When Debra Batten accepted a position as Environmental Compliance Laboratory Manager/Pretreatment Coordinator at the Town of Holly Springs in July of this year, she was eager to draw from her 40 years of experience in the laboratory. “I am very much looking forward to using the knowledge I have gained over my career,” she notes, adding that, while her prior position at the City of Wilson was similar in nature, there were many industries in that well-established community. “With so much additional compliance coming into play, there was a need to split the positions, so I quickly found myself outside the industrial planning and compliance loop.” In her new position, she is going back to her roots.

 Her first foray into a laboratory was in the early 1980s when she joined Southern Testing & Research (STR) Laboratories under the direction of Bill Bridgers. Having identified an interest in sciences early on, she started as an analyst for Wilson’s tobacco industry. “It did not take me long to determine that three to four months of downtime was not for me,” says Batten. “I wanted a job that would keep me busy year-round.”

 It was Bridgers who would provide the young mother with the opportunity for a career path. At STR Labs, Batten moved from tobacco to working with foods and feed samples, analyzing everything from fishmeal for hog feed to soybeans and even earthworms – considered a delicacy in California at the time. “My first tray, they tried to escape the pan when I put them in the oven,” she recalls. “I quickly learned I had to kill them first, prior to drying and grinding them for analysis. No surprise – they were 98% protein.”

 Then one day, when Bridgers was looking for someone to take on a project for a paper mill, Batten was the only one to step forward. The passing of the Clean Water Act offered many new opportunities and her career in the water industry was soon well underway. By 1986, she was working as a Wastewater Laboratory Technician at the City of Wilson. Around that time, she also became involved with the North Carolina Professional Wastewater Operators Association, serving as secretary treasurer and then chair. In 1988, Batten returned to STR, now merged with Microbac Laboratories, as Water Quality Section Head. Over the next 12 years, as the Lab grew from 11 to 111 employees, she rose through the ranks, becoming Business Development Client Services Specialist and, eventually, Environmental Lab Manager prior to leaving the STR Division to rejoin the City of Wilson as their Chemist/Lab Pretreatment Supervisor in 2000.

 It was then that Batten became involved with the North Carolina Pretreatment Consortium (NC-PC). Having attended NC-PC conferences as a vendor and the workshops as a permit holder with STR Labs, she had come into contact with such influential professional peers as Mary Groome from Greensboro and Jo Ellen Gay, who, at the time, was with the City of Wilson as the Environmental Compliance Manager. “Part of my responsibilities when I returned to Wilson was to help supervise the Pretreatment Program for the city, so I continued my more active involvement with NC-PC,” recalls Batten.

 In fact, she participated in the first classes of the newly-formed Pretreatment Certification Program for the State of North Carolina and achieved all four levels of NC-PC Certification. “I was also honored by being asked to participate on the Pretreatment Certification Board,” notes Batten.

 The NC-PC was not the only organization seeking her talents. Batten was also asked to participate in the NC AWWA-WEA’s Young Professionals Committee. “Then I realized there was a Lab Analyst Committee and this is where I volunteered to help,” she explains. It was a natural transition. Until then, Batten had been involved in trying to ensure that lab analysts on the eastern side of the state (LabNet East Group) stayed up to date with what was going on with the LabNet Group and State Lab Certification updates and requirements.

 “The technical knowledge and professional contacts have been instrumental to my ability to excel in my chosen career path,” notes Batten. At the same time, she has pursued ongoing professional development, achieving her NC Pretreatment Certification – Grade IV, Biological Wastewater Operators Certification – Grade II, and Lab Analyst Certifications.

 Currently, she continues to serve on the NC-PC Certification Board as well as the NC AWWA-WEA’s Lab Analyst Committee. She is also assisting the NC Rural Water Association with their upcoming Lab Analyst Certification Workshops – all while starting a new job at Holly Springs.  

 “I am happy to be working with Seann Byrd, the Director of the Holly Springs Utley Water Reclamation Facility and others in the development of such a fast growing community,” says Batten, adding that the town, which less than 20 years ago had a population of less than 1,000, has grown to more than 35,000 people. “With strategic planning and business development, they will no doubt continue to grow. I am looking forward to learning and growing with them.”

 Coming across Bill Dowbiggin’s name in an article featured on a water treatment website, in an Engineering, Planning and Development Guidance document, or among a list of presenters for a Drinking Water Rules and Regulations seminar is a matter of course in North Carolina. This drinking water expert regularly shares the expertise he has developed during his 32 years in the industry. Over the last three decades, Dowbiggin has worked on more than 100 projects, including more than 60 major water treatment plants, 12 of them completely new greenfield initiatives. “I’ve worked on plants from 150 gallons per minute to plants with 225 million gallons per day,” he reflects.

Dowbiggin recalls being “proenvironment and pro-public health” from an early age. After high school, he attended the University of Tennessee- Knoxville and graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1984. But it was while he was pursuing his graduate degree in water resources engineering from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill that he embarked on his lifelong connection with CDM Smith.

 “I first learned of CDM Smith through Paul Prendiville, a company legend who taught the water treatment design course at UNC Chapel Hill,” says Dowbiggin, adding that he later ended up teaching the very same course. “Paul exemplified some of CDM Smith’s best attributes. He had a passion for excellence in engineering, was dedicated to delivering high quality water to customers, and always operated with high integrity. I wanted to work at a firm that valued people like Paul.” Although Dowbiggin had worked as a co-op at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), he decided to work with CDM Smith, where he has been ever since.

 Not long after joining CDM Smith, Dowbiggin also joined the North Carolina American Water Works Association – Water Environment Association (NC AWWA-WEA) as a member of the Seminars and Workshops Committee. As part of the committee, he has participated in organizing seminars; helped with training initiatives, such as the operator schools; and delivered presentations at the Annual Conference. “I enjoy my involvement,” says Dowbiggin, who continues to be very active on the committee. “I enjoy the people. I look forward to the NC AWWA-WEA Annual Conference this fall.”

For teaching and presenting, Dowbiggin draws from his varied experience in areas such as water treatment, water quality, and trace contaminants in both drinking water supplies and in indirect potable reuse. “It’s been exciting to work with great clients in our state on all sorts of treatment processes and various sizes of plants,” says Dowbiggin. He has completed work for counties, cities, and water authorities all across North Carolina.

The majority of issues he has dealt with over the years have revolved around water quality. “Disinfection by-products has been an issue since I first started with the company,” notes Dowbiggin. Some of the different control options and technologies he has used to address the problem include enhanced coagulation, alternative coagulants, pH and chemical optimization, alternate oxidants, and activated carbon – both powdered and granular.

 Over the past three decades, Dowbiggin has also witnessed many changes in the industry, including an increase in the use of advanced treatment technology, such as ozonation, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis. These new technologies are among the subjects Dowbiggin broaches in the presentations and seminars he delivers to professionals in the industry.

Dowbiggin’s work has been recognized with many honors and awards from the AWWA and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), starting with accolades for the Best Masters Thesis from AWWA in 1987 to his work on numerous Excellence Award Winning projects recognized by ACEC in recent years. In 2013, he received one of the AWWA’s highest honors – the George Warren Fuller Award for distinguished service in the water supply field.

Today, Dowbiggin continues to serve the industry, both with CDM Smith and as an active volunteer for the NC AWWAWEA. He makes frequent presentations and continues to contribute to a wide swath of articles, reports, and advisory documents. There are ongoing challenges, underlines Dowbiggin, and not all of them involving technology. He points to both aging infrastructure and an aging workforce as significant areas of concern. “It’s hard to find staff to run your water plants,” he notes.

That is all the more reason why sharing his expertise is so important. As the next Dowbiggin who have always been – and continue to be – so generous with their time and knowledge. generation of water treatment engineers and operators prepares to take up the torch, they will owe a debt to experts like Dowbiggin who have always been – and continue to be – so generous with their time and knowledge

"In all my years of doing this, I have not met one person who is fond of fire ants," says Micahel Dean, Utility Inspector for Durham County. Along with encountering snakes, dodging people who are texting and driving, and using improper equipment, stepping on a hill of fire ants is one  of the many occupational hazards he documents while touring the new construction sites connected to the County system.

Safety has dramatically increased since Dean assumed the position in 1994, with measures such as masks to protect workers from particulate matter caused by digging and by sawing PVC or ductile iron pipe. Clothing has also improved, with reflective vests now a standard on roadways."Safety has probably improved by 100%," Dean confirms, adding that this is a critical aspect of work on construction sites. "Job number one when you go to work is to work safe so you can go home at the end of every day."

Durham currently has 70 water and sewer projects at various stages of construction, several of which involve laying large diameter pipe to extend water infrastructure to new subdivisions. "Once they receive an approved set of plans, we set up a preconstruction meeting to go over all the details and specifications," he explains."We adhere to what was approved by both the engineer at Durham County and the design engineer."

The County also conducts rigorous testing, from air testing on PVC pipes to pulling a nine-prong mandrel through the pipe to ensure there is no deflection. One of the County’s specifications is to have every pipe videoed and cleaned before acceptance. “We find a lot of defects that way,” notes Dean. “We have to go in and make the necessary repairs. We don’t allow band-aids on new construction.” No repair clamps are allowed from one manhole to another on sanitary sewers. Defects have to be replaced with new pipe. One challenge has been the lack of skilled professionals to do the work, as human resources are stretched thin due to high level of construction activity in the I-40 corridor, from the mountain to the coast. “There are not enough people to do the work,” confirms Dean, adding that the large amount of construction work has meant that he is very busy as well.

Along with safety inspections, he also conducts environmental investigations, taking pictures and notes of any violations at the construction sites. These range from reporting illegal dumping into sanitary sewers to ensuring contractors pick up after themselves before they leave the area. “I enjoy reminding them too,” he laughs.  Dean is passionate about environmental protection, having grown up in a family that spent plenty of time outdoors. “My dad was one of 12 boys,” he notes. “We learned to hunt and fish as soon as we were able to walk.”

Fortunately, Dean’s work allows him plenty of time to enjoy nature. He often sees wildlife during his travels from  one construction site to another and always enjoys coming across native North Carolina ferns and dogwoods. Occasionally, he has found arrowheads or fossils while inspecting an excavation on a jobsite. Recently, he even had a chance to visit two early 18th century log cabins in an area about to be developed into a new subdivision. It’s all a part of the variety that is such an important component of his job.
Along with his official title, Dean wears several other hats, including oversight of the NC 811 Locate Crew and entering all their paperwork into the state system. “Most of the contractors are pretty concerned about avoiding the water mains and sewer lines when excavating,” he notes. 

Because of his many years of experience in safety and environmental protection, Dean also acts as a resource for the NC AWWA-WEA. Although he doesn’t have an official position on a sub-committee, he is often tapped for his expertise. “My background in this industry is highly valued because most people who were involved in this have either retired or passed away," he explains. 

