The Tarheel Pipeline, Spring 2016

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Spring 2016 3
from the executive director
Each February, North Carolina Rural
Water Association (NCRWA), in a
concerted effort with our 48 fellow
State Rural Water Associations, travel
to Washington DC for the annual Rural
Water Rally. The Rally is considered by
many to be the “kick-off” to our year of
work with Congress, and it is a renewing
of relationships each year between
our members and their Congressional
delegation. This year’s Rally was an
extraordinary example of the impact Rural Water has when we address
our lawmakers with combined voices and a unified message.
While Rally is a rewarding experience for all involved, make no
mistake; walking the halls of Congress is no day in the park. This
year (similar to past years), NCRWA coordinated groups of our System
Members from each of the 13 U.S. House of Representative Districts
in the state to make the trip. Then each group normally leaves on Day
1 and carpools to the selected hotel (typically a 6 to 7 hour trip). From
there, we have an evening meeting to orient the group for the next
day’s Congressional Office Visits. We normally team up attendees
from 5 Congressional Districts for each of the 3 days of visits so that
all 15 offices, including the 2 Senate Offices, are covered during the
trip. So each team visits 5 offices during their day on Capitol Hill.
From there, it is off to dinner and then to bed.
Day 2 of a group’s visit to Washington DC begins with a 5:00 AM
wake-up call as we meet for breakfast in the hotel at 6:30 AM sharp.
We then depart for the Metro (subway) station at 7:10 AM and catch
the 7:54 AM Metro into Capitol Hill. After the hour ride on the Metro,
we then walk a few blocks to the House or Senate Office Buildings,
go through security (much like the airport) and begin our day of visits.
Our first visit is typically around 9:30 AM with each subsequent
meeting beginning about an hour later. The meetings typically last
around 45 minutes, and then, it is a fast-paced walk to make the next
NCRWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Barry Sutton, Eastern Pines Water Corporation
Sr. Vice President: Keith Hoilman, Town of Newland
Vice President: Sam Call, Town of Wilkesboro
Secretary: Dean Gaster, City of Dunn
Treasurer & Immediate Past President:
Neil Carpenter, Maggie Valley Sanitary District
Director: Macon Robertson, Warran County Water Department
Director: Wilmer Melton, City of Kannapolis
Director: Jay Gibson, Town of Franklin
Director: Rod Watts, Energy United Water Corporation
Director: Joey Threewitts, Wayne Water District
Director: Lisa Smith-Perri, West Carteret Water Corporation
Director: Kenny Keel, PE, Town of Hillsborough
Director: Todd Taylor, PE, Orange Water & Sewer Authority
Director: Johnny Spencer, Tyrell County Water
Director: Maria Hunnicutt, Broad River Water Authority
NCRWA STAFF
Executive Director:
Daniel Wilson, PE, CAE, UMC, 336-731-6963,
Technical Assistance Division Leader:
Al Slover, UMC, 919-812-5115,
Circuit Riders:
Keith Buff, UMC, 336-309-9363,
Mike Hill, UMC, 919-812-6088,
Becky Turner, 919-812-5744,
Marty Wilson, UMC, 919-745-7968,
John Woods, Training Specialist, 919-812-0568
Wastewater Training & Technical Assistance:
Dwight Lancaster, UMC, 919-812-2717,
Fred Summers, UMC, 919-812-5119,
Training Division Leader:
Alan Oldham, UMC, 919-812-4513,
Backflow & Cross Connection Training Specialists:
Thomas Tucker, 336-247-6470,
Mac Merritt, 336-590-2020,
Ronnie West, 919-812-2940,
Training Specialists:
Mandy Hall, 919-812-1191,
Joe Holden, 336-337-0697 ,
John Woods, Training Specialist, 919-812-0568
Source Water Division Leader:
Brian Grogan, UMC, 336-309-6529,
Source Water Protection Specialists:
Debbie Maner, 919-812-5500,
Alicia Melton, UMC, 919-812-2008,
Finance & Human Resources Manager:
Sharon Lookabill, 336-731-6963,
Member Services Manager:
Jamie Walker, 336-731-6963,
Communications Coordinator:
Kelly Coggins, 336-731-6963,
Member Services:
Julie Whittington, 336-731-6963,
The Tarheel Pipeline® is the official publication of North Carolina Rural WaterAssociation, Inc.®
(NCRWA) and is published quarterly for distribution to members of theAssociation as well as other
representatives of rural and municipal water and wastewater systems. The publisher reserves the right to
reject or edit any submittals received for publication. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility
of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion or recommendation on the part of NCRWA. Mention of
trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsements or recommendation for use.