The Tarheel Pipeline, Winter 2015

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Winter 2015 3
from the executive director
“This year, I’m going to eat healthier, go
to the gym more, get in the bed earlier,
save more money, spend more time with
my family, take up an old hobby again,
reduce my stress, and read my Bible
more.” There you have it; there is my
life-long list of New Year’s resolutions all
in one sentence. All I need to do now is
check the boxes, scratch them off my list,
and my life will be in order.
If it was only that easy! Being honest with
myself, I would have a better chance of
pushing a log chain up a hill than sticking to all of those for more than
two days. However, I do believe in setting goals for life, and I also believe
in being realistic. So this year, I want to work on a few areas of myself that
affect my life at NCRWA and home. These are far from being New Year’s
Resolutions, and they each came from feedback from others so here’s
what I hope to work on moving forward.
“Never forget where you came from.” This simple statement is written
on yellow sticky note on my desk from a conversation with a system
manager last year. It was not stated in a derogatory tone but was a simple
reminder to be the representative of the industry that raised me. I entered
this industry just after turning 20 years old and have done everything from
scraping bar racks at a wastewater plant to chiseling asphalt from manhole
inverts to killing black widows as I read water meters to being knee deep
in the mud fixing water leaks at 2 AM in February. Sure, I have had the
good days as well, but I know the both the joy and the sorrow that comes
with operating and managing a system. Now given the opportunity to
serve this industry, my greatest focus is to never forget that it just doesn’t
happen, thousands of men and women make it happen every single day.
“Remember that other people’s time is just as important as yours.” If you
have ever worked around me, you quickly realize that it’s less about the
clock and more about the moment. As a result, I am habitually late for
nearly everything. Not because I get up late or get stuck in traffic, but
rather because I still have an obsession with trying to pack more into each
day than is feasible or possible. Moving forward, I plan to make a diligent
effort to be where I am supposed to be on time out of respect for others.
“God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason.” One of my greatest
strengths is my ability to speak. One of my greatest weaknesses is also
my ability to speak. I am a talker, my dad is a talker, and my grandmother,
well neither of us could get a word in if she was in the room. However, a
key to interpersonal relationships is not talking, it is listening. I hope to
spend more time listening to what the people around me are saying and
less time thinking of how I’m going to respond.
While I refuse to call them resolutions, I will strive to improve in each
area. I also know that each of these is a key to effective leadership so
improving will yield results. 2016 is going to be a great year at Rural
Water, and I hope that each of you can find your own ways to improve and
perform at a higher level in 2016. We are always here to assist with your
training and support needs so please contact us any time.
Sincerely,
Daniel Wilson, PE, CAE, UMC
Executive Director, NCRWA
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,
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,
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:
Gail Anderson, 336-731-6963,
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.