Meet staffer Reagan
We chatted recently with one of our new staff members, Reagan Wheelock, to get to know him better. Here’s the interview:
Tell me a little about your background or what you were doing before this position.
I am a Pacific Northwest native, having grown up in Auburn. I graduated high school from Green River College in Auburn and Northwest University in Kirkland for college. After finishing my BA degree from Northwest, I decided to dedicate my career to public service. Prior to joining the Disability Empowerment Center team, I gained five years of experience as an Employment Consultant working with folks with disabilities.
Why were you interested in joining Disability Empowerment Center?
DEC's mission, values and community impact are great matches for my personal values and passion. I am dedicated to community change and helping others move forward towards their goals. I truly feel privileged to be able to serve alongside such a diverse and committed team!
What's your favorite part of your job so far?
I am a huge people person, and I absolutely love people! I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know everyone on my team, and I can't wait to meet more consumers and program participants in the future.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Similar to most PNW natives, I absolutely love spending time outdoors in nature. Some of the parks around here, including Point Defiance, Mount Rainier National Park and the Hoh Rainforest, are some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! Outside of that, I enjoy hobbies including fitness, swimming, hiking, reading, cooking, music and spending time with friends and family.
Do you have any secret skills or something else to share that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have hidden skills in the area of public speaking. I first began formally learning how to speak in front of people when I was 8 years old. When I was 13, I spoke in front of 500+ people for the first time! One fun fact that I don't usually mention to people is that I am actually terrified of thunder and lightning. I am thankful everyday for the fact that thunderstorms are rare here!