By Richard Meek
Contributing Writer

LAPLACE – Theresa Rodgers began her weekend a bit early Friday afternoon.

But this was no normal weekend getaway. Rodgers closed her office door for the final time Friday and as she pulled away from the St. John the Baptist Parish office building she glanced in the rearview mirror at nearly two years of memories.

Rodgers retired as the parish chief administrative officer after 23 months on the job. She had previously worked 32 years for the Ascension Parish school system. Saturday dawned a new chapter in her life, one that will focus on family and friends.

“I felt it was time for me to resign,” Rodgers said earlier this week. “There were things that made me know. Nobody ever says I wish I had more time to spend time at the office.”

Rodgers said she realized the long hours she put in fulfilling her many responsibilities as CAO left precious little time to spend with loved ones. She and her husband, Dennis, are the parents of three children and have three grandchildren, with another due in August.

“You’re worn out when you get home at 8, 9 or 10 at night,” said Rodgers, a resident of Prairieville. “That’s not every night, but it’s pretty much of a pattern. Even when we get home we’re expected to answer emails 24/7.

“When you get up in the morning the first thing you do is check emails. The 24/7 wears on you with a job over time.”

Oddly, it was a misstep by Rodgers that forced her to step back and reflect on her lifestyle. While attending a meeting in Washington, D.C., in March, Rodgers missed a step while walking near the Capitol building and suffered a hairline fracture of her right leg.

Although she had few restrictions in terms of work, for several weeks she was forced to wear an orthopedic boot except to drive, bathe and sleep. Walking in the boot altered her gait and temporarily created pain in her back, which has since ceased.

“(The accident) really had an impact,” she said. “What I found was it made me take a step back and think about what I’m doing to myself in terms of this job. It’s certainly a stressful position.

“I stepped back and took a look at how I spend my time and realized I really should be focusing more time on my family. And I want to focus on my family at this point in my life.”

Rodgers made the decision to retire in March but said it was April 1 before she was able to meet with Parish President Natalie Robottom to give 30-day notice, which turned out to be 40 days.

“This has been a remarkable experience,” Rodgers said. “It’s been a great opportunity, and I certainly thank President Robottom for giving me the opportunity. I think the job was a very good skill set.

“I am one of her right-hand people. I think she would say I have worked diligently and done a good job.”

“I will say the people here have been nothing but supportive,” she added. “We always worked together as a team. I wanted people to feel like I am here to support them and not order them around. They knew they could come to me.”

Rodgers said her immediate plans are to rest and eventually enjoy weekly lunches with her former colleagues at the Ascension school district. Rekindling relationships with friends is also on the agenda.

“It can be difficult to maintain relationships because you’re on the job so much. I miss seeing my friends,” she said. “I look forward to having the time to do those kinds of things and not having to worry about things having to get done at work.”

Rodgers said she has not heard any plans about finding her placement but said she would donate some of her time once someone is hired to help with the transition.

Robottom was unavailable for comment.