Before laying out some of the core aspects of my vision for NACWA over the coming year, let me begin by thanking OJ McFoy for his leadership. OJ, as well as my fellow Officers and Board Members, handed me an association that is in a strong position because of their tireless commitment to NACWA and the water sector. I appreciate OJ and NACWA’s leadership and members – you are all true superheroes!
As we look not just to the coming year but to the next 50 years under the Clean Water Act, the future is a bright one because all of you and the leaders you are developing will step up to help guide NACWA’s ongoing efforts to shape the policy landscape on water.
I want to briefly share what I truly believe makes NACWA so special and what will be the core of my vision for success in the coming year:
- NACWA is “THE PLACE” for clean water utility leaders to share practical and pragmatic approaches for turning challenges into opportunities.
- NACWA is the network for all utility leaders, the savvy veterans but also the wave of new and incoming leaders taking over as retirements and other growth opportunities expand.
- NACWA is uniquely positioned to find the solutions of today and the innovations of tomorrow for what I believe are the thorniest challenges we face. These include supply chain pressures; operational response; climate change and resulting weather impacts; social change in the workforce; the role of utilities in our communities; and determining the appropriate role of Artificial Intelligence and other technology advancements within the water sector.
Complex challenges will always be central to NACWA’s advocacy work and we will continue to address these aggressively. At this year’s Utility Leadership Conference in Buffalo, New York, it was clear to me that the consequences of failure to respond strategically and impactfully to our shared challenges as a sector have never been greater. However, the dialogue in Buffalo also made it clear that we are up to the task.
Thank you all for the opportunity to serve as your President this coming year.
The NACWA staff and I look forward to working with you to amplify the voice of clean water utilities nationwide. We welcome your ideas for how we can serve you better. I am excited for what the future holds as we harness the power of our sector’s collective voice and elevate clean water to new heights!
