs, and thinks he is a lap dog.  We have two children who are out on their own.  Jason lives in Hartford, CT and is a manager for General Mills.  Lauren is a graduate student at the University of Washington studying neurobiology.

1. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I have found a geocache in all 50 states.

1. If you could have a dinner party and invite any four people, dead or alive, who makes the guest list?

Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Michelangelo, Maureen McCormick (Marsha Brady). If Marsha snubs my invitation, then I would add Hank Aaron to the list.

1. If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?

I presume that the question was intended to be about an historical event in the past, but I would prefer to observe one in the future.  That event is the one that proves unequivocally that we are not the only intelligent beings in the universe.

1. What trend would you like to see go away forever?

Congressional Gridlock

1. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

I would choose the ability to manipulate space-time.  Why not dream big?

1. Tell us about your most unique travel experience.

I was attending a conference in Brighton, England in the 80’s when “the Storm of the Century” hit the coastline.  The windows of my hotel room blew out while I was sitting on the bed.  Yes, it scared the crap out of me.

1. What’s your #1 item on your bucket list?

I would really love to attend a World Series game.  In 2007, when the Rockies hosted two games at Coors Field, I was at a conference in Ottawa for which I had registered months before. Not only did I miss the opportunity to spend an ungodly amount of money to sit in the Rockpile, I had to suffer the indignity of watching the games on TV in French.

1. If you could be on any TV game show, what would it be and why?

Jeopardy – I love trivia.  I would go down in flames if the Final Jeopardy category were “Actors and their Roles” or “Literature.”  Conversely, I would clean house if it were “US Geography.”

1. Tell us your favorite joke.

Heisenberg and Schrödinger are travelling in a car.  A cop pulls them over.  “Do you know how fast you were going?” asks the cop.   “No,” replies Heisenberg, “but, I know exactly where I am!”   “A couple of smart-asses,” replies the cop. “I’m going to search your car.”  After a minute, he comes back to the driver’s side window.  “Do you know there’s a dead cat in the trunk?”  To which Schrödinger replies, “I do now!”

1. What movie could you watch over and over? Why?

LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring – the screenplay and cinematography were amazing.

1. Tell me about your best friend.

She is my wife.

1. Who would play you in a movie about your life? What would be the title of that movie?

Matthew McConaughey, “Still Crazy After All These Years”

1. Tell us about your best live performance experience.

I got to attend the 2008 Democratic Convention event at Sports Authority Field in Denver.  There were many live performers as well as the acceptance speech from soon-to-be President Obama – a really historical event.

1. If you could choose one amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?

On-site doggie day care