As for Dean, he is in no hurry to retire.  "Durham County is a great place to work," he says. "I have a great management staff who oversees operations. If we need something, they listen and get it for us, whether it's vehicles or tools or safety equipment."  Nonetheless, he wouldn't mind a little more time to indulge his passion  in deep sea fishing. Living in Durham, he is only three and half hours from his boat, docked in Morehead City. Whether it's oysters, shrimp, tuna, or mahi mahi, the coast of North Carolina has some of the best seafood in the country “ just another reason why protecting the water and the environment is a top priority for Michael Dean!

When Carlos W. Norris helped launch The Crowder Construction Company Scholarship as part of the NC Safewater Endowment Fund in 2010, it was a natural extension of his values and convictions about career building. "You have to be consistent,"  says Norris. "You have to find your passion, learn what you love to do and what you're good at."

It is a credo that has guided his own career in the construction industry, from his days on a right-of-way survey crew to his current position as the chief operating officer of Crowder Constructors Inc."I really didn't know what I was learning back then," he explains, "but I do now." What he was learning then has been the foundation of a career in the construction industry that now spans more than 40 years. 

His first job led to a position with the Alabama Department of Transportation 
(ADOT), where he worked as an engineers assistant 1, alongside 20-year veterans who taught him invaluable skills and a strong foundation in basic engineering and construction. 
Eager to build on the skills he had acquired thus far, Norris accepted a position in private industry with a family-owned company in southern Alabama, not far from his hometown. Then in the 1980s and early 1990s, he traveled throughout the southeast with  a few nationally-known contractors, building water and wastewater projects. The breadth and scope of the projects allowed Norris to further expand his knowledge and skills.

In 1994, when Crowder Construction Company offered him a position as general superintendent of the southeast's water/wastewater projects, he was more than prepared. From there, he rose through he ranks, from senior project manager, operations manager, then vice president/division manager to his current position as COO of Crowder Constructors Inc. and president of its operating divisions: Crowder Construction Company, Crowder Industrial Construction LLC, and Crowder Energy Services LLC. Along with his leadership team, he oversees approximately 1100 employees, in offices from Virginia, through North and South Carolina, to Georgia. On any given day, the company is involved in 50 to 75 projects, each worth anywhere from $500,000 to $100 million.

“I work with people to help them be successful,” says Norris, adding that he ensures employees have the resources they need and that the company’s high safety standards are maintained. “I’m also heavily involved in procurement and building and maintaining relationships with clients in both the public and private sector,” he adds.  Currently living in Raleigh, Norris has come a long way – both literally and figuratively –  from the small town in southern Alabama where he grew up. “It was a difficult choice to leave family, friends, and home,” he reflects, “but I wanted to give it a shot.” Since taking that first step, Norris has been consistent in making decisions that would advance his career.

Being consistent is one of many pieces of advice he shares when talking to youth about a career in the water and wastewater industry. “People recognize a strong work ethic as much as a skill set,” he notes.  “They will want to hire you and help you. People like people who help themselves. Someone has to give you the opportunity, but then you have to seize it, capture 
it, earn it, and keep it. Perseverance, diligence, hard work -all those words you hear -“ they are not just clichés. 

To help encourage, support, and bring people into the industry, Norris joined the NC AWWA-WEA Endowment Committee, eventually serving as chair. At the same time, Crowder has become a "Named Fund" donor to the NC Safewater Endowment Fund. "We set up scholarships to encourage, support, and bring people into our industry,"reiteratesNorris. “We’ve added to our fund since we started it, giving a little above our commitment each year.”
He notes that contractors, municipalities, and engineers share a common need for attracting intelligent, technically-minded individuals to construct critical, complex infrastructure projects. “We make a positive difference in the world,” he points out. “We build things that society needs, such as bridges, water plants, buildings, and power facilities. Without people who build these things, we don’t have a society.”

To help promote the construction industry as a great place to build a  career, Norris serves on the board of directors with the Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC). “I want to  be professionally involved in making a difference,” he explains. Whether it is with NC AWWA-WEA or CAGC, Norris is doing just that, raising Crowder’s and the industry’s reputation, one building block at a time.

Originally published in the Winter 2017-2018 edition of NC Currents

“I ’ve always been interested in water,” says Angelica Pura, a Designer in the Water/Wastewater Group at McAdams. During a visit to the Philippines as a young girl, Pura was surprised to see how difficult it was for people to obtain clean water. Drinking water had to be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. She remembers seeing people washing their clothes in a canal while, upstream, sludge was pouring in through a pipe. “It really opened my eyes,” says Pura.

 In college, she decided to specialize in biological and agricultural engineering. At the same time, she joined the NC State chapter of Engineers Without Borders, assisting with the implementation of a rainwater harvesting system as part of an 8-member team that traveled to Bolivia. “They needed help with water collection to store water during their dry months,” she recalls. The following year, she became the project lead for a new initiative in Bolivia, undertaking the research necessary to get the project underway.

 When McAdams came to call, Pura was ready and eager to come on board and continue her work with water. Because the Water/Wastewater Group is small, she has the opportunity to work on the design of a wide variety of infrastructure, including pump stations, water mains and sewer outfalls. “I have to be mindful of the system as a whole,” says Pura, adding that she also works on AutoCAD to draw designs for other engineers in the office. “Before development can start, we have to conduct a sewer basin study to predict the amount of wastewater that will be produced from a particular plot of land.” She finds the work interesting. The most challenging part, she notes, is working both within existing boundaries and within budget, especially in a locale such as Raleigh, which has been growing rapidly in the last few years. “It’s great to see people making it work because it has to,” says Pura, adding that her work also extends to Durham and Chapel Hill. “It’s really exciting.”

 Over the past year, she has been grateful for the mentorship of Marco Menendez, Director of the Water/Wastewater Group. “He’s a really good mentor,” says Pura. “I’ve learned a lot.”

 It was Menendez who encouraged the young graduate to attend her first NC AWWA-WEA Annual Conference in 2016. She sat in on different presentations and enjoyed the many networking opportunities. “I’m even more excited this year now that I have more knowledge of the industry,” says Pura. “It’s definitely good exposure.”

 Before the 2017 conference, she spent some time helping Menendez review and score articles for the Young Professionals Track of the annual conference. Now that she is not as busy with wedding preparations – Pura was married this summer– she anticipates having more time for volunteering. In August, she joined the Mentoring Program at NC State and is currently working with two engineering students. She is also scheduled to deliver presentations about working as an engineer to some of the first year classes.

 At the same time, Menendez is encouraging her to think ahead to the 2018 NC AWWA-WEA Annual Conference with the possibility of delivering a presentation on a project she is currently undertaking for McAdams. The project involves redesigning a pump station for a coastal community.

 She enjoys having the chance to go out into the field to visit the wastewater collection system and interact with clients. “It’s motivating for me to know why I’m doing what I’m doing,” says Pura. “Working in the field makes the work more interesting in so many ways. I can wrap my head around a project a lot better when I can visually see it.”

 The projects that she is working on are also an opportunity for her to build her skills in water and wastewater so she can apply them to other projects and share them with other organizations such as Engineers Without Borders. Pura notes that McAdams encourages its staff to give back to the community through their program McAdams Shares. For instance, the company partners with a local school by inviting 10 at-riskstudents to visit their facilities.

Employees welcome the students over the lunch hour and show them the work they do. “I think exposure is so important,” says Pura. “If you can touch even just one student… I’m so lucky to be working with such a great team. You can build such a good support system at McAdams. That’s something to value.”  

I take great pride in the fact that I’m part of an organization that provides essential services every single day,” says Courtney Driver, Utilities Director for the City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Part of that passion involves volunteering for NC AWWA-WEA, which she joined when she became a city employee in 2008.

 In 2010, when the Annual Conference was held in Winston-Salem, she chaired the Host Welcoming Committee, as part of the local arrangements committee (LAC). Three years later, she served as the co-chair of the LAC, becoming chair in 2014.

 Driver was also part of the inaugural Leadership Development Class. At around the same time, she was asked to be the chair of the Utility Management Group. That is quite the track record for someone who never intended to work in water and wastewater. In fact, when she studied Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University, her focus was on structures. But when she graduated in 2003 and started a job with Allied Design, the structures for which she was responsible were not entirely the type she had envisioned. Her work with the small Winston-Salem firm revolved around structures related to water, stormwater, gravity sewers, and pump stations.

 “I kind of just fell into it,” Driver recalls. “The owner of Allied Design, gave me a chance right out of college and I will never forget that.”

 After five years designing water and wastewater infrastructure at Allied Design, her transition to project engineer for the utilities department at the City of Winston- Salem seemed to be a natural fit. Her first project involved upgrading the Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant. “I really enjoy taking a project from a preliminary concept and plan design to construction and operation,” she says, recalling the grit-process and the pre-treatment design that led up to the creation of a new headworks facility at the Elledge Plant. “I walked through sewer channels where no one will ever go again. It was exciting!”

 From Project Engineer, she progressed to the position of Senior Civil Engineer, then Capital Projects Engineer, and finally to Deputy Utilities Director, in charge of all water and sewer operations. It was then that she was offered a position as the Assistant to the City Manager. “You never want to turn down an opportunity from the City Manager, even though I never imagined that as part of my career path,” says Driver.

 The experience proved invaluable in giving her the broad perspective that is so useful for her current position. As the Director of a regional utility, she is responsible for water distribution and treatment as well as wastewater collection and treatment. “What is different about our utility,” she adds, “is that we have a solid waste program.” The solid waste department operates a municipal solid waste landfill, a construction and demolition landfill, and two yardwaste facilities. As part of her responsibility for the entire utilities department, Driver manages a $95 million operation and debt service budget, as well as a diverse staff of approximately 380 people, including a variety of trades and professionals.

 Her experience with NC AWWA-WEA has also been very helpful for connecting with people in all facets of the industry. “I’ve been able to meet so many people who I wouldn’t have otherwise,” she explains. “You are able to share experiences with your peers in other utilities and collaborate with other professionals in the field. You can share your successes, ideas, and challenges – that’s really impactful.”

 “We all want to be the best,” she continues, adding that she encourages her staff to think of themselves as best in class. “We try to have that mindset in everything we do.”

 As part of that drive toward excellence, Driver chairs the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin Association and is a member of the newly formed Yadkin-Pee Dee Water Management Group that looks at the water needs in the Yadkin Basin. “We are reviewing our drought response plans and future water supply demands,” explains Driver. “At the same time, we are trying to get some consistency in what we’re sharing and presenting to the state.” The goal of the group is to look at the river basin in its entirety, using a model currently implemented by the Catawba Wateree Water Management Group. The Yadkin Association is also interested in meeting regularly with groups from the other North Carolina basins to have a larger, more coordinated voice for the state overall.

