Hey everyone, we are Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley aka the H2duO. Thank you for joining us for the very first episode of Water in Real Life. Every Monday, we’ll be releasing a new episode. Our content will shift between interviews with thought leaders from inside and outside of the water industry, to solo shows or rather, conversations between Arianne and I that will highlight a resource we feel will benefit you as you work to tell your story to your customers.  Our first nine episodes will be interviews with the speakers from Catalyst. Catalyst is a mastermind summit we are co-hosting with the San Antonio Water System, the Texas section of the American Water Works Association, and the Water Environment Association of Texas. The event will take place June 20-22, 2018 in San Antonio. The speaker lineup is diverse and includes well known water rockstars like George Hawkins, former general manager at DC Water, now founder of his own company Moonshot. We’ll also be chatting with thought leaders from the marketing industry, film, and the academia world. To fit everyone in prior to the summit, we’ll be releasing two episodes a week, one on Monday and one on Wednesday. In July, we’ll begin with our regularly scheduled weekly releases that will hit iTunes or your podcast player of choice every Monday.  In case you’re wondering “who are the H2duO” that would be me and Arianne. We both worked for municipal water utilities for ten years before we made the difficult decision to leave behind the jobs we loved and forge our own path in the industry. We’ve seen first hand the power of building relationships in the communities we serve and we measure this impact in stories.  We’re both passionate about the men and women that serve their communities in water utilities. Arianne and I share similar origin stories that include being inspired by the hard work they put in daily to ensure public health. Be sure to check out our stories and see how they compare to your own water story.  We encourage you to follow us on Twitter @THE_H2duO and Instagram the_h2duo. We believe in open source knowledge and we love to share the people, places, and resources that inspire, instruct, and incite us to action. To be a part of this sharing of knowledge, please subscribe to our mailing list.

Hey everyone, we are Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley aka the H2duO. Thank you for joining us for the very first episode of Water in Real Life. Every Monday, we’ll be releasing a new episode. Our content will shift between interviews with thought leaders from inside and outside of the water industry, to solo shows or rather, conversations between Arianne and I that will highlight a resource we feel will benefit you as you work to tell your story to your customers. Our first nine episodes will be interviews with the speakers from Catalyst. Catalyst is a mastermind summit we are co-hosting with the San Antonio Water System, the Texas section of the American Water Works Association, and the Water Environment Association of Texas. The event will take place June 20-22, 2018 in San Antonio. The speaker lineup is diverse and includes well known water rockstars like George Hawkins, former general manager at DC Water, now founder of his own company Moonshot. We’ll also be chatting with thought leaders from the marketing industry, film, and the academia world. To fit everyone in prior to the summit, we’ll be releasing two episodes a week, one on Monday and one on Wednesday. In July, we’ll begin with our regularly scheduled weekly releases that will hit iTunes or your podcast player of choice every Monday. In case you’re wondering “who are the H2duO” that would be me and Arianne. We both worked for municipal water utilities for ten years before we made the difficult decision to leave behind the jobs we loved and forge our own path in the industry. We’ve seen first hand the power of building relationships in the communities we serve and we measure this impact in stories. We’re both passionate about the men and women that serve their communities in water utilities. Arianne and I share similar origin stories that include being inspired by the hard work they put in daily to ensure public health. Be sure to check out our stories and see how they compare to your own water story. We encourage you to follow us on Twitter @THE_H2duO and Instagram the_h2duo. We believe in open source knowledge and we love to share the people, places, and resources that inspire, instruct, and incite us to action. To be a part of this sharing of knowledge, please subscribe to our mailing list.

000: Introducing the Water In Real Life Podcast with The H2duO

Tom Ferguson

Tom Ferguson is the Vice President of Programming for Imagine H2O, a nonprofit organization empowering people to deploy and develop innovation to solve water challenges globally. Imagine H2O’s accelerator program picks 12 startup companies for over 200 applications from 36 countries. The chosen accelerator companies receive customer validation, industry visibility, investor access and mentorship opportunities.  Three Key Points:  Communication is incredibly important to the vitality of the water industry in today’s environment. It’s ok to have fun with water. How a little bit of irreverence, showing you have personality and can have fun, can be a differentiating factor that allows you to cut through the noise. A colorful elevator pitch for the value of water.  Check out Imagine H2O and learn about the twelve companies currently in the accelerator program that are truly changing the world of water. If you have the opportunity, consider attending the Imagine H2O Innovation Forum and Gala in 2019. Sign up to receive updates here. Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” iTunesSubscribe on AndroidSoundCloudStitcherGoogle PlayDownloadShare    Leave a ReviewClammr ItListen in a New WindowSubscribe via RSSDownload Free eBookAnother Call to ActionOne More Call to Action

