Utility Management Seminar: Leading with Insight
Are you ready to evolve from a technical expert into a strategic leader? Join NC One Water’s Utility Management Workgroup for our annual
seminar designed to tackle the unique challenges of the modern water industry.
As utility professionals, we all know that leading people, managing change, and communicating effectively can be just as challenging as the technical work we handle every day. Whether it’s dealing with difficult customer interactions, navigating tough internal conversations, keeping teams engaged, or addressing ongoing workforce challenges, these are shared experiences across utilities of all sizes.
This seminar brings together peers and experienced practitioners to exchange real world lessons learned and practical strategies for managing in water and wastewater industries. The presentations will be interactive and include breakout sessions, giving participants the opportunity to engage in discussion, share perspectives, and work through common challenges together. Attendees will leave with relatable insights and tools they can apply immediately within their own organizations.
Event Details
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Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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In Person Location: Neuse River WWTP | 8500 Battle Bridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610
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Virtual Option: via Microsoft Teams
To receive CEUs for a Virtual Seminar, attendees must be logged in at the beginning and must remain logged in through the end of the session & attendees must be on camera at all times during the presentations. Visibility and participation will be monitored.
Agenda
Tentative / Subject to Change
|
8 - 8:30
a.m.
|
Registration/Welcome
|
|
8:30 - 9:30
a.m.
|
Effective Communication
Gerardo Racioppi, CFPUA
Heidi Hackett, CFPUA
|
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9:30 - 10:30
a.m.
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Enhancing
Relationships Through Emotional Intelligence
Heidi Hackett, CFPUA
|
|
10:30 - 11:00
a.m.
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Break
|
|
11:00 a.m.
- 12 p.m.
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Team
Management
Ed Gagnon, Customer Service Solutions
|
|
12 – 1 p.m.
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Lunch
|
|
1 - 2 p.m.
|
Quentin Bivens, Durham Water
|
|
2 - 2:15
p.m.
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Break
|
|
2:15 –
3:15 pm
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Who Does What?
Aligning Roles to Drive Successful Organizational Change
Chip Harris, Raftelis
|
|
3:15 – 4:15
p.m.
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Tackling
Workforce Challenges: Quick Win Strategies
Christy Ihlo, UNC School of Government
Environmental Finance Center
|
|
4:15 - 4:30 p.m.
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Closing
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Registration & Pricing
Choose the format that fits your schedule.
| Category |
In-Person |
Virtual |
| Member |
$249.00 |
$224.00 |
| Utility Member |
$271.50 |
$246.50 |
| Non-Member |
$294.00 |
$269.00 |
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Registration Status: OPEN NOW
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Registration Deadline: March 13, 2026
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CEU/PDH Credits:
Wastewater Operators: This seminar is approved by the WPCSOCC for 6.0 continuing education
hours (CEUs). Attendees must be present for entire seminar to receive a Certificate of Completion for 6.0 hours. Course ID: Pending
Water Treatment Facility Operators, Distribution Operators, Cross Connection/Backflow Operators:
This seminar is approved by the NCWTFOCB for 6.0 professional growth hours (PGHs) for continuing education (CEUs). Attendees must be present for entire seminar to receive a Certificate of Completion for 6.0 hours. Course ID: 260038 (Morning)
& 260039 (Afternoon)
Professional Engineers: This seminar is approved for 6.0 Professional Development Hours (PDHs). Attendees must be present for entire seminar to receive a Certificate of Completion for 6.0 hours.
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