Driver knows that this networking will open new possibilities both for the City and for her career. “Since graduation, my career path has not really been planned,” she reflects. “I’m not doing what I thought I’d be doing and that’s okay. I’ve had a lot of good opportunities come my way and I’ve been fortunate to have new and exciting experiences. If I’ve learned anything, it’s to be open to new challenges.”

 Presently, her focus is on fulfilling her position as director to the very best of her abilities, while balancing family life with a fulltime career. Driver and her husband function as a close team, raising two boys aged nine and seven. “Even with everything else we juggle, they always come first in our life,” she says. “My personal goal is to be the best working mom that I can be.”

Originally published in the Spring 2018 NC Currents

When Gracelyn Sanders was hired as an Administrative Support Specialist by the City of Raleigh Public Utilities’ Sewer Maintenance Division in 2011, she was in the middle of pursuing a Master of Science in Administration (Public). Although she did not need a Master’s for her new job, she traveled every weekend to attend classes at Central Michigan University’s campus at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro – an hour away – until she completed her degree. “If I start something, I have to finish it,” explains Sanders. It is that kind of tenacity and determination that played a key role in helping the Sewer Maintenance and Division obtain ISO 14001:2015 certification, four years after she started with the City of Raleigh. “I was new to my role, having to learn a new standard myself, while working to get everyone on the same page,” she recalls. “This is a great accomplishment for the Division, as they have joined an elite few that have obtained certification to this new ISO standard.”

 Although she started off in administration, her managers – or “mentors,” as she calls them – increasingly encouraged Sanders to become involved in the program side of the organization. “I’ve always been very fortunate to work for supportive leaders who have pushed me to do more than what I was hired for,” she says. “Anything that I want to learn or want to have input in, they are behind me 100%.” This includes supporting Sanders in pursuing various certifications. She currently has her Collections II certification and plans to take the exam for Collections III this year, on the way to ultimately obtaining her Collections IV.

 “I got my Collections I when I was hired as an administrative support specialist,” she points out. “I didn’t know anything about public utilities and I wanted to learn about it.” At the same time, Sanders became involved with NC AWWA-WEA, attending the spring Collections and Distribution School in 2012. She then coordinated the vendor show for several Schools, helping register students and recruiting other volunteers to assist with registration. In 2015, she co-chaired the Publicity Committee for the Local Arrangement Committee and currently chairs the Registration Committee.

 Her dedication to the industry did not go unnoticed. In December 2016, Sanders assumed her current position as Process Control Training Officer. In this role, she serves as the Division’s Environmental Management System Representative (EMR), responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of the Sewer Maintenance Environmental Management System (SMEMS). “I want to learn more about the field operation side,” she says, “but I also want to work in a position where I can have the most impact.”

 Her new role includes monitoring the effectiveness of the SMEMS, leading the SMEMS Team, ensuring the timely completion of EMS tasks, managing the SMEMS Manual, monitoring and measuring progress on achieving objectives and targets, communicating EMS related information, and assisting in the training and development of the division’s 125 employees. “I’m still learning my new role,” says Sanders, “and I’m really enjoying it.” She notes that learning about the program and operations side is very helpful when it comes to training and development. What she likes the most about her work is the opportunity to help others get where they need to be. “I love to help them with their questions about management systems, trainings, or anything that they have concerns about,” she explains. “These people work so hard. Seeing them succeed is what makes me happy.”

 Service has always been first and foremost for Sanders. “I enjoy being a part of public health,” she notes, adding that she had originally hoped to pursue a degree in gerontology. After high school, she spent 10 years with the US Army as an Automated Logistical Supply Specialist. She then spent 11 years performing various administrative management duties with the NC State Department of Health and Human Services and with the Johnston County’s Council on Aging.

 While working full time with the Department of Health, she decided to pursue a Bachelors in Business Administration and Finance at Barton College, driving over an hour to Wilson, NC to take classes on Friday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm and from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, and Sunday. At the same time, she volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels to seniors, something that she would like to start doing again in the future.

 For now, she spends as much time as she can with her grandmother who recently turned 96. Every Thanksgiving, Sanders and her family spend a week with her grandmother at the beach. “I started this tradition about six years ago,” she says. “Like me she likes to go to the beach in the fall, when it’s quiet.” Not surprisingly, even when Sanders takes some time for a much-needed rest, she still finds a way to make a difference.

Originally published in the Spring 2018 NC Currents

David Heiser is at home anywhere in the world where he can help people gain better access to clean water and wastewater disposal. A senior environmental engineer with CDM Smith, he has traveled the globe, contributing his expertise to projects far and wide. Just a few years ago, when CDM Smith was hired to evaluate twin 104" diameter, 22km long GRP pipelines for drinking water from the Nile River to New Cairo, Heiser was onsite in Egypt three times during a six-month period. While he was there, he became involved with a groundwater-lowering project to save a pharaonic temple further up the Nile.

 “My professional career has taken me to some interesting places,” he notes in what could possibly be the biggest understatement ever published in this magazine. During 44 years as a civil and environmental engineer he has participated in designing, evaluating, and constructing waterworks plants, pumping stations and large diameter pipelines in such far flung places as Hong Kong, Egypt, and Guam, as well as locations throughout the US.

 In his volunteer work he has travelled to Nicaragua with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the Methodist Church. Working with the World Vision office in Africa and the Rotary Clubs of Pennsylvania, Heiser helped line up the funding to drill three water wells on the outskirts of Lubumbashi, DRC, a city of three million, with underserviced slums of 20,000 to 40,000 people. “We were able to assist them in getting water,” he confirms, adding that this was the first step in a number of success stories for the community, from the building of wells to schools and hospitals.

 Clean water, he points out, is fundamental to good health care. Several of his mission trips have been with Curamericas Global, an organization based in Raleigh, NC, that is devoted to providing mothers and children around the world with vital health services. “There are so many women in these countries who are dying in childbirth for no reason,” says Heiser. “We clean up the water system so people can stay healthy. Usually, when I go on a mission I like it to be water or wastewater related. I get a sense of satisfaction that, when I leave, I’ve helped the community.” His most recent mission with Curamericas was in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala. He hopes to continue working on this organization’s projects around the world, and is currently on their Board of Advisors as the water consultant.

 Heiser comes by his global ways honestly. His father was a dam engineer who transplanted the family from Denver, Colorado to India when David was only five. Heiser grew up in New Delhi, India; Lahore, Pakistan; and Tehran, Iran, attending boarding school in Montreaux, Switzerland, where he learned both French and German.

 He returned to the US in 1964, graduating from high school two years later. He then spent six years in the US Air Force, during the Vietnam War era. After his discharge, he completed a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, with a major in pure hydraulics. His first job out of college involved designing a 400 MGD stormwater treatment plant in Rochester, NY, for which hydraulic calculations were needed to size all the facilities. “That’s what thrust me into this field,” notes Heiser. “I easily morphed from there into doing the hydraulics for both water and wastewater treatment plants and have now been designing and constructing plants for 43 years.”

 Along the way, he became a member of numerous professional associations, in many of which he now holds a life membership. “Even in college, you are encouraged to join professional associations and activities,” he points out. Heiser recalls becoming a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1973 in order to participate in the concrete canoe competition while at Penn State.

 Some of the organizations with which he has been the most involved since then include the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, EWB, the NC Water Operators Association, Professional Engineers of North Carolina (PENC), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and his primary organization the NC AWWA-WEA. In 2003, Heiser was named PENC Engineer-of-the-Year for North Carolina.

 For several years, he has volunteered as a judge in the NSPE-sponsored MathCounts, a local, state and national competition for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. “Many of the volunteers are also members of the NC AWWA-WEA,” notes Heiser, adding that he is very proud to be a member as well. “The amount of training the Association does each year is mindboggling.”

 Since 1991, he himself has taught twice a year at the water and wastewater treatment plant operator certification schools. Over the years, he also served three terms as the Influent Integrator for the 5S Society and chaired several NC AWWA-WEA committees. One that stands out is the now defunct Outreach Committee, in which members worked on water and wastewater systems for low-income communities in North Carolina. “We mostly did engineering reports for these communities, at no cost,” recalls Heiser. “You can’t apply for grant money until a Preliminary Engineering Report has been completed.”

 Another committee near and dear to his heart is Water For People – although he has not participated in any international Water for People projects because his overseas involvement with EWB, Curamericas and the United Methodist Church has consumed most of his free time. To date, he has always had to squeeze the one-to-two-week mission trips in between his professional obligations and family vacations.

 Heiser’s work with CDM Smith has kept him very busy with the design, construction management, and evaluation of WTPs, WWTPs, large diameter pipelines, pumping stations, earthen dams, landfill leachate management facilities, elevated water storage tanks, reclaimed water systems, and sludge treatment and disposal systems. Over the past eight years, his work has mainly revolved around construction at the wastewater treatment plants in Greensboro, NC.

 After he retires at the end of 2018, Heiser is looking forward to participating in many more mission trips to various countries around the world, predominantly with Curamericas Global, the United Methodist Church, Water For People and other non-governmental organizations. As part of this volunteer work, he is hoping to continue working on the missions in Guatemala, Bolivia and the DRC.

 He also plans to continue pursuing some of his passions such as stained glass and singing. “I have sung all my adult life in university choirs, semi-professional groups, and church choirs,” explains Heiser, adding that he has been a member of the Campbell University Choral Society since 1991.

 It is yet another aspect of his vast capacity for embracing life and all it has to offer, whether it be at home or abroad. In that sense, the apple did not fall far from the tree. “I learned a lot from my parents,” agrees Heiser. “I praise them every other day for raising me the way they did.” Around the world, those who continue to benefit from all his good works should be praising them too.

Some days, Wendy Banks still finds it hard to believe she co-owns a successful construction coatings company. “My husband likes to tell people that I paint the sewers,” laughs Banks, who started Carolina Management Team (CMT) with her brother David Van Zee in 2003. From the beginning, her focus has always been on exceeding expectations, taking the stereotype of a painting company and turning it on its head.  

It comes down to listening to what is important to the customer, and what is the most desirable outcome, she explains. “Ultimately it’s all about how do we deliver excellent customer service,” says Banks. “That service mentality has been deeply rooted in my training and experience since I was 20.”  

After graduating with a degree in Hospitality Management, she spent four and a half years as a senior sales manager for Walt Disney World, selling parties in the theme park to corporate America and various associations coming to Orlando for their conferences. Then in 2001, Disney started to downsize and Banks decided to take advantage of the company’s ‘voluntary separation program.’ By that time, she was completing a Master of Business Administration and considering her next career opportunity.  