Tom Ferguson is the Vice President of Programming for<a href="https://twitter.com/ImagineH2O" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Imagine H2O</a>, a nonprofit organization empowering people to deploy and develop innovation to solve water challenges globally. <a href="https://medium.com/imagineh2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Imagine H2O’s</a> accelerator program picks 12 startup companies for over 200 applications from 36 countries. The chosen accelerator companies receive customer validation, industry visibility, investor access and mentorship opportunities. Three Key Points: <ol> <li>Communication is incredibly important to the vitality of the water industry in today’s environment.</li> <li>It’s ok to have fun with water. How a little bit of irreverence, showing you have personality and can have fun, can be a differentiating factor that allows you to cut through the noise.</li> <li>A colorful elevator pitch for the value of water.</li> </ol> Check out<a href="https://www.imagineh2o.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Imagine H2O </a>and learn about the twelve companies currently in the accelerator program that are truly changing the world of water. If you have the opportunity, consider attending the Imagine H2O Innovation Forum and Gala in 2019. Sign up to receive updates <a href="https://www.imagineh2o.org/sign-up" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/water-in-real-life/id1392642096?ls=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a><a href="http://subscribeonandroid.com/www.theh2duo.com/feed/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe on Android</a><a href="https://soundcloud.com/waterinreallife" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a><a href="http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=191909&amp;refid=stpr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a><a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iq2x4vs5sq52s4d2luwlyggulnu?t=Water_In_Real_Life" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Google Play</a><a href="http://origin1.podcastwebsites.com/1471/1235/1533/s01e001TomFergusonFINAL.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download</a><a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Share</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.theh2duo.com/001-catalyst-mastermind-speaker-series-tom-ferguson/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/share?text=001%3A+Catalyst+Mastermind+Speaker+Series+Tom+Ferguson -&amp;url=https://www.theh2duo.com/001-catalyst-mastermind-speaker-series-tom-ferguson/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.theh2duo.com/001-catalyst-mastermind-speaker-series-tom-ferguson/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1392642096" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leave a Review</a><a>Clammr It</a><a>Listen in a New Window</a><a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/feed/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe via RSS</a><a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download Free eBook</a><a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Another Call to Action</a><a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">One More Call to Action</a>

001: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Tom Ferguson

Travis Loop

Travis Loop is the Director of Communication and Public Outreach for the Water Environment Federation. Professionally, he has nearly 20 years of experience in media and communications. Travis is the host of the WEF Words On Water podcast. He previously served as Director of Communications for the Office of Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and as the speechwriter and a communications manager for the Governor of Hawaii. Aloha!!  Travis also worked for eight years in the media as a newspaper reporter and editor in North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; and Hawaii. Three Key Points:  Allowing others to tell our story adds credibility to the story we tell about ourselves. Whether it’s crafting the content of your messaging or in media training, keeping a laser focus on what information your audience wants to hear is key. Write for them, not for you. This industry can be stressful. Channel your inner duck–let it just roll off your back and just keep paddling forward.   Resources Mentioned: Words on Water Podcast Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do By: Wallace J. Nichols Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

Travis Loop is the Director of Communication and Public Outreach for the Water Environment Federation. Professionally, he has nearly 20 years of experience in media and communications. Travis is the host of the WEF Words On Water podcast. He previously served as Director of Communications for the Office of Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and as the speechwriter and a communications manager for the Governor of Hawaii. Aloha!!  Travis also worked for eight years in the media as a newspaper reporter and editor in North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; and Hawaii. Three Key Points: <ol> <li>Allowing others to tell our story adds credibility to the story we tell about ourselves.</li> <li>Whether it’s crafting the content of your messaging or in media training, keeping a laser focus on what information your audience wants to hear is key. Write for them, not for you.</li> <li>This industry can be stressful. Channel your inner duck–let it just roll off your back and just keep paddling forward. </li> </ol> Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://wordsonwaterwef.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Words on Water Podcast</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316252115/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0316252115&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=002190cabe9152c53d40dee882ef2bac" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do </a>By: Wallace J. Nichols Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us<a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> @THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

