The Tarheel Pipeline, Fall 2015

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Fall 2015 3
from the executive director
1977 was a year of notable events in
our nation. In January, Jimmy Carter
succeeded Gerald Ford as the 39th
President. In that same month, Apple
Computers was incorporated and
introduced the world’s first personal
computer, the Commodore PET at an
electronics show in Chicago. Sadly in
August of that year, the King of Rock
‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, passed away.
Closer to home, the organization affectionately known today as Rural
Water or NCRWA was taking roots and beginning to grow. Early in
1977, Ronald McGrady, a young manager with Mulberry-Fairplains
Water in Wilkes a County, received a letter encouraging membership
and attendance at the very first Annual Conference. Interested to
learn more and get involved, Mr. McGrady attended the event and
departed afterwards having been elected to the NCRWA Board
of Directors.
After more than 37 years of service, Mr. McGrady retired from
our Board in January 2015. On paper, his service to Rural Water
includes consecutive terms as President from 1997 to 1999 and
nearly 2 decades of service as Treasurer leading up to his retirement.
However, his legacy extends far past titles listed in minutes and on
websites. Ron, as we know him, was the voice of wisdom and reason
on our Board. When he spoke, everyone listened. His conservative
financial leadership and continual focus on the mission of serving the
systems in North Carolina kept us grounded and led to the reputation,
success, and sustainability of today’s Rural Water.
Mr. McGrady retired from our Board in a manner that exemplified
his selfless nature. In this short email to the NCRWA President, he
provided his closing remarks to a career of service.
Article continued on pg. 4
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 Rider:
Keith Buff, UMC, 336-309-9363,
Circuit Rider:
Mike Hill, UMC, 919-812-6088,
Circuit Rider:
Becky Turner, 919-812-5744,
Circuit Rider:
Marty Wilson, UMC, 919-745-7968,
Training Division Leader:
Alan Oldham, UMC, 919-812-4513,
Water Training & Technical Assistance:
Lowell Gunter, 919-812-0568,
Wastewater Training & Technical Assistance:
Dwight Lancaster, UMC, 919-812-2717,
Wastewater Training & Technical Assistance:
Fred Summers, UMC, 919-812-5119,
Backflow & Cross Connection Training Specialist:
Ronnie West, 919-812-2940,
Training Specialist:
Mandy Hall, 919-812-1191,
Training Specialist
Joe Holden, 336-337-0697,
Training Specialist
Mac Merritt, 336-590-2020 ,
Source Water Division Leader:
Brian Grogan, UMC, 336-309-6529,
Source Water Protection Specialist:
Debbie Maner, 919-812-5500,
Source Water Protection Specialist:
Alicia Melton, UMC, 919-812-2008,
Finance & Human Resources Manager:
Sharon Lookabill, 336-731-6963,
Member Services Manager:
Amy Everett, CAE, 336-731-6963,
Member Services Coordinator:
Jamie Walker, 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.