Drag someone along!
I have always looked at life as a passport booklet getting my book stamped from every turn my career takes me. It's kind of like visiting all the countries at EPCOT and getting your passport stamped as you pass through the park. This year I received a stamp of approval to become the Section Chair for the Wisconsin Section of Central States. I am honored to have been handed the gavel in Madison in May 2010. The Section is in great shape thanks to the leadership of Jim Beier and the continued dedication of David Arnott to keep us on an even and consistent keel. Our other assets are the membership and the committees that we have. We continue to provide excellent programs throughout the year for our members and colleagues.
My theme for the next year is "Drag someone along". Ten short years ago someone dragged me along to a CSWEA annual meeting and today I am the Chair. I have met many great people in the industry in the past ten years and continue to meet a select group of dedicated professionals who have shaped and molded our section to what it is today.
Summer is finally here and seems shorter every year. While the economy is slowly recovering, we are facing issues of phosphorus, arsenic, SSO's and more mandates from our regulators. Where will it all end? One thing is for sure, we will all be a lot smarter when we are done with the process of dealing with the legal aspects of wastewater treatment.
The annual meeting in Madison at Monona Terrace was a great event. The local arrangements committee did an excellent job despite cool weather. David Arnott ran the Wisconsin State Section breakfast meeting and did an admirable job. Special thanks to outgoing chairperson Jim Beier who infused his energy into the section over the course of the past year. The technical program was interesting and covered the gamut of many projects and issues we are dealing with in our industry. Special thanks to the exhibitors as well who showed me several interesting new products that are available to help our industry move into the next decade.
The CSWEA CSX-YPX event is scheduled for July 15 and 16 in the Wisconsin Dells at the Kalahari Resort. We hope to see you and your family there for some fresh ideas about our future and a relaxing inner tube float on the lazy river. WEFTEC is New Orleans October 2 - 6 for any of you fortunate enough to attend.
In keeping with our theme for 2010, when you plan to attend your next technical seminar offered by CSWEA remember to "drag someone along". For many of us we will be handing the reigns of our careers and service work to a younger member of our profession in a shorter time frame than you might think. It is important to keep an enthusiastic perspective with our younger members as our future is in their hands.