002: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Travis Loop

Greg Wukasch

Since 1998, Greg Wukasch has worked in the External Affairs Department with the San Antonio Water System, beginning as an Education Coordinator and now as the External Affairs Manager. Greg really considers himself more of a “story teller” putting together water stories for citizens across the city he loves. When not talking H2O, this self-professed water nerd also enjoys talking strategic planning and corporate culture.   Greg and his team have developed impactful programs that have continued to create community between SAWS and the community it serves. These programs include the high school education program Impact.   Three Key Points:  The whirlwind is never going to go away. The key is to find the tools to manage it to stay laser focused and on mission. We accomplish more when we break down the silo mindset of departments i.e. engineering, education, customer service, etc.  Mentorship is not about just smiling and nodding. Real mentors aren’t afraid to have the tough conversations and will challenge you to be the better you every day.   Resources Mentioned: Good to Great by Jim Collins The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business by Patrick Lencioni The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will add value to my readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Since 1998, Greg Wukasch has worked in the External Affairs Department with the San Antonio Water System, beginning as an Education Coordinator and now as the External Affairs Manager. Greg really considers himself more of a “story teller” putting together water stories for citizens across the city he loves. When not talking H2O, this self-professed water nerd also enjoys talking strategic planning and corporate culture.   Greg and his team have developed impactful programs that have continued to create community between SAWS and the community it serves. These programs include the high school education program Impact.   Three Key Points: <ol> <li>The whirlwind is never going to go away. The key is to find the tools to manage it to stay laser focused and on mission.</li> <li>We accomplish more when we break down the silo mindset of departments i.e. engineering, education, customer service, etc. </li> <li>Mentorship is not about just smiling and nodding. Real mentors aren’t afraid to have the tough conversations and will challenge you to be the better you every day. </li> </ol> Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0066620996/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0066620996&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=ea35afe2363e1de63143338d89adb167" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Good to Great</a> by Jim Collins <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470941529/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0470941529&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=4782e54239761417509e92ca459bb6e5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business</a> by Patrick Lencioni <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451627068/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1451627068&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=6b389f6200649c447dc55ba38f383049" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The 4 Disciplines of Execution</a> by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will add value to my readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

003: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Greg Wukasch

Duke Greenhill

Duke Greenhill has nearly 20 years of success as a global marketer, a widely published thought leader, and an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. He has held senior positions at some of the world’s most respected agencies in Manhattan and Washington, DC, and he founded Greenhill+Partners, a Manhattan-based boutique consultancy specializing in brand storytelling and luxury brands. He has worked with some of the world’s most respected organizations, too, including Levi Strauss &amp; Co. (Dockers), Chanel, Adidas, MasterCard, Red Bull, Tiffany &amp; Co., Ritz-Carlton, Ameriprise Financial, L’Oreal, the Government of Monaco and more.  As a widely published thought leader, Duke has written numerous articles on business and marketing for The New York Times, The Telegraph (U.K.), Fast Company, Inc., Entrepreneur, the Harvard Review and others. Duke has been honored to receive numerous industry accolades and ranks his graduate Academy Award nomination chief among them. He has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MFA with honors from Columbia University. But, whether Duke’s working on digital media or traditional, moving images or still, strategy or creative, he brings a priceless skill set to the table: that of a steadfast storyteller. Three Key Points:  “The human brain is hard-wired to react to certain structures that we call storytelling, beginning, middle, end.” “If a conveyance of information, and we can call that story, is authentic to the world in which the story is taking place and the person who’s telling it, then it’s compelling.”  “In the context of a brand, the idea is connection. You don’t just want a customer or a supporter, you want a zealot. And that’s where you find them, when you’ve connected. Not just convinced, but connected.”  Resources Mentioned: Pukka’s Promise by Ted Kerasote Meditation by Osho Daring Greatly by Brene Brown Laudato Si by Holy Father Francis Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Duke Greenhill has nearly 20 years of success as a global marketer, a widely published thought leader, and an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. He has held senior positions at some of the world’s most respected agencies in Manhattan and Washington, DC, and he founded Greenhill+Partners, a Manhattan-based boutique consultancy specializing in brand storytelling and luxury brands. He has worked with some of the world’s most respected organizations, too, including Levi Strauss &amp; Co. (Dockers), Chanel, Adidas, MasterCard, Red Bull, Tiffany &amp; Co., Ritz-Carlton, Ameriprise Financial, L’Oreal, the Government of Monaco and more. As a widely published thought leader, Duke has written numerous articles on business and marketing for The New York Times, The Telegraph (U.K.), Fast Company, Inc., Entrepreneur, the Harvard Review and others. Duke has been honored to receive numerous industry accolades and ranks his graduate Academy Award nomination chief among them. He has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MFA with honors from Columbia University. But, whether Duke’s working on digital media or traditional, moving images or still, strategy or creative, he brings a priceless skill set to the table: that of a steadfast storyteller. Three Key Points: <ol> <li>“The human brain is hard-wired to react to certain structures that we call storytelling, beginning, middle, end.”</li> <li>“If a conveyance of information, and we can call that story, is authentic to the world in which the story is taking place and the person who’s telling it, then it’s compelling.” </li> <li>“In the context of a brand, the idea is connection. You don’t just want a customer or a supporter, you want a zealot. And that’s where you find them, when you’ve connected. Not just convinced, but connected.”</li> </ol> Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006R8PFVS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B006R8PFVS&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=6716e676dd95e9ad1b05ee2c96b1302d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pukka’s Promise</a> by Ted Kerasote <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312336632/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0312336632&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=40b6f07f3334202343ab76a12f3723ab" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meditation</a> by Osho <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592408419/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1592408419&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=3ac5c7819c67a323e8664ba712e24ae1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daring Greatly</a> by Brene Brown <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015NQ3ED0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B015NQ3ED0&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=a04c4412ba0d8aa415420d46f587d238" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Laudato Si</a> by Holy Father Francis Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

