West Virginia Farewell

Xavier Montoya was Acting State Conservationist of West Virginia from November 26, 2006 to January 20, 2007. Bill O'Donnell presented a going away gift. He returned to Indiana were he is now serving as the Acting State Conservationist. Below is his farewell note.

Wow it is amazing how quickly two months goes by. I feel like I have known many of you for years and I thank you for your friendship and guidance and for making my tenure here, short as it may have been, a memorable and fulfilling experience. I did not know what to expect when I was asked to come to West Virginia as acting State Conservationist, and I am sure you all did not know what to expect when you first heard my name. But we all made it through together, and I think, or at least hope, that we are all better for it, I know I am.

I have talked with your new State Conservationist Kevin Wickey many times and I have let him know that he is in very good hands with a group of dedicated and hard working employees. I have told him many times that he does not know how lucky he is, but he will soon find out. Please make Kevin feel welcome, as I know you all will, but also make him see just how good he has it in West Virginia.

And so it is with very mixed emotions that I bid you all a fond farewell and for those of you in the South Area a fond “See Y’all Later”, as now I are one. You all have truly made an impact in my career but most importantly in my life. I know that you all will make Kevin feel at home but I ask you to please show him the dignity and respect that you have honored me with in the past few months and I know that he will help you and the agency take conservation to the next level in West Virginia.

Farewell and good luck and I am sure that I will see many of you in our travels through life with this wonderful agency.

J. Xavier Montoya
Indiana NRCS
317.290.3200 ext 351 - Phone
317.290.3399 - Fax

< Back to February News and Views