“I come from a really entrepreneurial family,” says Banks of her decision to go into business instead of continuing in the hospitality industry. Her father George had run a coatings business in Florida and her older brother Mark launched a thriving painting business in Colorado straight out of college. When her younger brother David suggested that they start a coatings company in North Carolina, a business plan began to take shape.  

“That was really the beginning,” confirms Banks. “We’ve been focused on water and wastewater ever since the City of Winston- Salem called us. We fell in love with the people.” The City hired CMT to paint the Manson Meads Complex, the building that houses the administration team for the water and wastewater division.  

The project was memorable for another reason: the supplier unknowingly provided two different paint tints resulting in a stripecoated finish. “That’s when we truly came into our own,” recalls Banks, explaining that Sherwin-Williams mixed a new batch of paint and sold CMT a spray pump at minimal cost. “He more than made it right and allowed us to do the same.”  

Banks adds that initially, she and her brother found the public sector intimidating. “Local, state, and federal government agencies often procure goods and services with low bid prevailing,” she explains. “We knew we would have trouble competing because, based on my Disney experience, our focus was on excellence. We were really concerned about providing a quality service and still winning the work. I was convinced that the relationships would help us build the company and that is exactly what happened.”  

The company’s goal has been to have 100% repeat customers. “If you take them through the process well, they get to the desired outcome and are eager to tell their friends and colleagues about us,” says Banks. This philosophy has served CMT well. Since its founding in 2003, CMT has grown to 45 employees and nearly $5 million in annual revenue.  

CMT’s growing reputation resulted in calls from the US State Department to travel abroad. The company flew its team across the African continent in order to solve a problem other contractors were unable to fix. “We were excited that we could plan and appropriately deliver an excellent finished project in a place like Madagascar,” says Banks. “There are no Home Depots, no rental companies – no resources available there.”  

The State Department turned to CMT again when other contractors were unable to repair a water tank at the US Consulate in Tijuana. CMT was able to figure out how to remove the coating that was leaching into the drinking water and reapply a lining system so that the water was potable. Both the tanks in Tijuana and Madagascar were subterranean, making the projects even more challenging.  

“The water and wastewater industry in North Carolina, with all their projects and their belief in us, provided the proving ground for us to represent our state on a national and international stage,” says Banks.  

She also credits the NC AWWAWEA for helping both the company, its owners, and its employees succeed in the industry. Within a year of founding CMT, the company participated in its first NC AWWA-WEA Annual Conference. “We had the pleasure of sitting beside Steve Shoaf at the very first dinner,” recalls Banks. “He encouraged me to get involved. We’ve never looked back.” Members of CMT chair two sections of the Professional Wastewater Operators Committee. The company has also conducted several procurement workshops through the NC AWWA-WEA.  

Meanwhile, Banks has served as chair of the Exhibits Committee and is currently vice-chair. Banks also sits on the Plant Operations and Maintenance Committee, through which she has worked on planning the operations and maintenance track for the Spring Conference. As the subcommittee chair for the awards committee, she has focused on the Maintenance Technologist of the Year and the Don Francisco Educator of the Year awards. Most recently, Banks was tapped for the Leadership Development Program, with Brian Tripp as her mentor.  

One thing that Banks has always known is that having a strong support system is critical to success. “I don’t think I could possibly serve the water industry if I wasn’t part of NC AWWA-WEA,” she says. “People in this industry are very gracious. If you ask for help, they’re always ready to share.”  

Lynn Brilz says it’s a good day when the public doesn’t know his name. “It’s best if you don’t know who I am,” laughs the Senior Engineer at the Town of Cary’s (Town) Water Resources Department. “I’ve never received a call from someone saying, ‘Gee Lynn, the sewer is working great today.’”  

Not that Brilzminds. He’s devoted his career to making sure that when people do their laundry or flush their toilets, they have the luxury of forgetting what goes on behind the scenes. “Before I got into this position,” he says. “I didn’t truly appreciate how much planning, coordination, and work are involved in maintaining collection systems and treatment plants.”  

He points to such facets as pretreatment inspection to minimize fats, oils, and grease, sewer-line cleaning, condition assessment inspections, and flow monitoring programs to evaluate performance of the collection system. “On top of that you have all the ongoing maintenance and operations that keep our systems running,” points out Brilz. “To me, the amount of work that goes into maintaining a wastewater collection system is truly remarkable.”  

Yet that is exactly the kind of activity in which he is involved. He is engaged in a wide variety of projects to ensure the system keeps working: from sanitary force main condition assessments and force main cleaning, to rehabilitating manholes and gravity sewer lines with technologies such as cured-in-place lining. “We have an amazing team of dedicated staff that work every day to keep everything running,” says Brilz. As part of the Jordan Lake Water Reclamation and Reuse Project, he has also been involved in converting a sanitary force main to a reclaimed water line.  

In 2016, Brilz had two opportunities to share the insights he gained from working on this project. At the NC AWWAWEA Spring Symposium in Asheville, along with the consulting engineering team, he delivered a presentation on the challenges of building a pipeline in a rapidly changing corridor, with a rapidly growing population. Later that fall, he continued the conversation on the Jordan Lake Water Reclamation and Reuse Project at the Annual Conference as one of four speakers presenting on the project’s unique partnership. Durham County’s Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant produces the reclaimed water, which is delivered to parts of Research Triangle Park (RTP) in Wake County and to the Town’s Northwest Reclaimed Water Service Area. The Town operates and maintains the pipeline infrastructure within Town limits and Wake County. “Wake County was initially the lead in coordinating the project,” explains Brilz, adding that the Town was able to bring considerable experience to the work, due to its history of operating and maintaining reclaimed water systems since 2001.   

Two of the Town’s wastewater facilities produce water for reuse, mostly for irrigation, but also for industrial purposes, such as cooling towers. In fact, the field in the Town’s signature USA Baseball National Training Complex is kept green thanks to reclaimed water.  

The Water Resources Department manages projects involving distribution and treatment of potable water, as well as the collection and treatment of stormwater and wastewater, asset management, and water resources planning functions. Brilz enjoys working in a team environment with other Town staff, including Public Works and Utilities Department employees whose job is also to “keep things going.” Over the past 10 years, Brilz has mainly been involved in condition assessments, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair of what’s already in the ground. “I’ve always enjoyed working with existing infrastructure,” he explains. “There’s something satisfying about taking something that’s old and extending its service life by renewing it to keep it going.”

After graduating with a BS in civil engineering from the University of North Dakota in 1990, he worked for a number of consulting firms on everything from site design to paving jobs and landfill construction. “As time went on, my work became more and more geared toward underground utility and wastewater projects,” he recalls, “including pumps stations, other wastewater treatment applications, and things of that nature.” Then in 2000, he was hired by the City of Fargo, North Dakota, and he realized he had found his calling. “Working for a municipality held a special appeal for me,” he explains. “I truly enjoyed working on a team that takes ownership and pride in maintaining something that is constantly improving.” That sentiment was still strong when he moved to North Carolina and ultimately joined the Town in 2007. Brilz also appreciates all the opportunities he has to work on such a large variety of projects. “I would have a hard time listing a single project that stands out,” he says. “Each has had unique and interesting attributes.” Because each project always brings something new and, at the same time, the industry is always advancing, Brilz is always eager to attend the NC AWWA-WEA Annual Conference to keep up with emerging products and technology. “Touching base with people who do what you do and hearing how they manage their projects is always interesting,” he adds. “I think we learn as much from each other as we ever did in school.” The public may not know Lynn Brilz, but his colleagues in the industry certainly do – and he knows their name too. In the end, that’s all the counts.  

From his time as a student at North Carolina State University (NCSU) to his current role as a civil engineer-in-training at Black & Veatch, Derek Dussek has always been devoted to helping others. He has embraced every opportunity to become involved in projects, events, and groups where he could contribute to making a difference.

Coupled with a passion for learning, it was this innate need to serve that first propelled him into Student Government as a Senator for the College of Natural Resources during his freshman year at NCSU. At the time, Dussek was enrolled in Forest Management, a program that also afforded him the opportunity to spend a month in South Africa as part of an international study program.

Then, in his sophomore year, he decided to head in a different direction. “I asked myself what kind of career could I have in which I could help a lot of people,” recalls Dussek. “I chose civil engineering, with a focus on water because it’s something all of us need on a daily basis.” With this new career path, he could help the environment as well.

 Not long after switching his field of study, he decided to join the NCSU chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), serving as president in his senior year. During his involvement with ASCE, he and the other students hosted presenters, organized events, and constructed both a concrete canoe as well as a bridge for their local student chapter competition. “One of the best parts was getting to learn how to interact with volunteers and communicate effectively,” notes Dussek, “including how to encourage them to stay involved and see the benefits of volunteering.”

It was obvious he was speaking from personal experience. While he was with ASCE, he was also serving on the Engineers Council as the representative for the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. He also served on the Councils for both Wood and Lee Halls while he was in residence.

Even his part-time jobs revolved around helping. One year he worked as a resident advisor, facilitating programs to help build the community in the residence where he was living. The following year, he tutored students in math, physics, and civil engineering courses.

 Once he graduated from college and started working in the water and wastewater industry, he became involved with the NC AWWA-WEA. After attending the Annual Conference, he assumed responsibility for the Raleigh Section of the Students & Young Professional Committee. Having cocommittee chairs that divided responsibility for Charlotte area and Raleigh-area activities made it easy to reach out to a larger number of people and get them involved. “We had the opportunity to build the committee in the direction we wanted while working with each other at the same time,” he explains.

Dussek also made the effort to sit in on various NC AWWA-WEA committee meetings by conference call to see what other opportunities he might be interested in pursuing. Today he volunteers on the Seminars and Workshops Committee, the Public Education Committee, the Membership Services Committee, and the Leadership Development Program. “I really enjoy it,” says Dussek. “Volunteering allows me to meet new people and learn something new about our industry.”

 By participating in the first class developed for the Leadership Development Program, he was able to play a role in shaping how the program would evolve. Meanwhile, his work on the Seminars and Workshop Committee has involved finding speakers for different presentation topics geared towards the seminar theme. “The one that I’ve helped most with is contemporary topics in construction,” he notes. “I do that annually and, depending on where the conference is located, we try to cater our presentations to reach out to the expected audience.”

 As a member of the Public Education Committee, Dussek has helped out with the Model Water Tower Competition. In 2016, he also volunteered with a local after school program, preparing the students to compete. “They did really well,” he recalls. “It’s really fun. At the same time, it’s wonderful to see the kids learn and apply engineering skills to complete their project.”

 He has also helped with judging at the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair for elementary, middle, and high school students. The Public Education Committee gives out special awards for water-related projects. “It helps the students become aware of our industry, while giving them the opportunity to talk about something they’ve spent the last couple of months working on,” says Dussek. “It’s fun to see that they are excited about it and have learned something. We ask them different questions about their project and encourage them to take their projects to the next level.” Over the years, he has encouraged a number of people from other companies to help as volunteer judges.

