Sue Weathers, Harney Hub Fiscal Manager
Sue Weathers serves as the Harney Hub's Fiscal Manager (Harney Hub "provides services to seniors, disabled, low- income individuals and veterans . . .") with a dedication that extends far beyond typical job responsibilities. In her role, she manages every aspect of the organization's financial operations—from overseeing 30 to 50 grants and handling payroll to managing deposits and coordinating funding requests. "I do anything that has to do with money," she explains simply, though her responsibilities encompass much more than basic bookkeeping.
Weathers' path to nonprofit fiscal management was unconventional. She spent thirteen years working at Louisiana Pacific, where she operated as a grader for molding and wrapper on the saw line. Seeking to expand her opportunities, she began taking online courses through Treasure Valley Community College while volunteering at a local bank. From there she went to Harney Hub as an energy educator. Her aptitude for financial management became evident quickly—within three months, she was offered a fiscal position. As she completed her course work to earn her associate's degree in business she also learned the intricacies of nonprofit operations through hands-on experience and visits to other facilities.
Over the past two years, Weathers has transitioned from client-facing work to focus entirely on the fiscal side of operations, taking on responsibilities similar to those of an associate director. She oversees the financial aspects of numerous programs including the Older Americans Act, respite care, congregate meals, home delivery services, energy assistance, veteran's services and public transit. Additionally, she manages the fiscal side of the 20-unit Westridge Apartments and will also eventually do the same for Veterans Village (currently under construction), a 20-unit complex that will specifically serve veterans.
What drives Weathers in her work is the direct impact on community members. She takes pride in ensuring that funding received by Harney Hub reaches local residents. Her efforts have enabled significant community improvements, including furnace installations for seniors through energy assistance programs and the development of a community garden that began during COVID-19. Sue proposed to Kellie Frank, who coordinates Harney County Food Systems, an initiative of Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative, " . . . maybe you guys could take over the senior center garden and transition it to becoming a community garden. Last year Kellie visited with the board and the board agreed to do it." "Kellie also helped me establish programs to purchase local food beef, pork and vegetables for the Harney Hub's congregate meal program."
Despite her extensive administrative responsibilities, Weathers maintains direct contact with the community by serving as a waitress during Tuesday and Thursday sit-down meals for seniors—a role she particularly cherishes because it allows her to interact directly with the people her work serves.
Outside of work, Weathers is married to Howard, Harney Hub's weatherization manager. Their personal interests include geocaching and they frequently travel to visit children in Michigan and Kansas. Even during their travels, their dedication to Harney Hub continues—wherever they are traveling they take cans and bottles collected at the Harney Hub to bottle drop locations for redemption on behalf of Harney Hub.
Characteristically modest about her contributions, Weathers credits her front office staff as the real helpers, describing herself as "just the person in the corner." However, her comprehensive oversight of fiscal operations and community programs positions her as an essential figure in Harney Hub's mission to serve the community.