004: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Duke Greenhill

Ryan Beltrán

Ryan Beltrán, founder of elequa and the Make Water program, is an award-winning filmmaker and innovator with unique experience connecting DIY water technology, student collaborators, and creative storytelling. His early film experience included interning for Oscar-winning director Michel Gondry on productions with Kanye West, White Stripes, Conan O’Brien, Daft Punk and more. Over the years Ryan has taken his ideas to the White House Water Summit, Flint Michigan, and impoverished communities in Colombia. So how does a filmmaker rubbing elbows with Kanye and Richard Linklater get involved in water? Sometimes you come across a story that just has to be told and water’s story spoke to him. Ryan shares with us his involvement as a mentor on the open source technology team for the teen Impact education program at San Antonio Water System.  Although he claims not to have a water “a-ha” moment where it all just clicked, he definitely felt drawn to water’s story through a culmination of experience around the world related to issues surrounding clean drinking water. This led him to his passion for electrocoagulation as a potential solution. As a true believer in collaboration, he shares all of the innovation and technology coming out of his company, elequa, by practicing open source technology via his involvement with maker spaces and his Make Water film series to be released beginning in 2018. You can check out the work of he and his high school Impact teams at makewater.org.  Resources Mentioned: Make Water Project Water, Texas Film Project Republic of Makers Maker Space San Antonio Water System’s Impact Program Reply All Podcast Gimlet Media Podcast Rocket Book Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Ryan Beltrán, founder of elequa and the Make Water program, is an award-winning filmmaker and innovator with unique experience connecting DIY water technology, student collaborators, and creative storytelling. His early film experience included interning for Oscar-winning director Michel Gondry on productions with Kanye West, White Stripes, Conan O’Brien, Daft Punk and more. Over the years Ryan has taken his ideas to the White House Water Summit, Flint Michigan, and impoverished communities in Colombia. So how does a filmmaker rubbing elbows with Kanye and Richard Linklater get involved in water? Sometimes you come across a story that just has to be told and water’s story spoke to him. Ryan shares with us his involvement as a mentor on the open source technology team for the teen Impact education program at San Antonio Water System. Although he claims not to have a water “a-ha” moment where it all just clicked, he definitely felt drawn to water’s story through a culmination of experience around the world related to issues surrounding clean drinking water. This led him to his passion for electrocoagulation as a potential solution. As a true believer in collaboration, he shares all of the innovation and technology coming out of his company, elequa, by practicing open source technology via his involvement with maker spaces and his Make Water film series to be released beginning in 2018. You can check out the work of he and his high school Impact teams at <a href="http://makewater.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">makewater.org</a>. Resources Mentioned: <a href="http://makewater.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Make Water Project</a> <a href="http://www.watertexasfilms.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water, Texas Film Project</a> <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sa-hackerspace" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Republic of Makers Maker Space</a> <a href="http://www.saws.org/Education/High/Impact_Teams/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">San Antonio Water System’s Impact Program</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reply-all/id941907967?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reply All Podcast</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/startup-podcast/id913805339?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gimlet Media Podcast</a> <a href="https://getrocketbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rocket Book</a> Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