 Dussek feels fortunate to have worked for companies that have been very supportive of his involvement with professional associations and activities. “One of the things that has allowed me to do everything is receiving support from leadership,” he confirms.

 His first position after graduation was with HDR, the same company where he had completed two internships during his studies. Then in December 2016, he started at Black & Veatch.

 To date, his career has revolved around water treatment facility process analysis, design, and construction administration. On a daily basis, he applies his engineering knowledge to address issues related to water treatment, wastewater treatment, and everything in between, while managing client, consultant, and contractor relationships. “I’ve had the opportunity to work on multiple projects that have provided me with a strong platform of experience to walk on moving forward in my career,” notes Dussek. “One of the things I enjoy the most about my work is that I get to learn something new every day.”

 After having spent many hours over the past few months studying to take and pass the PE exam, Dussek will once again have more time to devote to volunteering. There is no question that he will make ample use of every available minute!

John Dodson always knew he did not want a desk job. “I wanted something where I could be outside,” said the Wastewater Superintendent for the City of Durham. “I toured a wastewater plant before I entered college and decided this is what I wanted to do. It was a good mix of indoor and outdoor work. I could feel like I was making a difference and it was a good, stable career.”

Dodson’s career started at the City of Durham. In 1998, after graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Resource Management, he accepted a position as a plant operator at the North Durham Water Reclamation Facility.

Not long after starting as an operator, Dodson became actively involved with the NC AWWA-WEA’s Wastewater Schools Committee, teaching at the annual Biological Wastewater Operators and Physical/Chemical Operators Schools. He has continued ever since. “I really enjoy teaching and networking with other folks in the business,” he says. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people at different conferences and seminars. My experience with the NC AWWA-WEA has really helped me advance in my career.”

One such opportunity for advancement arrived in 2004. After a brief stint as the reclaimed water coordinator for the Town of Cary, Dodson became the plant manager at the City of Greensboro’s T.Z. Osborne Waste-water Treatment Plant, a facility with the capacity to treat 40 million gallons per day.

Two years later, the City of Durham came calling. It was clear they wanted him back, this time for the role of Superintendent. But that did not mean that Dodson would be spending all his time behind a desk. A true hands-on leader, he serves as the Opera-tor in Responsible Charge (ORC) for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit as well as the land application permit.

He also supervises a staff of 16 operators and mechanics, overseeing the day-to-day operations. Dodson is also responsible for managing the operations and maintenance budget.

Although he enjoys his work with compliance, he admits that it can also be quite challenging. “Compliance is totally dependent on the biology in the plant and what comes down the pipe,” says Dodson. “It’s something different every day.”

As for being outdoors, there are plenty of opportunities for that as well. He still remembers his first experience seeing both the inside and outside of a plant, and it’s something he wants to share. “I really enjoy giving tours, whether it’s for kids or adults,” he explains. “I love talking about what we do and how we do it.”

Dodson knows it’s important to prepare the next generation to step in and assume responsibility for keeping water and the environment safe. It is one of the reasons that he continues to teach at the waste-water schools and give tours of the plant.

Dodson realizes that he won’t be working forever. After finishing his career with Durham, he and his wife plan to retire in the mountains, either in North Carolina or in Pennsylvania. Until then, he looks forward to continuing his work as a superintendent, keeping the plant running smoothly, both inside and out.

Photo credit: Amber Tindall, Amber Ocean Photographic

In the early years of Highfill Infrastructure Engineering, P.C., Tyler Highfill and his business partner Ray Cox decided to focus on being the best possible water and wastewater design firm in the Southeast. To do this, they knew they had to act as problem solvers, and provide outstanding technical resources to their clients. “In addition to being highly technically capable,” explains Tyler Highfill, “what we were most passionate about was providing service, and understanding the needs of our clients to a depth and breadth that would enable us to provide a high level of responsiveness to their needs.”

Since then, service has continued to be the guiding principle for both Highfill and the company, attracting like-minded people to work for HIGHFILL. “All of our people are very involved in service outside our profession,” Highfill points out. “So it’s probably no coincidence that they enjoy providing service, because it’s ingrained in who they are.”

For instance, one member of the team spent some time in Guatemala on a service project, and another spent six months in Ecuador helping with water projects, while yet another volunteers at a soup kitchen. As for Highfill, outside of the office he devotes his time to coaching youth baseball as a platform for providing children with guidance and mentorship.

Highfill offers a glowing review of the team in his office, and the admiration is mutual. A request to describe the founder and President of the company elicited words such as “thorough” “appreciative,” and “sincere”, and phrases such as “driven yet empathetic,” “leads by example,” and “values everyone’s opinion.” Another member of the team described Highfill as, “a forward thinker who is always one step ahead of the game.”

It’s no wonder then, that the NC AWWA-WEA approached him to chair the newly-created Career Ladder Task Force from 2014-16. “It’s an exciting initiative,” says Highfill. “It has resulted in the creation of an organized group of training modules that will help operators advance their careers, which will in turn help employers and our entire industry.”

Highfill has found that helping members advance in the industry is a common thread running through all NC AWWA-WEA activities. Highfill first joined the AWWA in 1995, shortly after graduating from NC State University with a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering. At the time he was working in the North Carolina office of Piedmont, Olsen & Hensley – later taken over by Arcadis.

Over the years, Highfill served on a wide variety of committees, including Computer Applications, Local Arrangements, Collection and Distribution, and Government Affairs. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for two years and a WEF Delegate for three, which also placed him on the national WEF House of Delegates. “I think when you get involved in some of these organizations, you get more out of it than what you put in,” notes Highfill, adding that NC AWWA-WEA brings members in contact with many different areas of focus. “When you step out of your office into a new environment, you see things from a different angle. I helped out with NC AWWA-WEA and I know they helped me a lot too.”

He points out that, along with opportunities for networking with other members of the industry, volunteering with NC AWWA-WEA is also an excellent way to develop abilities such as leadership, time management and presentation skills. “The first time I ever looked at a profit/loss statement was sitting on the board of directors of NC AWWA-WEA,” recalls Highfill. “That was long before I ever thought that I would be running a business.”

Indeed, these skills proved to be invaluable when he launched HIGHFILL in 2004, with a focus on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. Today, the company has grown from a one-person operation to a team of 18, with offices in Cary, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, and Columbia. What has not changed is the company’s commitment to serving clients, colleagues, and the community.

HIGHFILL offers the personal touch of a small firm combined with the technical knowledge and capabilities needed to serve some of the larger cities and towns in North Carolina. “One of the reasons we made it through the recession fairly well is that we had built these relationships of trust,” explains Highfill, noting that 90% of their clients are repeat customers. “I think it’s a measure of whether or not we’re serving them well.”

For instance, several clients have renewed their ‘on-call contracts’ multiple times. Instead of tendering for every project, some communities will contract with a pool of companies, turning to them on an as-needs basis for specific work, such as plant improvements, pipeline extensions, and pump station renovations. “Being able to continue doing that kind of work is indicative of client satisfaction,” Highfill reiterates. “If you don’t provide a high level of service, you don’t get work within the on-calls and you don’t get renewed.”

The sheer variety of projects has enabled members of the HIGHFILL team to develop a wide breadth of experience, which management has encouraged them to share at conferences and events. In recognition of the leadership role Highfill has played in encouraging this level of involvement with the industry as a whole, the NC AWWA-WEA has recognized him with numerous awards, including the Kasey Monroe Outstanding Service Award and, most recently, the William D. Hatfield Award. He is also a member of the 5S Society.

Outside the industry, Highfill continues to be heavily involved in coaching youth basketball and baseball. In 2012, he led his younger son’s team to the all-star baseball world series, joining teams from all over the world. His older son is playing college baseball this year, and Highfill is looking forward to travelling to different venues and watching him pursue his dreams.

He notes that the other members of his team are involved in similar activities with their families. “I want to build a sustainable company, with very dedicated, hardworking employees that also recognize the importance of balancing work and family,” he says. “When they find success, it feels good to know that you had a role in helping them get there.”

It should be no surprise to anyone who knows Melinda Ward that she was honored with the 2016 William D. Hatfield Award for her work as Wastewater Superintendent for the City of Eden. The award, which recognizes wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operators for outstanding performance and professionalism, is a fitting tribute to someone who has dedicated her life to raising the bar in both plant efficiency and public relations.

When the price of electricity and gas started to rise sharply a few years ago, Ward made it her mission to find a way to reduce costs at Eden’s WWTP. The amount of electricity saved by turning off the lagoon aerators during peak hours paid for the plant’s first SolarBee® in less than a year. “It’s been a great asset to the plant,” she confirms. A few years earlier, the plant had replaced its floating aerators with brush aerators, resulting in a surplus of dissolved oxygen while reducing the effectiveness of mixing in the lower half of the aeration basin. “It became obvious that we needed to use less aerator capacity,” says Ward, adding that, with the way the system was designed, turning the aerators off would stop the mixing process.

Ward started looking into solar-power mixers, eventually obtaining a SolarBee® on a trial basis. “It had never been used in a wastewater plant in this capacity,” she notes. “It doesn’t actually mix the mixed liquor, but it keeps the solids in suspension.” As a result, operators have been able to shut off the aerators during sunlight hours. As an added bonus, the SolarBee® helps moves the air further down the basin, to depths the aerators could not reach.

“We’ve started seeing better mixing and better treatment in the basin,” says Ward, adding that the plant has since purchased two more SolarBee® units. A dissolved oxygen (DO) monitor installed at the end of the basin sends data to the SCADA system, ensuring operators turn on an aerator if levels fall below 1.5 ppm.

Ward co-wrote a paper on the project, which was presented at the NC AWWAWEA Spring Conference and later at a WEFTEC conference in Los Angeles. “I’ve had several people from other plants call me about our experience to see if it could work for them,” adds Ward. “It’s not going to work for everybody, but it can be a useful tool for plants with basins like this that have problems with over-aerating.”

If improving plant efficiency was not reason enough to recognize Ward’s work, she is also heavily involved in encouraging better relations between plant operators and the public. A few years ago, she started writing a column for a local monthly paper to educate readers on subjects such as fats, oils, and greases, and how to prevent overflows. She has also visited schools to give presentations on careers in water and wastewater, and once set up a booth at the annual RiverFest to highlight what the plant does to protect the river and how citizens can help out.

“I love giving tours of the plant as well,” she adds, “and taking people around and helping them understand what we do.” She enjoys, seeing the amazement on their face when they see the contrast between the influent and the crystal clear effluent coming out at the end.

