Ethan Baisden with his two dogs, Little Brother (left) and Stevie Lix (right).
Staff Spotlight: Ethan Baisden, HR Generalist
After spending nearly a decade in the U.S. Coast Guard, HR Generalist Ethan Baisden is no stranger to change. In his previous career as an officer, he relocated every two to three years — just enough time to get comfortable before having to start over somewhere new. Now, as he approaches his four-year employment anniversary at Lowell Observatory, he’s finally been able to put down some roots.
“After having to move so often in the Coast Guard, it’s been really rewarding to stay in one place, hit my stride, and keep growing in my role,” he says.
Ethan’s path to human resources wasn’t quite linear. After leaving the Coast Guard, he worked as a construction project manager for a friend’s company in Chicago. There, he began pursuing HR professionally.
“I realized pretty quickly that I was more interested in the people side of the business than anything else,” he explains. He joined Lowell staff as an HR Generalist shortly after moving to Flagstaff to be with his partner in 2022, earning a certification from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) during his first two years of employment.
Today, Ethan’s role as an HR Generalist touches nearly every part of the employee experience. His work managing benefits, processing personnel changes, developing policies, managing recruitment efforts for all positions below the executive level, and supporting wellness initiatives helps keep the observatory running smoothly behind the scenes.
“A big part of my job is finding the balance between supporting employees and making sure the organization stays sustainable,” he says. “I like being in a role where I can advocate for employees while also helping the organization stay on track.”
Maintaining that balance is especially important as Lowell continues to grow and change. Ethan has helped formalize policies and streamline processes, ensuring that systems evolve alongside the organization. At the same time, he’s focused on building programs that support employee well-being, including an annual health and wellness fair and ongoing initiatives funded through Lowell’s benefits program.
“If HR is doing its job well, everything just runs smoothly and no one really notices,” Ethan says. “It’s when something goes wrong that it becomes visible.” For him, that behind-the-scenes impact is part of what makes the work meaningful.
Outside the office, Ethan likes to keep things simple. Much of his time is spent with his two dogs, Stevie Licks and LB (short for “Little Brother,” a name inspired by the movie Mulan). He also enjoys cooking, disc golfing, spending time outdoors, and laid-back game nights with friends.
“I like doing things outdoors when I can,” he says, “just getting out there and moving.”
During the workweek, it’s not uncommon to see Ethan out for a midday walk around Lowell’s campus, sometimes accompanied by Stevie or LB. That everyday habit has even shaped his work, inspiring Lowell’s annual Walking Challenge: an easy way for Lowell staff to stay active, connect, and step away from their desks for a bit.
“I feel lucky,” says Ethan. “I’ve enjoyed working here more than anywhere else I’ve been.”