O’Connell said. “I could immediately tell that she had the brains and the work ethic to take her career wherever she wanted to.” Bolack joined the DFW sustainability team in April 2019. Before coming to the airport, she started by doing consulting work for about 18 months, and then she became an environmental analyst at the DFW Airport, said Sarah Ziomek, sustainability project manager and Bolack’s supervisor. “Zoe is a tremendous asset to our team,” Ziomek said. “Her commitment helps amplify the airport-wide commitment to sustainability and our efforts to be an engaged and supportive member of the community. “She brings the technical expertise and research skills that are essential to developing holistic solutions to complex, sustainability and environmental challenges,” Ziomek added. In her role at DFW, Bolack advances air quality and climate action initiatives, Ziomek said. Bolack also supports and gives insight on sustainability projects and reports for the airport’s carbon neutrality accreditation, Ziomek added. “My typical day involves meeting with different stakeholders at the airport,” Bolack said. “This includes airlines, tenants and several internal departments, including our energy and design team and construction department to discuss upcoming projects and implementing energy and emission reduction initiatives.” Having Bolack is a big benefit for the airport because she does so much, Ziomek added. “She is an innovative thinker and continuously brings new ideas to the table,” Ziomek said. “Zoe’s ability to connect with different stakeholders and incorporate their concerns into our project approach helps to ensure our initiative is successful.”
LD BROWN DALLAS COUNTY TEXAS
Josh Lofton (second from left) and Beatrix Haggard (right) enjoy spending time with their girls, 4-year-old Roslynn (left) and 2-year-old Margaux. Photo by Isabelle Barrett.
FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS
From the beginning of their relationship, Josh Lofton and Beatrix Haggard have worked in the same office and department. The two met at Louisiana State University where they attended graduate school. Lofton is from Oklahoma, which is what brought them from LSU to Oklahoma State University. The couple married before joining the OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. “We ride to work together 90% of the year,” Haggard said. “But most of the time our jobs do not overlap as much as one might think.” “We eat lunch together every day,” Lofton said. “Considering we have two little girls, we value this time to decompress and spend time together.” They see each other multiple times a day, but their professional careers allow them to focus on different projects during the day while at work, Haggard said. “Ever since graduate school, our offices were together,” Haggard said. “We always try to make time during the work day to spend time together.” Being near one another at work has allowed them to help one another in their professional careers. “She is my go-to for creativity and someone I seek guidance from on brainstorming,” Lofton said. “We talk to each other about everything we are doing at work. She helps me a lot.” The couple said talking to one another is important, but so is listening. “When you work together and are around each other all the time, it is impossible not to communicate with one another,” Haggard said. “The reason you get married is because you enjoy each other’s company and that shouldn’t stop because you work together.” During their five years at OSU Lofton and Haggard have established a personal family as well as a professional one, Haggard said. “Growing up in Oklahoma, I have always been an OSU fan,” Lofton said. “But one day I hope my daughters are able to enjoy OSU and its traditions as much as we have.” Being closer to family was what brought Haggard and Lofton to OSU, but having the opportunity to do what they love with who they love was simply an added aspect, Lofton said. “You are supposed to love your spouse more every day,” Lofton said. “Working as closely as we do allows us to continue to do just that.” — CC VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2 | 57