If Ward is particularly passionate about the work she does, it is in large part thanks to the sheer depth of her experience in the industry. “I grew up playing at a wastewater plant when I was little,” recalls Ward, noting that her father, Lynwood Sessoms, was superintendent of the Tarboro WWTP. “I would go with him to collect samples.” Later, she witnessed the conversion of the plant to secondary treatment, as well as the second upgrade to nutrient removal.

With this degree of early exposure, Ward should have been a shoo-in for a career in water and wastewater, but that is not where she initially headed. “I decided to be a banker,” she explains, “but of all the different classes I took, I didn’t like any of them.”

Fortunately, while in college, she also worked part-time at the construction site during the Tarboro plant upgrade. Ward started in the office with the engineer and construction manager, then during the winter and summer months, she worked directly with the construction. “I got to see the plant from all different aspects,” she recalls. “Me and a couple of other college students got the odd jobs that nobody else wanted. It was fascinating. I had seen a lot of stuff, but never actually seen it empty.”

It was a visit to an NC AWWA-WEA conference in Asheville that finally sealed the deal. “I got to walk around and talk to all the vendors,” she recalls. “I was fascinated by everything. Then, after working at the construction site and seeing all the different aspects of the industry, I decided to declare a major in Environmental Health.”

Her coursework eventually led to an internship at both the water and wastewater plants in Tarboro. “My father told me never to work for a municipality, but that’s where I ended up for my first job,” laughs Ward, noting that she started her career with the City of Rocky Mount. “I’ve been working with municipalities ever since.”

She explains that working for a municipality gives her a greater sense of protecting the environment. Ward started her career at the water plant and distribution system as part of Rocky Mount’s cross training. Within a year, she was relocated to the wastewater plant as lab supervisor. “I got a lot of variety,” she recalls.

Shortly after becoming lab supervisor, she met her husband, Michael Ward, who had also done an internship in water and wastewater at Rocky Mount around the time when she started. He relocated to Clinton, and after they were married, she joined the nearby Newton Grove WWTP as Superintendent. Because it was a small plant with unique challenges, she also acted as the operator. “There really were no industries in town,” explains Ward, “but sometimes you would have upsets at the plant that were hard to track down. If it ever rained in the middle of the night, there would be all kinds of problems when I came in the next morning. I learned a whole lot.” For many years afterward, she would wake in a panic whenever it rained.

She left Newton Grove after her first son was born, and a year later accepted a part-time position supervising a well system once a week for the town of Turkey. Then in 2001, the family moved to Henry County in Virginia, where Ward stayed at home raising her sons before eventually going back to work in the lab and as an operator at the Martinsville WWTP in Virginia.

In 2008, she became Superintendent for the City of Eden, NC, just across the Virginia border. “My wide variety of experience prepared me well for this job,” she reflects.

After being in Virginia for so many years, Ward had lost touch with the industry in North Carolina. In an effort to reconnect, she decided to volunteer for the NC Wastewater Board of Educators and Examiners (WWBOEE). “I thought it was a great way to start off,” she says.

She then joined the Central Region’s Professional Wastewater Operators Committee (PWOC) and served as chair for three years, before becoming the vice-chair for the committee at the state level. She notes that the PWOC offers operators excellent opportunities to see a wide variety of processes by visiting other plants. “It’s a great learning experience for everybody,” says Ward.

Recently, she started a term as chair of the WWBOEE. She also joined the Risk Management Committee, for which she has become one of the “safety experts,” thanks to her extensive involvement with safety issues for the City of Eden. A few years ago, the City invited the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to the plant for a consultation on areas that needed improvement. Success in addressing safety issues has earned the City of Eden’s WWTP certification with the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) for two 3-year terms in a row.

In fact, Ward is always looking at different ways to improve the plant, whether it be in terms of safety or operational efficiency. A few years ago, she spearheaded a clarifier rehabilitation project that saw all the weirs and baffles replaced with fiberglass. “When they took the clarifiers down, they fixed everything that needed to be tweaked and adjusted,” she says. “We utilize our help as much as possible. If somebody is working in something, they are going to fix everything they can find before it breaks the next time.”

When Ward first arrived at Eden – the very day her father retired from water and wastewater – the plant, rated at 13.5 mgd, was running at 6 mgd. A year later, the City’s largest industry closed shop and volume was reduced to between 3 and 4 mgd. The team figured out a way to run only half the plant by sending everything through one of the two basins, saving the other for backup during extremely high flows. This allowed maintenance to be performed without bringing the plant offline. “I tried to take advantage of every opportunity I could find,” says Ward. “It’s worked out because the plant has been running really well now – maybe not according to textbook, but we have played with it and figured out what works best. Then when everything is going great, I look for other things to improve.” She is currently working with engineers to find other ways to improve the plant in anticipation of starting even more upgrades.

At the same time, Ward is constantly reading industry literature to keep abreast of the latest innovations and technology. Of course, she also takes advantage of every professional development opportunity. Last year, she even brought her teenage son to the NC AWWA-WEA Annual Conference in Raleigh, carrying on a tradition started by her father so many years ago.

It was more than fitting, then, that her father was in attendance when she received the William D. Hatfield Award from the NC AWWA WEA. “I was fortunate to have a great example,” says Ward. “I could not have chosen a better career.”

Being the board of trustees’ liaison for the Conference Committee is a perfect fit for Chuck Shue. The senior project manager at McKim & Creed, Inc. has ample experience helping the NC AWWA-WEA prepare for the annual conference. “I was always involved with the local arrangement committee, in various tasks,” says Shue, who ramped up his participation with the NC AWWAWEA when he joined the Program Committee. “It gives you a great sense of accomplishment. When the conference is over, you can look back and see all the pieces that fit together.”

After a few years as chair of the Program Committee, he accepted a position as chair of the Annual Conference Coordinating Council, becoming the point person for all committees related to both the annual and spring conferences. “That was an eye-opening experience in terms of what it really takes to put the conferences on,” says Shue. “I knew the volunteer side from the committee work but I didn’t realize everything the staff does to put these events together. There’s a lot to keep up with.” In the fall of 2015, he was asked to join the board of trustees and is currently serving his second mandate.

It was only 10 years ago that Shue became actively engaged in NC AWWA-WEA. At the time, his coworkers at McKim & Creed, including local management, became increasingly involved, and they encouraged him to follow suit. Before then, his involvement had been limited to attending the Annual Conference in order to earn professional development hours (PDHs). “That was an early reason for going,” he explains. Along the way, he began to appreciate the networking opportunities. Over the years, NC AWWA-WEA members from a wide range of consulting firms and utilities have become not only valued colleagues, but also treasured friends. Shue notes that he always looks forward to reconnecting with them once a year at the conference.

“It’s great to learn how and what other people are doing,” he adds. The opportunity to share information and best practices is invaluable to his work in water and wastewater. As his 40-year career has been devoted mainly to consulting, the opportunity to connect with utility professionals is particularly important.

Shue’s decision to become an engineer developed in high school from an interest in structures such as bridges and buildings. Then, during a summer job with HDR while he was completing his civil engineering degree, he realized that structures were not as interesting as he had thought. “I gravitated toward water and sewer,” he says. “I liked it. I saw that there was a real need for it.”

After college he landed a position with HDR, where he had the opportunity to explore various aspects of the industry including odor studies at wastewater treatment plants. In the early 1980s, he did a stint in the utility sector at Spartanburg Waterworks in South Carolina before returning to HDR in 1987. Ten years later he joined McKim & Creed and has been there ever since.

Today, Shue continues to work in water and sewer, focusing mostly on distribution and collection. He specializes in large diameter sewer projects and the design of wastewater systems and pump stations. After four decades in the industry, he is just as enthusiastic about his involvement in the NC AWWA-WEA as he is about his work. “I enjoy the interaction with the other members of NC AWWA-WEA,” he says. “It offers great value to an industry that is devoted to providing people with clean water.”

Outside of work, Shue enjoys spending time with his wife, his three children and his three grandchildren. 

How timely it is for Angela Lee to become chair of the board of trustees just when NC AWWA-WEA is forging ahead with two new bold educational initiatives. A passionate advocate for the Academy and the Institute programs, the chief of operations for Charlotte Water has devoted most of her energy and time as a volunteer to education and training. She spent many years on the Board of Education and Examiners, including a term as chair. She also served with the Collection and Distribution Schools Committee and three terms on the board of trustees. At the same time, she has been a member of the National Collection Systems Committee and the National Program Committee and currently sits on the WEF Collection Systems Symposia.

“I have been involved with education and training for many years,” Lee acknowledges. “So I understand the importance of delivering quality education. As a utility manager, I also understand the importance of receiving that education. I hope I can bring those perspectives to the organization.”

It is a perspective that Lee adopted early in her career. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, she spent two and a half years with the Charlotte Department of Transportation (Storm Water) before joining what was then known as the Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities Department (now Charlotte Water) as Wastewater Administrative Officer in 1990. Immediately, she did two things. She continued working on her master’s degree in Public Administration at UNC Charlotte, and she joined the state’s premiere professional association for water and wastewater. “The director set an expectation that staff would be involved in the NC AWWA-WEA,” explains Lee. “It was part of the culture of our organization and it still is.”

Two years later, when she assumed the position of Water Distribution Superintendent, the NC AWWA-WEA became an invaluable resource for both networking and professional development. “When I became the superintendent, I really saw the benefit in terms of education and training for both me and my staff,” says Lee. She went on to complete her Grade A Certified Water Distribution Operators License and become Operator Responsible in Charge for the water distribution system. It was also around this time that she became involved with the Collection and Distribution Schools, where she has served as the Grade A Coordinator since the mid- 1990s. In recognition of her active role in NC AWWA-WEA, she has received several awards, including the AWWA’s George Warren Fuller Award, WEF’s Arthur Sidney Bedell Award, Raymond “Red” Ebert Award, and Golden Manhole. Lee is also a member of the 5-S Society.

Along with her graduate degree, which she completed in 1995, her experience with the NC AWWA-WEA has played an important role in the advancement of her career and her commitment to training. An important part of her drive for continuous improvement at Charlotte Water has been ensuring that staff is properly cross-trained to provide a variety of repair functions. She has also created full-time valve operations crews and developed water main break procedures to facilitate onsite water quality testing. Other initiatives have included developing asbestos cement pipe repair procedures and upgrading sewer equipment so that crews could be more efficient when cleaning and responding to calls for service.

In 2004, when CMUD combined the water distribution and wastewater collections divisions, Lee was named Field Operations Division Manager for the entire conveyance system, including 300 employees and over 8,000 miles of pipe. Her leadership was instrumental during this challenging period of transition.

It is experience that she is sure to put to good use as she takes on the leadership of the board of trustees at this critical juncture in the history of NC AWWA-WEA. Says Lee: “I am looking forward to leading the organization through this time of transition, and focusing on strategic initiatives such as the Academy and membership engagement.

