Aspect recently welcomed Becky Dilba and Kelsey Mach to our Olympia office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know them better.
Becky Dilba, Staff Scientist
Becky making her way upwards in Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, Oregon
1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?
I grew up primarily in northwest Arizona and southern Oregon but have also lived in many other stops along the way. I attended college at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and earned my geology degree. After graduating in 2014, my husband and our two dogs relocated sight unseen to Olympia after he got a job with the state, and it has been our home ever since.
2. What inspired you to pursue geology? What made you curious about it?
Growing up on the side of a mountain, I spent most of my childhood outside collecting rocks and venturing into abandoned mine shafts. I now realize how dangerous that was, but as a kid it was so cool to see what it was like inside of a mountain. My grandpa continued to feed my curiosity, taking me on road trips to places like the Grand Canyon and Canyonlands National Park. After he passed away, I continued to explore on my own, visiting Crater Lake, Yellowstone, and Zion National Parks. I always wanted to be outside and always wanted to learn more about what shaped those places. After talking with my former geology high school teacher, I decided that pursuing a career in geology would allow me to continue to feed my soul, be outside, and always be learning.
3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?
I have always enjoyed the field work life, even with these soggy Pacific Northwest winters. I find that you must be a problem solver and quick to adapt to because what is written on paper rarely translates to what is actually on site. I also enjoy learning about all the latest remediation technologies and putting them to practice—knowing that I am doing my part, no matter how small, to protect this small piece of Earth I have chosen to inhabit.
4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
I am currently working towards starting my own guided hiking company so that has been a focus for me as of late. Typically, you can find me hiking in the mountains, paddleboarding on the Sound, or volunteering for my non-profit rescuing neglected and stray dogs.
5. Where in the world would you like to travel next?
Iceland is high on the “where to next” list. I hear that food and drinks are very expensive, which means I will have to BYOS – Bring My Own Snacks.
Kelsey Mach, Project Geologist
Kelsey hiking Dog Mountain along the Columbia River Gorge
1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?
I’m originally from central Pennsylvania, but I’ve moved around the country after graduation to Cody, Wyoming, El Paso, Texas, and Boulder, Colorado, before settling in for the last 4 years in western Washington which is my favorite place I’ve ever lived. I originally moved out here to join my now-husband who was stationed at JBLM, but now that he’s done with his contract, we’ve decided to make Washington our long-term home.
2. What inspired you to pursue geology ? What made you curious about it?
I was initially going to school for art, and after a year of art school I decided it wasn’t for me. I changed my major to environmental science because I was interested in learning more about the negative affects that humans have on the environment and how to counteract them. In my environmental science program, I met several geology students who spent their weekends mineral hunting, hiking, camping, and climbing and I decided those were my people. So, I finally settled on a degree in geology and have been nerding out about rocks and dirt ever since.
3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?
I really enjoy getting to work on projects that have a tangible goal with a direct impact. I love being able to meet and collaborate with the people who are affected by the projects I work on, and work together with them to come to a mutually beneficial solution. I also get excited by identifying and researching technologies that can make our work more efficient and effective.
4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Besides spending time with my husband and dog (a blue heeler/bull terrier mix named Billy), I have too many hobbies. I enjoy crafting (sewing and knitting clothes, building things, embroidering), looking at junk (thrift stores, estate sales, antique stores, beach combing), cooking and eating good food, travelling, gardening, and being outdoors (hiking, backpacking, camping). I also teach GIS and drones as an adjunct professor at a local community college.
5. Where would your dream house be located?
My dream house would probably be a renovated 1920s farmhouse with a gothic roof barn, located on 20ish acres, somewhere near a river or stream and rolling hills.