Chris Ellis enjoys a moment with his son, Josh during a farewell luncheon hosted by the Environmental Programs Division, Thursday, June 28. Slow cooked ribs and other homemade dishes were served up as colleagues from the Justice & Regulatory department wished Chris and his family, a warm farewell, as he embarks on his next adventure.

TERO Division Head, Hilda Burch gave a heartfelt speech, congratulating Chris Ellis on his new career. Ellis will be moving to Palo Verde, Ariz., where he accepted a position as Plant Chemist for Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, a position Ellis describes as both exciting and challenging.

Ellis worked for the Tribe’s Air Quality Department for just over ten years, diligently collecting data, and creating new and improved ways to share air quality information in real-time with the membership, the Environmental Protection Agency, and regional entities.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum