Administrative Champions, Customer Service Experts, and Culture of Excellence Creators. For 30-40 years Betty Pacheco and Fran Romero served in various roles, but spent most of their time working as Camping Registrar and Camping Secretary. These two ladies made sure that day in and day out the job was done, and done right. Fran and Betty grew up together, and met in grade school in Cimarron, They both began working for Philmont while still in High School. Fran worked with PTC children and Betty as a switchboard operator and commissary clerk. 

Then and today - the role of Philmont Camping Registrar and Camping Secretary perform essential, rigorous work. In these roles, Betty and Fran spent hours corresponding with adult leaders and coaching new advisors - from booking travel, logistics of early arrivals, account balances and more - Fran and Betty would field many calls, often from the same individuals with new and familiar questions.  After months of planning adult leaders and their crews would finally arrive at Philmont - trail bound.  From time to time, the leaders would ask to meet the familiar voices across the line, which was so rewarding and always welcomed by Betty and Fran.

The two discuss in length the incredible evolution the registration process has gone through during their time from 1990-2020.  From doing everything by pen and paper and snail mail to email, electronic payments, and online reservations. Betty and Fran saw their roles shift from tedious manual work to efficient and automated processes. They remained active in the ever-evolving systems by taking trips to the National Office to meet with the IT crew and helping the reservation phone bank company in Dubuque, Iowa - these women were on the front lines of change, helping the transition succeed seamlessly.

The main system that Philmont uses today first originated in 2004 and was created by former Philmont employee Bryan Hayek and his brother-in-law Jime Lopez. These two men designed a massive database, which initially saved Betty and Fran hours of manual input and typing. It then went on to include seasonal staff hiring, infirmary, and many more departments at Philmont today.  The phrase “Philmont Machine” is largely accomplished by folks in these roles, who are so dedicated to the Ranch and approach each task at hand with excellence.

Betty and Fran reflect on their years at the Camping Headquarters Office with heartfelt memories of making the work fun, laughing during daily breaks with chips and salsa, and how the days just flew by.  Towards the end of their tenure, Fran took a role at the Admin office across the road.  On that day, both girls cried.  During the two summers that Philmont closed program - in 2018 due to the Ute Park fire and the 2020 Covid pandemic - Betty and Fran were the ones calling crews, processing refunds, and scheduling future reservations. After those two challenging years, the girls decided it was time to make good on their pack, and retire together.   

Many thanks to everyone behind the scenes who work tirelessly to make Philmont a place of wilderness adventure that lasts a lifetime.

Betty Pacheco
Seasonal
1972 - Switchboard operator and commissary clerk
1973 - Accounting department clerk
Full-Time
1974-1987 - Accounting Department Clerk & Assistant bookkeeper
1988-1989 - Camping Secretary/Assistant Camping Registrar
1990-2020 - Camping Registrar

Fran Romero
Seasonal
1972 & 1973 - PTC small fry 
Full-Time
1989-1992 - PTC Secretary 
1992 - 2019 - Senior Secretary/Assistant Registrar
2019 - 2020 - Admin Assistant to General Manager

Notable Mentions:
Rachel Ricklefs 
Mark Anderson
Frank Reigleman
Amanda Martinez
Betty Brown
Bryan Hayek
Jime Lopez

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