Message from the Chair

SENTRAL STATES SELECT SOCIETY OF SANITARY SLUDGE SHOVELERS!

By Tom Romza

At this year’s Annual Meeting, I had the incredible honor of being inducted into the 7S Society, alongside my fellow IL inductee, Natalie Cook. It was a complete surprise and a privilege that I do not take lightly. Earning the 7S Shovel is something I’ve aspired to since becoming active in CSWEA about eight years ago. I was fortunate to have a boss (shout-out to Matt Streicher!) who was already a 7S member and encouraged me to get involved. That encouragement led me to chair the Illinois Collections Committee and compete on the CSWEA Ops Challenge Team. Thank you, Matt, for your support and mentorship.

For those who don’t know me, I’ve spent my entire life in the “central states.” I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and eventually attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, where I earned degrees in both Physics and Civil Engineering. It took me five years – but not in a traditional “victory lap” sense, that fifth year was packed with 18-credit semesters full of design courses. I have been back in Illinois since 2011 and am raising my family in the Burbs. HOWEVER, I miss Milwaukee... one of the most underrated cities in the country! After graduating in 2011, I was lucky to land a position with RJN Group. I started in June and quickly fell in love with the industry – consulting for communities, solving the often-overlooked challenges of underground infrastructure, and pushing the boundaries of technology in our field. I took a few years from late 2018 to 2022 to join a utility and garnered more respect for the public sector and the difficulties of managing a limited budget with unlimited things to do. Ultimately, I returned to RJN in 2022... I missed my clients!

Getting involved with CSWEA has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my 14-year career. From Annual Meetings and YP events (I aged out a few years ago, sadly, but still show up when they let the “old folks” hang around!) to the Ed Seminar and the Ops Challenge, the people in CSWEA are generous with their time and knowledge. Having a network of professionals to collaborate with and bounce ideas off of is truly invaluable. Shout out the 2025 Annual Meeting speakers for giving some incredible and insightful talks! This year, I’m proud to serve as the Illinois Section Chair. I take this responsibility seriously and am committed to encouraging engagement, especially among younger professionals. Our industry is facing a significant generational shift, with many experienced leaders retiring or ramping down. While it’s daunting to step into the shoes of such impactful individuals, I’m excited to see how the next generation will rise to the occasion and shape the future of our field. If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved in CSWEA, now is the time. Whether you’re just starting your career or have years of experience, your voice, energy, and ideas are needed. Join a committee, attend an event, volunteer your time – there are countless ways to contribute, and you will not regret it! The future of our industry depends on passionate professionals stepping up, sharing knowledge, and shaping what comes next. Let’s keep the momentum off the Annual Meeting and build a stronger, more sustainable future for Illinois and the great Sentral States!
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