From Zac Browning, beekeeper and PAm Director

There are many thoughts about Christi. A few...

She was inspiring to me. Fearless and outspoken. 

She was driven to help bees and beekeepers, because she thought it was the best thing she could use her talents for. She did not have a financial interest in the industry before starting PAm. 

In the beginning, there was a crisis, but not much money. There were no big corporate donors at first. She appeared at every meeting she could possibly attend telling the story of the work at PAm and asking for contributions, no matter the size. 

I remember well her fiery blue eyes, which could be quite intimidating, but to me, they foretold her passion and purpose as she watched and listened so intently.

I witnessed her attend meetings outside the beekeeping ilk, trying to forge coalitions and find new partners. At least some of those meetings were paid for out of her own pocket.

She was a force to be reckoned with, even when it came to settling arguments with passionate, well-respected beekeepers. On more than one occasion, I witnessed Christi cut through all the clamber and confusion of a rank discussion to point out obvious truth, apparent flaw, or to help find the common ground.

I really enjoyed working with Christi. I will always remember her strategic questions. She kept everybody on their toes, at least when she was serious. At a meeting in DC, at USDA, she politely asked the Deputy Administrator why honey bees and beekeepers were being ignored by NRCS. When he said they weren't, she replied, that based on the habitat mixtures, policies, and programs- they certainly were.

At another meeting of pollinator stakeholders in DC, Christi sat quietly observing a discussion of a workgroup that clearly had preconceived agenda, that did not represent the concerns of the attendees. She asked for the microphone and boldly asked the attendees if the discussion points were on track. When the answer was no, she stood up and started asking the beekeepers in the room what the issues were and what needed to be done. At that point, the thought leader yielded the floor to Christi, and she facilitated a new discussion.

Sadly, I did not keep up with her over the last few years, except occasionally on Facebook, but I sure feel the loss of a friend and the opportunity to catch up.