Introducing our new office manager

Dear friends, we are continuing our interview format for coach’s corner to make it a third month in a row. First I interviewed Chelsea, then Chelsea interviewed me, now Chelsea does an interview with our newly selected office manager, Dr. Kris Sazaki. I would like to thank personnel committee members Judy Fukuman and Bill Grissom for their diligent work. We had a lot more applicants than we anticipated, scheduled interviews for nine candidates of which six showed up.  The finalists were given follow up questions. Kris had the best qualifications for Parkview’s needs and for this day and age. We also concluded she is able to balance a people oriented and task oriented approach. Kris will be in the office November 2nd and will work alongside Donna for two months. In January she will start running the office.  

Tell us about your family?

I live with my husband, Neil, and my mother-in-law, Jane. Our terrier, Mr. Darcy, brings us great joy, especially now that our son Miles has moved out of the house. And, yes, Jane does spoil all of us!

What are some of your favorite things?

I love to read and knit. The one thing I don’t get to do often enough is travel. My dream is to one day take my son to visit New Zealand, the country of his birth. (We lived there for 2 1/2 years.) I am also a fiber artist and collaborate with my creative partner to make fiber wall hangings. (If you’ve ever been to Jane’s house, there’s a big wall hanging over her fireplace.)

I know that this congregation has been meaningful to you for a long time. Can you tell us about your connections to Parkview?

I’ve attended various types of services and activities over the years. When I married Neil in 1988, Rev. Masuno performed the service. I’ve volunteered here and there when I could be of help. My creative partner and I made a presentation to the PPW about different ways to creatively tell your own story. I had the most fun editing and formatting the 2012 edition of the PPC Cookbook. I joined the PPC Book Club in 2014. We’ve had some lively discussions accompanied by some great food! And here’s a fun fact: my father, Haruo Sazaki, made PPC’s communion table.

What are you most looking forward to about your new job?

I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and seeing how I can best use my organizational and technology skills to serve Parkview.

As people get to know you, what do you think will surprise them the most?

They might be surprised to learn how much I love to learn languages. I have a Ph.D. in 19th-century German Literature, but I’ve also studied Japanese, Dutch, French, Spanish, and Italian. Please remember: studying is different than speaking! When I went to visit relatives in Japan last year, I really had to practice in order to remember some set phrases. In the end, it’s all about communicating, so that is probably why I am drawn to languages. Well, and I love to talk.