005: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Ryan Beltrán

Jennifer Henderson

Jennifer Oliver Henderson is a marketing communication specialist with nearly 20 years of experience. Her professional achievements include “40 Under 40” awarded by the Fort Worth Business Press in 2008, Texas Wesleyan University’s Alumni Service Award in 2012, the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014, Great Women of Texas in 2014, Top 20 Women to Watch in 2016 and alumni scholar of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. She is also recipient of more than 100 local to international design and public relations awards. For fun, she runs Gallery 440, featuring a large collection of international modern art as well as local contemporary Texas artists. Jennifer conveys the incredible value consistent public relations efforts has on building relationships with your community rooted in trust and transparency. We also discuss the world of art and the value art plays in evoking emotion and creating connection with our messages.  Top Takeaways:  An apology, when appropriate, goes a long way. Accountability and honesty is refreshing in a day and age filled with spin, misdirection, and the misperception of perfection conveyed on social media. What someone else says about you, including reporters, is eight times more valuable than any advertisement you pay for. Make your content relevant to your audience. Tell your story but through their eyes.   Resources Mentioned: Coverage Book Purple Cow by Seth Godin All Marketers Tell Stories by Seth Godin Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jennifer Oliver Henderson is a marketing communication specialist with nearly 20 years of experience. Her professional achievements include “40 Under 40” awarded by the Fort Worth Business Press in 2008, Texas Wesleyan University’s Alumni Service Award in 2012, the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014, Great Women of Texas in 2014, Top 20 Women to Watch in 2016 and alumni scholar of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. She is also recipient of more than 100 local to international design and public relations awards. For fun, she runs Gallery 440, featuring a large collection of international modern art as well as local contemporary Texas artists. Jennifer conveys the incredible value consistent public relations efforts has on building relationships with your community rooted in trust and transparency. We also discuss the world of art and the value art plays in evoking emotion and creating connection with our messages. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>An apology, when appropriate, goes a long way. Accountability and honesty is refreshing in a day and age filled with spin, misdirection, and the misperception of perfection conveyed on social media.</li> <li>What someone else says about you, including reporters, is eight times more valuable than any advertisement you pay for.</li> <li>Make your content relevant to your audience. Tell your story but through their eyes. </li> </ol> Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://www.coveragebook.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coverage Book</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014101640X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=014101640X&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=8af8216510fa1886e866f25d3708d7bb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Purple Cow</a> by Seth Godin <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591845335/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1591845335&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=a94b32ef18bea0acf9a8c972c26053e1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All Marketers Tell Stories</a> by Seth Godin Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

