[at-l] A Day In The Life...A short Intro

[GRoberts at npr.org (Gary Roberts)]

I have been chosen to be highlighted in our (NPR-Distribution) Divisional
newsletter this month. I thought it gave a good overview of what I do.  So
here's my Introduction written by a co-worker, Tiffany Coe:

A Day in the Life: Gary Roberts

I recently had the chance to visit Gary Roberts in the Satellite Depot.  The
door to the Depot indicates that only "authorized persons" are allowed to
enter, but luckily I was permitted to visit for a short while on official
"Dish" business.  There is something about the Depot that always makes me
feel like I am on a field trip when I go there.  Maybe it is the layout of
the space or all of the equipment about; whatever the case, it always seems
that important things are happening within its walls.  And, indeed, they
are. 

Gary, in his role as Logistics Specialist (I am glad, by the way, that
somebody around here specializes in logistics, because PRSS affairs tend to
be logistic-laden), handles and organizes reams of data and transactions.
In any given day, he may order equipment for stations, track inventory,
manage matters of shipping and receiving, and track more inventory.  If it
weren't for Gary, our inventory ducks would certainly not be in any row-type
formation.  His wealth of databases contain serial numbers and "RMA"s and
all kinds of other juicy morsels that aid in accurate record-keeping.  My
personal favorite Depot database is called "comeqpur," pronounced just like
it looks!  Soon, though, with the advent of ContentDepot and all of the
associated bells and whistles, something called VIPER will swallow up the
old databases for dinner and take over.  Word has it that Jim McEachern (I
thought he retired?) is involved on the VIPER project.   

If anyone has ever tried to tell you that there is a pool at 635, well, they
are probably pulling your leg, but in actuality they are not lying.  Gary,
in fact, is the keeper is the pool.  Of equipment.  For interconnected
stations.  When a frantic engineer calls and is in urgent need of a
replacement, Gary will ship out a functional ABR-700 and await the return of
the damaged or otherwise malfunctioning unit.  Back in "the day" (Gary has
worked at NPR for 20 years!...soon he will qualify for the commemorative pen
set or desk clock!), the Depot used to service those large and temperamental
ancient printers.  One time, while in Maine (somewhere that Gary likes to
visit regularly), there was a mix-up with a station's printer in South
Dakota.  After a day's hike, Gary returned to his picnic table to see a note
from the park ranger saying to "call your boss at NPR!"  It turned out that
his meticulous pen-and-paper log (a manual back-up that is stashed in Gary's
drawer) saved the day in sorting out the situation, as it has on several
occasions.                   
  
When he's not at work, you can probably find Gary cheering on the Washington
Redskins ("bad offense" this year, he says, though he isn't discouraged
yet), doing something hiking- or outdoors-related, or enjoying his finally
entirely re-modeled house.  Even though his copy of Joe Gibbs' book, "Fourth
and One" is autographed (so it probably wouldn't be a fair trade), I think
he and Nancy should swap desk-books.  For a survival guide would certainly
come in handy for Gary when facing real, live bears in Glacier National Park
or other scary wildlife in other places.  Over the summer, he attended "The
Gathering," an annual event put on by the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers
Association, where a lot of admittedly "weird folks" get together and look
at slides, talk gear, and hang out.  Some guy called "Baltimore Jack"
usually shows up; legend has it that he has hiked the entire 2,200-mile
trail several times.   

I asked Gary how he got into his line of work anyways, and I found out that
he grew up next door to our own Vince Destajo.  How about that.  At age 20,
Gary found himself working at a deli going, "I don't have any health
insurance; maybe I should get health insurance."  And the rest is history.
Speaking of history, if you ever get a yearning to find out more about the
evolution of both commercial and public radio transactions, Gary is your
go-to guy.  He can also recount his interactions with famous people who have
passed through NPR over the years; for instance, his unknowing elevator ride
with Jimmy and Rosslyn Carter (and two hulky Secret Service agents!).


Well, that's my report from the Satellite Depot.  Some exciting stuff is
coming down the pike, and I'm sure Gary will be juggling important
behind-the-scenes logistics.  (Even if he is simultaneously dreaming of
Maine...)