Meet Ruthie: Engineer in the Off Season, River Adventurer in the Summer
At The Watchmaker’s Workspace, we’re lucky to have a community filled with dynamic, multi-talented professionals. One of them is Ruthie—a civil designer with a love for adventure, engineering, and, of course, whitewater!
From Stormwater to Whitewater
Ruthie originally hails from Columbus, Ohio (Go Buckeyes!), but the call of the mountains was too strong to ignore. After earning her degree in Environmental Engineering from Ohio State, she started her career designing underground stormwater systems in Cleveland. But when the mountains beckoned, she answered—moving to Asheville, then Clayton, to pursue elite rafting on the Chattooga River.
Now, she juggles two incredible careers: During the summer, she’s a raft guide and photographer for NOC Chattooga. The rest of the year, she works remotely for Withers Ravenel, a civil engineering firm based in Raleigh, where she helps design and draw construction plans for multi-family and mixed-use developments. Nine years into the engineering world and six seasons into whitewater, she’s still loving every minute of both.
The Best of Both Worlds
One of the things Ruthie appreciates most? The flexibility to keep doing what she loves. “I’m super grateful to work for a company that understands my passion for whitewater and gives me the flexibility to keep getting out there in the summertime,” she says. And this season is extra special—it’s her first full-time return to the river after having her son, Jesse.
Finding Community at The Watchmaker’s Workspace
After Jesse was born, Ruthie found herself trying to work from her bedroom—a setup she quickly realized was not ideal. Enter The Watchmaker’s Workspace! Now, she’s got a bright and productive spot in the heart of downtown, surrounded by other hardworking professionals. “I love being around other productive people, the proximity to the coffee shop, and meeting new friends,” she says.
Being part of a vibrant coworking community has also helped her feel more connected to the energy of downtown Clayton. “I’m just happier because I get to chat with people face to face,” she adds.
Beyond the Office: Adventure Awaits
When she’s not designing construction plans or guiding rafters down the Chattooga, you’ll probably find Ruthie whitewater kayaking (even more so when there’s no drought), hiking with her husband Eric and their one-year-old son Jesse, or hanging out with their pup.
And if you’re looking for a little adventure yourself, Ruthie has a suggestion—book a rafting trip with NOC on the Chattooga! (She might even be your guide!)
What’s Next for Ruthie?
With her team in Raleigh diving into a slew of new projects and a full summer on the river ahead, Ruthie is stoked for what’s to come. And if you ever want to connect, she’s easy to find—just look for her in the window or at the work bar at The Watchmaker’s Workspace.
Or, better yet, catch her on the river: https://noc.com/chattooga-river-sc/
