Utility Management Seminar: Leading with Insight

9/17/2026

When: Thursday, September 17, 2026
8:00 A.M.- 4:30 P.M.
Where: Neuse River WWTP or Virtual
8500 Battle Bridge Rd
Raleigh, North Carolina  27610
United States
Contact:
 Sarah Sterling, Events Manager (Sign in to view e-mail address)

Event Details
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
    Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026  Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. In Person Location: Neuse River WWTP | 8500 Battle Bridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610 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 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.           Enhancing Relationships Through Emotional Intelligence Heidi Hackett, CFPUA 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.        Break 11:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. Building High-Performing Teams: Trust and Culture in Utility Management       Ed Gagnon, Customer Service Solutions 12 – 1 p.m.    Lunch 1 - 2 p.m.   Crucial Conversations  Quentin Bivens, Durham Water 2 - 2:15 p.m.              Break 2:15 – 3:15 pm Who Does What?   Aligning Roles to Drive Successful Organizational Change               Chip Harris, Raftelis 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.      Tackling Workforce Challenges: Quick Win Strategies Christy Ihlo, UNC School of Government Environmental Finance Center 4:15 - 4:30 p.m.              Closing

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
    Registration Status: OPEN NOW Registration Deadline: September 10, 2026 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.