006: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Jennifer Henderson

Megan Yoo Schneider

Megan is a bridge builder. Over the last 12 years, she has had the opportunity to work for a myriad of private sector consulting firms and for several public agencies. She has also served on several boards of directors, and she currently serves as the elected Director of Division 7 for the Municipal Water District of Orange County, in addition to her role as Policy Director to 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett in Orange County.  Megan has also served on dozens of committees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), and the Santa Ana River Basin Section, in addition to several other professional associations over the last 14 years. Currently, she is the Vice-Chair and incoming Chair of the WEF Public Communications and Outreach Committee and the Chair of the CWEA Kirt Brooks Memorial Scholarship Committee. She’s organized over a hundred conferences, seminars, plant tours, presentations, community events, and more, and she is part of the inaugural graduating class of the Water Leadership Institute. Megan’s company, Seven Management and Consulting, Inc., is also a partner with Blue Drop.  Top Takeaways:  Educating the youth not only impacts the adults of day through their parents, but also is growing the next generation of water ambassadors. Brain-based learning is about finding the most effective way to teach adults, which is much different than the way children learn.  When ideas are created in a silo they only benefit the people in the silo. Collaboration creates solutions with more widespread impact.   Resources Mentioned: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth Podcast: Building your Dream Team with Shane Snow by EOFire Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Megan is a bridge builder. Over the last 12 years, she has had the opportunity to work for a myriad of private sector consulting firms and for several public agencies. She has also served on several boards of directors, and she currently serves as the elected Director of Division 7 for the Municipal Water District of Orange County, in addition to her role as Policy Director to 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett in Orange County. Megan has also served on dozens of committees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), and the Santa Ana River Basin Section, in addition to several other professional associations over the last 14 years. Currently, she is the Vice-Chair and incoming Chair of the WEF Public Communications and Outreach Committee and the Chair of the CWEA Kirt Brooks Memorial Scholarship Committee. She’s organized over a hundred conferences, seminars, plant tours, presentations, community events, and more, and she is part of the inaugural graduating class of the Water Leadership Institute. Megan’s company, Seven Management and Consulting, Inc., is also a partner with Blue Drop. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>Educating the youth not only impacts the adults of day through their parents, but also is growing the next generation of water ambassadors.</li> <li>Brain-based learning is about finding the most effective way to teach adults, which is much different than the way children learn. </li> <li>When ideas are created in a silo they only benefit the people in the silo. Collaboration creates solutions with more widespread impact. </li> </ol> Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501111108/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1501111108&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=cb4f78c5138af15b959c50eec64d6130" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance</a> by Angela Duckworth Podcast: <a href="https://www.eofire.com/podcast/2005-shane-snow/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Building your Dream Team with Shane Snow</a> by EOFire Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

007: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Megan Yoo Schneider

Lynne Christopher

Lynne Christopher has been a youth educator in the San Antonio Water System’s (SAWS) Communications Department for ten years. Ms. Christopher coordinates school education programs for the company to include Impact, SAWS award-winning high school service learning program.  Her duties in addition to coordinating Impact, include classroom presentations, conducting field trips, curriculum development, managing the SAWS mini-grant program and teacher training.   Top Takeaways:  Clearly defining your why, your mission, and your values are the first step to creating an organizational culture of impact. Only then can you move on to defining the core characteristics you hope to foster in those that participate in your programs. Investing in effective water education programs that produce water literate citizens help create a water-centric culture in your city. Measuring informal education is difficult. Surveys are beneficial but anecdotal evidence, stories, can be the key to measuring the impact of your programs.  Resources Mentioned: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson The Big Thirst by Charles Fisherman  SAWS Impact Program SAWS CORE SAWS Rain to Drain Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Lynne Christopher has been a youth educator in the San Antonio Water System’s (SAWS) Communications Department for ten years. Ms. Christopher coordinates school education programs for the company to include Impact, SAWS award-winning high school service learning program.  Her duties in addition to coordinating Impact, include classroom presentations, conducting field trips, curriculum development, managing the SAWS mini-grant program and teacher training.   Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>Clearly defining your why, your mission, and your values are the first step to creating an organizational culture of impact. Only then can you move on to defining the core characteristics you hope to foster in those that participate in your programs.</li> <li>Investing in effective water education programs that produce water literate citizens help create a water-centric culture in your city.</li> <li>Measuring informal education is difficult. Surveys are beneficial but anecdotal evidence, stories, can be the key to measuring the impact of your programs.</li> </ol> Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/061825305X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=061825305X&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=e09e9193c50fcf51c6eb8e13a7f1caff" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silent Spring</a> by Rachel Carson <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439102082/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1439102082&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=7eec4e0c9fbe6cdb636403678c3cd075" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Big Thirst</a> by Charles Fisherman <a href="https://www.saws.org/Education/High/Impact_Teams/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SAWS Impact Program</a> SAWS CORE <a href="https://www.saws.org/education/Raintodrain.cfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SAWS Rain to Drain</a> Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

