Ruth Ann Bizoff
Tyson Accounting and Administrative Support Coordinator
“This is my seventh year working at Tyson. It's been interesting being at home because of COVID. At first, I absolutely hated it. It's just so different and your weekdays kind of melt into your weekends because you're at home. But now I'm getting a little more used to it. I go out to Tyson at least once a week to gather the mail and make sure the invoices are being paid. But I think my most important job there is keeping the hummingbird feeders full.”
You take care of rescue animals. Could you talk a bit about that?
“I am certified by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, and I've been in wildlife rehab for twenty-plus years. I also work at a local shelter here, which happens to be closed for COVID-19, actually. They fostered out all the dogs that I walk. I currently have rescue animals at home, including my second clutch of orphaned baby birds. That's a very, very important part of my life. And everybody at Tyson has been very supportive of that, too. If there's a critter that's hurting out there, I’m the first person they call and I’m able to help most of the time.”
What do you miss most about being able to see the Tyson community in person?
“I miss the faces and the camaraderie. And even the background noises, the white noises in the back, you know, somebody vacuuming or somebody banging or clanking, or somebody emptying the dishwasher. I miss how if I want to complain about something I could just run next door and go blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and complain and get it over with. After seven years, it's a part of your life. They're family basically. You argue with them, get along with them, ask their advice, help them when you can. It's a big change to all of a sudden go from all that to my office at home. It’s quiet.”
What do you hope people will learn from everything that has been happening?
“I am in my late fifties, and COVID and the Black Lives Matter protests have been life-changing. I'm happy to be witnessing this historic time. I'm not happy that it's happening, but I'm grateful that I understand what's going on and that I can learn from it. I hope people learn to respect other people, learn compassion and empathy. I hope some people even open their wallets and donate to different causes if they can. I hope people respect what the scientists are saying as far as the virus is concerned. I just hope people open their minds and learn from this.
I'm a pretty passionate person, and I’m trying to do my best in my own little corner of the world. I hope other people do, too.”
Ruth Ann takes care of many, many administrative details for the Tyson community every day. She is the point person for gate access, handles accounting and payroll, and manages purchase of materials and supplies.