Last week, the Missoulian ran features on the Top 20
Under 40 in the Missoula area. As was
made evident in this series of articles, we are immensely fortunate to live in
a community of diverse, talented and dedicated individuals. One of these stories
highlighted a particular 31-year-old woman who is already beginning to make
quite the impact in Missoula County; our newest Commissioner, Nicole “Cola”
Rowley.
Martin Kidston’s article (post below) demonstrated Cola’s
determination well. For those that haven’t yet had the pleasure of working with
her, Cola digs in, works hard and expects the same from those around her. She
seeks the public’s input while considering decisions that affect the community.
In fact, Cola values honesty and the ability to have an open dialogue nearly
above all else, with the exclusion of a hard work ethic and having a sense of
humor.
“On the campaign trail people came from all directions to
share their thoughts on ways to improve the county or things that needed to be
changed,” Cola said. “Now that I’m actually in office, this dynamic has shifted
somewhat, but I still look for those conversations and invite the public to
become even more engaged with our processes.”
Since her oath on Jan. 1, Cola has been most surprised by
the “insular” nature of her role as a Commissioner. Because the public was so
involved in her campaign, Cola almost came to expect the same level of
participation within her new role. Instead, she has been surprised to find
herself in so many internal meetings. She is actively searching out ways to
bring the public into daily activities. Although the Commissioners’ meetings
are open to the public and there are always comment periods, Cola is looking to
continue picking the public’s brain.
This process is not at all atypical for the new
Commissioner. However, the application is very different.
Long before she was elected, Cola found herself “bored in
the summer” and began reading about the human brain while growing up in Sydney,
Montana. She was fascinated by neurology, even from a very young age, and
dreamt of becoming a medical doctor in adulthood.
“I went to Dickenson State University and majored in
biology with the intent to apply for med schools,” Cola said. “I even went
through the interview process for some but instead went to grad school.”
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| Commissioner Nicole "Cola" Rowley |
Cola later earned her PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology
from the University of Utah and spent much of her time working at a lab in
Norway to focus research on drug
development for neurological disorders.
She then returned back to her home state
in 2011 to do her post-doc work at Rocky Mountain Labs with husband, Steve.
Cola and Steve have been married for 11 years. In fact, the then 20-year old
took her vows by proxy while Steve was in Japan on a tour with the Marines. They
had only met one another in-person a small handful of times before marrying,
yet Cola says both “just kind of knew.” Together, Cola and Steve have two young
daughters; Raina (3) and Casey (9 months).
“I’ve changed careers so many times and
moved around so many times that I’ve learned to stop trying to control things,”
Cola said. “Things just happen and it’s worked out just to roll with it.”
Letting go makes you happier.”
·
Favorite book: The Cobra
Effect.
·
Favorite movie: Too long;
likes television instead.
·
Favorite TV show: Frasier.
·
Favorite quote: “Be sure you
put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”
– Abraham Lincoln.
http://www.co.missoula.mt.us/mcbcc/bccprofiles/CRprofile.htm