008: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Lynne Christopher

Rudi Thompson

Dr. Ruthanne “Rudi” Thompson is a UNT Distinguished Teaching Professor, Director of the Science Education Research Laboratory, and Director of the Dallas Environmental Education Initiative (EEI). Rudi worked as a high school Biology teacher, created and taught an AP Environmental Science course and co-developed the Elm Fork Environmental Education Center on the Campus of the University of North Texas.  All of these experiences culminated twelve years ago when the City of Dallas Water Conservation and Recycling divisions put out a Request for Proposals for the design, development, and implementation of an Environmental Education Initiative. UNT’s proposal was selected and in these 12 years since, the EEI science educators have provided direct, inquiry-based, resource conservation instruction to more than 229,200 learners, pre-k through 12th grade, within the City of Dallas.   We met Dr. Thompson when she presented about the Dallas EEI program at a WENNT meeting earlier this year. WENNT is the Water Educator Network of North Texas meetings we attend monthly. We loved how she was able to show real impact for the program, both in dollars and gallons. She is looking for partners to spread her research! We’re hoping that by spreading the word about the success of the Dallas EEI program that she is able to gain new partners across the state, the country, and even the globe.  Top Takeaways:  Intergenerational transfer multiples the impacts of children learning about water conservation (Dr. Thompson says that’s just a fancy way to say kids guilt their family members into conserving water).  Learn how Dr. Thompson used quantifiable data to show that commitment to saving water was translating into actual water savings. Research doesn’t always needs to be complicated. Sometimes all you need are some water bills and an Excel spreadsheet.  Resources Mentioned: Social Marketing: Why Should the Devil have All the Best Tunes by Gerard Hastings: Hands on Social Marketing: a Step by Step Guide by Nedra Kline Weinreich Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Dr. Ruthanne “Rudi” Thompson is a UNT Distinguished Teaching Professor, Director of the Science Education Research Laboratory, and Director of the Dallas Environmental Education Initiative (EEI). Rudi worked as a high school Biology teacher, created and taught an AP Environmental Science course and co-developed the Elm Fork Environmental Education Center on the Campus of the University of North Texas.  All of these experiences culminated twelve years ago when the City of Dallas Water Conservation and Recycling divisions put out a Request for Proposals for the design, development, and implementation of an Environmental Education Initiative. UNT’s proposal was selected and in these 12 years since, the EEI science educators have provided direct, inquiry-based, resource conservation instruction to more than 229,200 learners, pre-k through 12th grade, within the City of Dallas.   We met Dr. Thompson when she presented about the Dallas EEI program at a WENNT meeting earlier this year. WENNT is the Water Educator Network of North Texas meetings we attend monthly. We loved how she was able to show real impact for the program, both in dollars and gallons. She is looking for partners to spread her research! We’re hoping that by spreading the word about the success of the Dallas EEI program that she is able to gain new partners across the state, the country, and even the globe. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>Intergenerational transfer multiples the impacts of children learning about water conservation (Dr. Thompson says that’s just a fancy way to say kids guilt their family members into conserving water). </li> <li>Learn how Dr. Thompson used quantifiable data to show that commitment to saving water was translating into actual water savings.</li> <li>Research doesn’t always needs to be complicated. Sometimes all you need are some water bills and an Excel spreadsheet.</li> </ol> Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0750683503/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0750683503&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=750c19ded756dfe3f4f20523f8866d2e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Social Marketing: Why Should the Devil have All the Best Tunes</a> by Gerard Hastings: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1412953693/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1412953693&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=761b101391269d4d40c5ef1dc2f1f19e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hands on Social Marketing: a Step by Step Guide</a> by Nedra Kline Weinreich Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

009: Catalyst Mastermind Speaker Series Dr. Rudi Thompson

Award-winning communication professionals, Arianne Shipley and Stephanie Corso, aka The H2duO, chat with thought-leaders from both inside and outside of the water industry to serve as a resource for both personal and professional growth. Water in Real Life was created for water professionals who believe that if you desire to build the right relationships with your community, and thereby overcome many of the challenges you face, then your ability to connect with them through storytelling is essential.

Love the podcast- great content- very informative. And I don’t even work for a water company!

Jim

Great show

I love these gals! Fun to listen to and so insightful!