“As the NC AWWA-WEA improves its training model and moves forward toward fully implementing the Academy and the Institutes, it is going to take volunteers and maybe even a different way of delivering training, using technology as well as resources that are both internal and external to the organization.” She adds that, along with growing the membership, it is also important to keep members engaged and active.

Professionally, her goals include continuing to increase her utility knowledge in order to help Charlotte Water reach its strategic goals. “Utilities across the country have the awesome charge of providing safe drinking water and of protecting the environment,” she notes. “I am very proud to work in an organization that is an industry leader in this field.”

In her leadership role at Charlotte Water and now with the NC AWWA-WEA, Lee is committed to doing her part to make a difference in the industry. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to be able to serve in this role,” she says, referring to her new position as the chair of the board of trustees. “I am honored by the faith the membership has placed in me.”

Greg Morgan is a big believer that, given the opportunity and the training, operators and their crew can work their way up to leadership positions in water and sewer. Having fulfilled that very potential, he brought an important perspective to the task force preceding the launch of the NC AWWA-WEA’s Academy, an initiative that will help provide members of the industry with the skills they need to move up the career ladder.

As for Morgan, he had to do it all on his own. Growing up in Union County, he spent the early years of his life just struggling to get by.  “We didn’t have much,” he recalls. But what he did have was determination.

When Morgan was 15, he fell in love with a 13-year-old girl who would later become his wife.  Because of their family situations, for all  intents and purposes, both teenagers were raising themselves. In fact, just after they started dating, Morgan’s girlfriend also assumed

responsibility for raising her two half-sisters.

At the age of 16, Morgan left high school, finishing his diploma at night so he could work during the day. “A college degree does not define  a person’s capability to succeed if they are given an opportunity,” says Morgan, adding that in the mid-90s construction in the area was

booming. “We had a backhoe on every corner in Union County,” recalls Morgan. The County is adjacent to Charlotte, which, at the time, was  bursting at the seams.

Morgan pinpoints this time as the start of his career. Earning a good wage was doubly important, since he was now helping raise his girlfriend’s two half-sisters as if they were his own. “By the time I was 18, I was putting in water and sewer lines as well as storm drains

for a developer,” he notes, adding that connecting with the County inspector overseeing the work helped open some further opportunities.

In 1999, he married his sweetheart, and that same year, they adopted a child. Their daughter is now 17 years old and thriving, but she needed  special care her first year, including a three-month stay in Hemby Children’s Hospital, and tube feeding for another six months. “That’s what  drove me to join the local government utility for Union County,” explains Morgan. “That gave me a chance to get insurance benefits for my child. I have been truly blessed!”

From 2000 to 2004, he worked his way from an entry level to a crew leader position, responsible for repairing manholes and pump stations. Meanwhile, the ongoing battle of their extended family compelled Morgan, his wife and their three children to move away from Union County and  relocate near Raleigh.

In Raleigh, Morgan went to work for an engineering firm, overseeing rehabilitation projects on sewers across North Carolina. A little less  than two years later, he was offered a position as a field supervisor for Union County. “So we moved back in 2006,” says Morgan, “and I’ve

been with Union County ever since.”

In 2005, the yearly spill summary for Union County’s sewer system was 2.4 million gallons. As of last year, the county was spilling less than  100,000 gallons per year. “I was part of an organizational effort to reduce sanitary sewer spills,” explains Morgan, noting that he earned his Grade 4 Wastewater Collection and Water Distribution, Backflow/Cross Connection certifications along the way. “I’m extremely proud of  being part of the team that reduced the amount of wastewater entering our streams and our environment.” He credits the men and women he works  alongside every day – from engineering, to management, to field staff – for making this happen. They are the same people who helped Union County go from 200 miles to more than 600 miles of sewer lines in the past 15 years.

Morgan notes that the most challenging part of his work revolves around public education, making the public understand the importance of the work that his crew performs each and every day. Becoming involved with the NC AWWA-WEA provided him with some of the tools to address this  challenge.

His first involvement was at the 2007 Annual Conference in Charlotte. It was the first time Morgan led a team in the Operations Challenge. At  the time, the NC AWWA-WEA Annual Conference only included one of the five Challenge events: Collections. That year, the Union County Sewer  Rats won first place. At first, they were excited by the prospect of going to the national competition at the Water Environment Federation  Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC). “Later on we found out that we weren’t going to nationals, because we didn’t have a clue what  the other four events involved,” laughs Morgan. He adds that, even if the team members had been prepared, the NC AWWA-WEA did not have the  funding to send them.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Morgan joined Bob Norris and Billy Allen in working with the then Executive Director, Lindsay Roberts, to develop an Operations Challenge Committee. Together, the four of them also drafted a sponsorship policy, presenting it to the

Board of Trustees for approval.

After Norris retired, Morgan and Allen co-chaired the Operations Challenge Committee, implementing a new event every year until all five were part of the North Carolina event. “Now the board regularly approves funds to send the overall winning team to WEFTEC,” says Morgan, noting that he has also served on the Local Arrangements Committee as the liaison with the Operations Challenge Committee since 2010,

Three years ago, Mike Osborne, then Chair of the NC AWWA-WEA Board of Trustees, called Morgan to ask if he would take part in a task force to look at training gaps. The core group was composed of 10 people from across the state, ranging from public works directors, to engineers, to people like Morgan and T.J. Lynch who started on the front lines and have worked their way from the bottom up.

“The gaps we found included the soft skill training that people like me need to become a supervisor or a leader,” explains Morgan, “in order to take the next step in their career.” The work of the task force led to the development of the Academy, an initiative rolled out in 2015 to better meet the needs of NC AWWA-WEA members and their employers.

While he was serving on the task force, he was approached and asked to consider being on the Board of Trustees. It wasn’t a hard sell. Morgan has a deep appreciation for the role the NC AWWA-WEA has had in his professional development.

“NC AWWA-WEA has enabled me to collaborate with others in this industry, in this state and in this region,” he explains. “Having open lines of communication with folks from all over the state and being able to teach the next generation of operators is very fulfilling.” Morgan is

one of the instructors on support system awareness for the Academy.

Serving his second year as the board’s Professional Wastewater Operators Representative, Morgan continues to be an outspoken voice for men and women like those who work alongside him at the utility. “Without my team, I’m nothing,” says Morgan. “As an industry, we have to create agateway so we can teach the skills that are needed for them to become the leaders of tomorrow.”

He points out that a large segment of the industry’s workforce is set to retire. The industry will always have a huge succession problem unless it is willing to build capacity from within. “If nothing else, my goal is to stand behind these operators, to make sure they are front

and center,” he says. “Whether it’s through the operations challenge or my speaking at a board meeting, and saying this is the training they need, I’ll do everything I can to help bring this training to the table so we can create successful succession plans for our utilities.”

Last year, Morgan and Brian Tripp delivered a presentation on the Academy at the AWWA Regional Meeting of Section Officers in Key Largo, Florida, sharing North Carolina’s experience with representatives from the other states in attendance. “The other states were very surprised that we were willing to take this on,” recalls Morgan. “They were very interested in what we are doing.”

He points out that attendance at the schools put on by the Academy continues to grow. Meanwhile, another part of the task force for the Academy is working on securing accreditation for the courses, something Morgan considers key to the success of this initiative. “Once these two solid footings are built,” he says, “I feel very strongly that the Academy is going to take off. It is already starting to gain some momentum. People are coming from across the state because they see the value in educating their workforce.”

Originally printed in the Fall 2016 issue of NC Currents magazine.

When Leila Goodwin retired from her position as Water Resources Manager with the Town of Cary in September 2015, she left a gap that was hard to fill. “I left at a time when there were some other staff changes,” she recalls. “So I indicated that I would be willing to help out by transitioning and making my institutional memory available.”

That institutional memory and industry experience is considerable, built on a career that started after Goodwin graduated with a Masters in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1985. At the time, she had no idea she would be spending the next 30 years working in water and wastewater.

Applying for a variety of jobs, she accepted a position as a Project Engineer with CH2M Hill (now CH2M) in Gainesville, Florida. “The joke forever afterward was that I interviewed them as much as they interviewed me,” she laughs. “I clicked with the people there and the projects sounded interesting so I took the job.” Because her work mainly revolved around water supply, she became involved in the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

After 10 years in Gainesville, she transferred to the Charlotte office where she began to work very closely with one of the clients, the Town of Cary. Beginning to feel a little “burned out” with consulting, Goodwin was ready for a change. Unbeknownst to her, the Town of Cary was in the process of creating a Water Resources Manager position.

Seeing the posting, she noticed that the description was a perfect match for what she was already doing for them as a consultant. “I told myself that I either need to apply for this or never complain again,” recalls Goodwin.

The position involved planning and regulatory work related to water resource management, including issues of water supply and wastewater treatment. The focus was less on day-to-day operations and more on long-term strategy and the big picture. “Nobody will know if I did my job well until 2020 or 2030,” notes Goodwin, only half-joking. “That’s all a part of working in long-range planning. You don’t immediately see the results of what you spend your time on.”

Because her work included long-term planning for wastewater treatment, she decided to join the Water Environment Federation (WEF). Her participation was overdue. When she was still working for CH2M Hill, one of her Charlotte colleagues was Joe Stowe, an industry legend and a big booster of the NC AWWA-WEA. “He said, you need to get involved,” recalls Goodwin.

When she first started volunteering with the NC AWWA-WEA, there was no Water Resources Committee or a committee that focused on long-range, general water management issues. Instead, she joined the Government Affairs Committee.

Then in 2005, John McLaughlin started a Water Resources Committee and asked Goodwin to join. “I was thrilled that there was finally a committee for what I spend most of my time on,” recalls Goodwin. From vice-chair, she became the chair, at the same time continuing to serve on both Government Affairs and Water Reuse committees. She has also served several times on the Nominating Committee.

Goodwin was instrumental in reviving the Water Resources Committee last year, after it was temporarily disbanded. “We’re planning a portion of an afternoon session at the Annual Conference,” she notes, adding that the committee’s work also supports the Confluence Conference. “Confluence is all about resource planning and management.”

Then, in 2014, Goodwin was appointed by Governor Pat McCrory to the North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority (SWIA), created by the North Carolina General Assembly to assess and make recommendations about the state’s water and wastewater infrastructure needs. “That is one of the highlights of my career,” she says, adding that SWIA consolidates multiple state and federal funding programs for water and wastewater infrastructure under its purview. “Part of our task is to try to streamline and better leverage that funding.”

Over the past two years, the SWIA has modified the point system for assessing applications and tried to cut through some of the red tape. Goodwin notes that she has learned a great deal about how projects are funded as well as how differences in size and geography affect utilities. “What causes utilities to be in a position to need grant funding in order to operate or do a special project?” asks Goodwin.

