Member Portrait: Troy Perkins

This Member Portrait was originally printed in the Summer 2016 issue of NC Currents magazine.
 

Growing up, Troy Perkins spent some time working alongside his uncle in the utility business, never really thinking that this might be the industry where he would build his career. Then, after graduating from college with a degree in political science, he did a short stint at a photography studio before accepting a position as the closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection crew leader with the City of Greenville. “I convinced them that TV inspection and photography were sort of related,” laughs Perkins. “As they say, the rest has been history.”

 
Over the past 26 years, he has held various positions throughout the Utility. After working the CCTV position for a year and a half, he worked as a construction site inspector with the City for four or five years. “That taught me a whole lot,” recalls Perkins.

The position exposed him to the installation of a variety of processes and technologies that he might not have otherwise had the opportunity to learn about. After that, Perkins worked as an engineering assistant for two to three years. “I got to learn the paperwork side of the industry,“ he explains, “including some of the reasons behind what we do.”

Then in 1997, North Carolina changed some of its sewer regulations, increasing the workload of the sewer department, which responded by opening a new management position. Equipped with his CCTV sewer inspection experience, he successfully applied for the position of sewer supervisor.

The new regulations required utilities to inspect the entire system once a year and parts of it twice, while cleaning a certain amount of line. New mandatory procedures around sanitary sewer overflows resulted in even more work. “We created some forms, policies and procedures that helped keep us in very good standing with the state,” recalls Perkins, adding that he worked closely with the superintendent at the time, Wayne Bryant, who was instrumental in developing these new initiatives.

 
Then in October 2003, Perkins succeeded Bryant as superintendent of both the sewer and the water systems field maintenance division, a position he has held ever since. As superintendent, he oversees some of the capital improvement projects and maintenance activities for both the water and sewer systems, in accordance with regulations. “That makes our life easier,” Perkins says. “Newer stuff works better than older stuff.”

He adds that Greenville Utilities is unique, in that it also encompasses the gas and the electrical departments. On the water side, the Utility has about 35,000+ connections and 630 miles of water main while sewer consists of 29,000+ connections and 480 miles of line. “Both have different rules to go by,” notes Perkins. “That’s what makes it challenging.” Greenville sells water to three towns and treats sewer from two.

Perkins points out that the Utility has been fortunate to attract some very good people to staff all aspects of its operations. “Having those really good people enables me to participate in activities with NC he says, adding that, when he’s away, he knows everything is under control. “That’s been very beneficial.”

Back in college, Perkins had always imagined he would become a teacher. But after a disappointing class with a condescending professor he changed paths. Since getting involved in NC AWWA-WEA, he has had the opportunity to teach at the schools and present at the conferences. “I really enjoy that,” says Perkins.

Back in 2001, Tony DuBois – now the training coordinator for South Carolina Rural Water – asked Perkins if he would teach at the Collection/Distribution Schools in the Sewer Collection I section. He picked up a few more classes to teach after that, eventually becoming the coordinator for the Grade IV of the Collection/Distribution Schools in 2005.

Perkins explains that one of the things he enjoys about teaching is the ability to exercise his creativity. “Sometimes here at work, we have to be creative because we get a challenge we haven’t seen before,” he explains, adding that, nonetheless, those situations are rare. “Getting to turn loose my creative side is enjoyable from time to time.” He also enjoys being able to meet face-to-face with industry colleagues from across the state.

Over the years, Perkins has been happy to help NC AWWA-WEA in any way he can. He notes how amazed he is by the amount of work NC AWWA-WEA is able to accomplish with such a small staff. “The thing that makes their life easier is having people who volunteer to chair a committee or be in charge of an initiative,” he adds. “There’s a lot of opportunity for people to be involved.”

In 2015, Perkins started a two-year term as chair of the Collection/Distribution Schools Committee, part of NC AWWA-WEA’s Schools Coordinating Council. “I will be stepping down from that position in the fall, but I hope to continue teaching right up to the day I retire from here,” says Perkins. He is eligible for retirement in three years. After that he hopes to explore other options for public speaking and teaching adults. Perkins adds that he enjoys putting presentations together and delivering them. He knows, however, that it can take a while for people to become comfortable with the idea of presenting to a group.

For this reason, he is making a concerted effort to recruit new members to the Collection/Distribution Schools Committee so they can “get their feet wet” before they start teaching and, eventually, take on leadership roles. “The old guard is shipping out and some of the new guard is not sure they want to jump in yet,” says Perkins .

This reality makes the succession process – in NC AWWA-WEA and in the industry as a whole – that much more important. It is not unusual for people to come on board after changing careers, having only recently discovered the opportunities available in water and wastewater. To them, Perkins extends a hearty welcome. After all, if anyone knows what it feels like to have an unexpected career, it’s the teacher-photographer-CCTV inspector who eventually became the superintendent of Greenville Utilities.

Perkins is past a recipient of the Golden Manhole, Raymond E. “Red” Ebert, WW Collections Operator of the Year awards. AWWA-WEA and other associations,”