Little in Chris Muscato’s career resembles the work he’s now doing for the South Fork Conservancy.
He’s been in Army intelligence. Mortgage banking. Customer service. Lifestyle coaching. And as of this past March, Chris is the community outreach coordinator for the environmental nonprofit working to restore the health and beauty of the creek that wends its way from Tucker to Midtown Atlanta.
Yet it is Chris’ ability to handle a multitude of different tasks – a Jack-of-all-tradesman, if you will – that should acquit him nicely in his new gig. His responsibilities are as varied as the aquatic critters that live(d) in the South Fork. Tour guide. Creek cleaner. Social media poster. Website developer. Volunteer coordinator. Driver. Administrative aide. Trash-trap emptier.
“As a non-profit with a small staff, other duties will arise,” the job posting read. Chris, 52, is ready for the challenge.
“I have always worked for either the government or corporations, so the nonprofit world is strange and new to me,” Chris said. “In government or business, it’s all about setting times and goals and long-term forecasting. Here, it’s more like an opportunity will come up to access green space or apply for a new grant, and we should jump on it. It’s a very different way to approach things.”
“Chris has worked with SFC as a volunteer at several events over the years. His ability to take anything that was thrown his way is deeply impressive. Its rare to find someone who can lead volunteers, take great photos, and load a truck with hundreds of tools in less than 10 minutes! We are thrilled to have him on the team,” said SFC Executive Director Kimberly Estep.
He grew up near Miami, in Miramar, FL, a city sandwiched between the Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean. He joined the Army out of high school and, with an aptitude for math and science, was steered toward military intelligence. One day Chris would be holed-up in a windowless room building maps, the next slogging through a field with a combat unit. He served 11 years in Arizona, South Korea, New Jersey, and Maryland.
In 2001, Chris earned his B.S. from Kennesaw State University in organizational psychology. He then worked for a variety of corporations in the Atlanta Metro area. Chris moved outside Decatur in 2019 and became a “life organization coach,” a job he still holds. “I help people who are overwhelmed and need more time in their lives by organizing their office, house, or basement,” he said. “I put in processes that make people’s lives better. It’s kind of therapeutic for them.”