She has also worked on a small sub-committee, consisting of three of the nine SWIA members, with the goal of creating a master plan for water and sewer for North Carolina. Addressing the need for utilities to become more proactive in managing and financing their systems, the plan will focus on three areas: 1) aging and critical infrastructure; 2) attaining long-term viability; and 3) ensuring utility revenues provide appropriate infrastructure funding levels. Completion of the first draft is expected before the end of this year, after which it will be released for public comment.

Goodwin has also found that being on the SWIA has broadened her interests. Last year, at the NC AWWA-WEA National Conference, newly retired, she went to a session on ‘how to communicate with you board’ to learn how to be more effective in her new volunteer role. She was also able to leverage the leadership training offered to NC AWWA-WEA chairs.

“Now I always have my ears open to what will help further the Authority’s work,” explains Goodwin. “I spoke to Dave Saunders about the Academy and whether there is some collaboration possible.” One of the things the Authority has identified as important is tapping into existing training and education resources rather than trying to create new programs.

There are many organizations with similar goals, notes Goodwin. “What we want to do is to leverage these resources to meet some of the needs we have identified,” she says, adding that these partnerships are still at the exploratory stage. “There is synergy when so many organizations are aiming at the same goals.”

That synergy is something she has experienced on a personal level from her involvement in a broad range of organizations. Along with AWWA and WEF, Goodwin is a member of the American Water Resources Association and the Society of Women Engineers.She also served in a variety of leadership positions for the American Public Works Association. “From a management point of view, being involved in leadership roles for multiple organizations was a real benefit at work,” she reflects.

Since October 2015, however, Goodwin has been ‘mostly’ retired. In her spare time – even as a retiree, she does not have a lot of that – she practices and teaches yoga at a local studio.

As officers of NC AWWA-WEA, we’re always interested to see how people get involved or how we can involve them,” says Brian Tripp, Principal and Vice President at W.K. Dickson & Co., Inc, and the AWWA Director on the NC AWWA-WEA Board of Trustees.

Tripp first became involved with NC AWWA-WEA thanks to the encouragement of his supervisor at his first job as a regulator. He joined the Young Professionals Committee of the South Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association, and shortly thereafter, the NC AWWA-WEA YP Committee, ultimately serving as chair for each.

Then in November 2010, he joined the NC AWWA-WEA board. “I would call the trustee role a learning position by which you learn about what the board does and, in greater detail, what the NC AWWA-WEA does,” says Tripp. “If you see the value in it, hopefully you take the next step and get more involved.”

Aspects of his involvement that he has enjoyed include the many opportunities for leadership, public speaking, education, and networking. “Getting to know the people in the industry provides a value that’s hard to measure,” says Tripp. “To be able to give back in a profession that you enjoy is highly gratifying.”

Long before becoming a civil and environmental engineer, he knew that his life’s work would involve preserving the environment. Growing up in Philadelphia, he naturally gravitated to the outdoors, spending many hours hiking and camping. So when his first three semesters of the co-op program at Clemson University had him cooped up in a chemical process plant, he knew he had to make a change. Tripp transferred from chemical to bio-systems engineering and never turned back.

“After completing his undergraduate degree, he went to work for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC). In the evenings, he started working on a masters in civil and environmental engineering from the University of South Carolina – Columbia. “When I started the distance learning program, I had to pick up VHS tapes at the local library,” recalls Tripp. “By the last year, I was downloading content on my home computer.”

During the years he was pursuing his masters degree, technology in environmental management was also evolving, along with the laws and regulations governing the industry. As a district engineer at SC DHEC, Tripp handled the permitting for water and wastewater systems as well as drinking and wastewater compliance issues. Other areas within his purview included stormwater, earthen dam safety, and the Savannah River Site, which consisted of five decommissioned nuclear reactors.

“I really enjoyed what I did as a regulator,” says Tripp, noting that working at SC DHEC provided exposure to a wide variety of areas he might not have otherwise experienced. “But I got into engineering because I really wanted to design things.” So three years after starting with the regulatory agency, he made the transition to consulting engineering. Then in 2004, he accepted a position as project manager with W.K. Dickson.

A few years later, the company’s leaders asked Tripp to run their Hickory operation but, when the economy contracted in 2008, they tapped him to reboot the water and sewer group in Charlotte. Today, he runs both the Charlotte and the Hickory offices, managing diverse groups involved in site development, aviation, natural gas, and watershed sciences (stream restoration and high-end stormwater work for municipal clients).

Along with his managerial duties, he is still involved in assisting clients with problem-solving around water and wastewater issues. “My love and passion is still in water and wastewater,” explains Tripp, who continues to work as a senior project manager in W. K. Dickson’s water and sewer practice.

One of the most rewarding projects he has tackled lately involved a feasibility study with Rutherford County, evaluating the impact of consolidating sewer service for the towns and communities within its boundaries (see “Making the Case for Consolidation” in NC Currents, Spring 2016, pages 50-52). “It’s gratifying to see that the County is taking the incremental steps and the roadmap that we planned out, in the best interest of the County, the constituents, the citizens, and the environment,” says Tripp.

He is pleased to be able to share this information with other members of NC AWWA-WEA. Over the past few years he has also been heavily involved with the NC Safewater Endowment Committee as the scholarship selection coordinator. He recently started a 3-year term on the national AWWA Finance Committee and is looking forward to serving in that capacity.

Despite a busy schedule – and three children under the age of six – Tripp will continue volunteering with NC AWWA-WEA, including serving on the Endowment Committee. “We need to continue drawing people to our industry, particularly on the operations side,” he says. “We seem to have fewer and fewer people entering the ranks, so it’s important that we fund education for those who want to do this important work.”

Brian Tripp is a member of the Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers (5S) . He was also awarded the WEASC Engineer of the Year Award in 2008

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,”

As a project manager, Highfill Infrastructure Engineering’s Ray Cox knows the importance of adjusting course. When working on a project, his first step involves understanding the parameters and objectives from all stakeholder perspectives. Then, he visualizes the finished product and plans a course to reach the final goal. “As conditions or circumstances change – and they often do with aging infrastructure – you adjust the course,” he explains. “The key is to stay focused on the end product and to take active steps toward it, not allowing distractions and other influences to cause you to stray off course.”

His approach to project management is an apt metaphor for his own life, including a career that features a decisive change in course, followed by an unflinching focus on developing his expertise as a consultant in the water and wastewater industry. After graduating from North Carolina State University in 1993, with a bachelor’s degree in biological and agricultural engineering, Cox worked for five years in various wastewater-related permitting jobs for what is now the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Part of his work involved serving on the first team to develop the Environmental Permit Information Center (EPIC), which evolved into DEQ’s Customer Service and One-Stop Permitting programs.

While he was at NC DEQ, his supervisor, Carolyn Underwood, encouraged him to attend the NC AWWA-WEA Annual Conference. “That was my first exposure to the industry and the beginning of my affinity for it,” recalls Cox. “It became evident to me, relatively quickly, that consulting was the proper fit.”

He continued to develop his project management and regulatory expertise with a couple of consulting firms over the next seven years. During that period, in 1998, the senior vice president of W.K Dickson, David Pond, encouraged Cox to become a member of both the Professional Engineers of North Carolina (PENC) and the NC AWWA-WEA.  Over the years, he served PENC in various local chapter officer and state-level committee roles, eventually joining the board of trustees and serving as president in 2007.

At the same time, he became actively involved with the NC AWWA-WEA. “I joined a committee and began to teach at some of the schools,” he recalls. “I was quickly exposed to a wealth of leadership development opportunities, and opportunities to collaborate with some of the best and brightest water industry and engineering professionals in the country.”

As his exposure grew, so did his passion for the industry. In 2005, Cox decided to join Tyler Highfill at his newly founded company, Highfill Infrastructure Engineering. “I purchased shares and began work as a vice-president and owner,” he recalls. “That has been the single best career decision of my life.”

Since then, Cox has continued to be actively involved in the NC AWWA-WEA. He has served as member and chair for both the Reuse and the Endowment committees, and has been part of the Distribution and Collection Schools Committee as a member and instructor. Currently the vice-chair of the NC AWWA-WEA board of trustees, he is scheduled to fulfill the position of chair in 2018. “I am honored and humbled that my peers see me as a leader in the industry and have entrusted this responsibility to me,” says Cox. “I am grateful to serve on the board of trustees with an impressive group of leaders from across North Carolina.”

He sees his involvement with the board as instrumental in the development of his own leadership skills, encompassing traits that make him an effective project manager. These include being a good listener; being organized, timely, and decisive; having empathy for all parties (client, project team, regulators, other stakeholders); and being able to communicate effectively.

Cox notes that his participation in NC AWWA-WEA has also afforded him the opportunity to build strong relationships with decision makers throughout the industry. This has resulted not only in many business opportunities, but also in a strong sense of community with other people working in water and wastewater. “The most active members of NC AWWA-WEA are like a very big family,” confirms Cox, adding that he believes that relationships built on trust are the key to being successful in business – and in life.

After starting in the water industry, Cox started pursuing another passion: playing the guitar. Learning to play in his late 20s, his talent and interest grew until five or so years ago he began performing professionally. “Music is such a powerful medium,” he says. “I love the way it can lift people’s spirits and make them want to move. Being able to help set up the ambience for people to enjoy themselves for a few minutes is such a rewarding experience. I played once on the back of the USS North Carolina battleship, which is permanently docked in Wilmington. That was probably the coolest setting for a gig to date. The fact that I was performing for a group of water industry professionals made it that much more special to me.”

Just as special has been the opportunity to perform his music at the past several NC AWWA-WEA conferences. “Having the opportunity to perform for peers whom I hold in high esteem is quite gratifying,” says Cox. Along with entertaining participants at the Annual Conference, he has also played for the Spring Conference held in the city of Wilmington, where he lives with his wife Heidi – also an engineer – their daughter, Marlee (nine), and their son, Miller (13).

Their home in Wilmington is about 10 minutes from several area beaches. “I grew up on the water in Bath, NC,” says Cox, “and I think it “gets in your blood,” so to speak. For us, the beach offers an opportunity to relax for a bit and enjoy God’s creation.” The family loves the beach so much that, when they go on vacation, they leave “their” beach for another beach or a coastal locale. As Cox begins to consider what he calls the “sunset of his career,” he hopes to adjust his course once again to including surfing and island dwelling. Until then, he’ll be busy doing his part in the water and wastewater industry, helping to preserve the integrity of the very environment he loves the most.

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

One of Robert Massengill’s proudest accomplishments since joining the City of Raleigh in 2003 is the implementation of the Urban Main Replacement Reimbursement Program. Now the director of public utilities, he was still in the role of assistant public utilities director when he spearheaded the development of a policy that would reimburse developers for replacing aging