Listen up Water nerds

Water In Real Life

Khun Khunaraksa

Khunapong “Khun” Khunaraksa is a Portfolio Manager at Water.org. Khun is focused on water utility financing programs in Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. His passion stems from his expert experience as a water engineer and that he is originally from this region. This is why Khun is proud to be a part of a team working diligently to achieve access to safe water and sanitation for all. He’s seen firsthand how access to safe water can change communities and empower people in Southeast Asia, inspiring him to help reach even more. Top Takeaways: Things you might already know:  Water.org was founded by Gary White and Matt Damon 844 million people around the world lack access to clean water 2.3 billion people around the world lack access to sanitation The global water crisis requires $114 billion dollars of investment each year to solve  Things you may not have known:  Water.org began their water credit program in 2003. To date they have impacted the lives of 14 million people and now impact one million people every quarter The average micro loan in Indonesia is $100 to tap into the local water utility The repayment rate for the water credit program is 99% Water.org works with local utilities to accelerate progress towards ending the global water crisis There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Collaboration is key Water.org uses partners on the ground to do public outreach efforts that communicate the value of water and sanitation Ultimately, we are more alike than we are different. People want the best for their family Just like in the US, getting buy in from all stakeholders, from management to field crews, is essential to the success of a program  Resources: Join the Poo Crew! Contact Khun on LinkedIn or via email to be added. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance Sponsor:  Utilities can now automate leak alerts with Dropcountr – the customer portal built for water utilities. Dropcountr helps customers manage their water use and avoid unwanted usage with leak alerts. The team works with the utility to set automated burst and continuous usage thresholds for their users, to help them avoid bill surprises, reduce customer calls and improve customer satisfaction. The leak alerts run in the background, your team never needs to think about them – it’s kind of like magic. Find out more about Dropcountr and the work they’re doing at theh2duo.com/dropcountr. Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Khunapong “Khun” Khunaraksa is a Portfolio Manager at <a href="http://Water.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water.org</a>. Khun is focused on water utility financing programs in Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. His passion stems from his expert experience as a water engineer and that he is originally from this region. This is why Khun is proud to be a part of a team working diligently to achieve access to safe water and sanitation for all. He’s seen firsthand how access to safe water can change communities and empower people in Southeast Asia, inspiring him to help reach even more. Top Takeaways: Things you might already know: <ul> <li><a href="http://Water.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water.org</a> was founded by Gary White and Matt Damon</li> <li>844 million people around the world lack access to clean water</li> <li>2.3 billion people around the world lack access to sanitation</li> <li>The global water crisis requires $114 billion dollars of investment each year to solve</li> </ul> Things you may not have known: <ul> <li><a href="http://Water.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water.org</a> began their water credit program in 2003. To date they have impacted the lives of 14 million people and now impact one million people every quarter</li> <li>The average micro loan in Indonesia is $100 to tap into the local water utility</li> <li>The repayment rate for the water credit program is 99%</li> <li><a href="http://Water.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water.org</a> works with local utilities to accelerate progress towards ending the global water crisis</li> <li>There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Collaboration is key</li> <li><a href="http://Water.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water.org</a> uses partners on the ground to do public outreach efforts that communicate the value of water and sanitation</li> <li>Ultimately, we are more alike than we are different. People want the best for their family</li> <li>Just like in the US, getting buy in from all stakeholders, from management to field crews, is essential to the success of a program</li> </ul> Resources: Join the Poo Crew! Contact Khun on <a href="http://Linkedin.com/in/khunapong" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> or via <a href="khunapong@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">email</a> to be added. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Dw4T09" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future</a> by Ashlee Vance Sponsor: Utilities can now automate leak alerts with <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> – the customer portal built for water utilities. <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> helps customers manage their water use and avoid unwanted usage with leak alerts. The team works with the utility to set automated burst and continuous usage thresholds for their users, to help them avoid bill surprises, reduce customer calls and improve customer satisfaction. The leak alerts run in the background, your team never needs to think about them – it’s kind of like magic. Find out more about <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> and the work they’re doing at <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">theh2duo.com/dropcountr.</a> Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

029: How Collaboration is Solving the Global Water Crisis with Water.org Portfolio Manager, Khun Khunaraksa

George Hawkins

George Hawkins is the Harvard educated Founder of Moonshot LLC and just recently, Moonshot Partners, a Professor of Practice at American University and former head of DC Water. He facilitated the transformation of DC Water and Sewer Authority to DC Water and oversaw taking DC Water from some very challenging times to the national and international reputation it now enjoys. George wants to help other enterprises tell their story, create replicable roadmaps and reach their dreams.  Top Takeaways: As water nerds passionate about communication, obviously, our chat with George Hawkins is ripe with takeaways:  The incredible importance of communication to our industry, however, it’s always a treat to hear that perspective from someone who is on the front lines of water technology and financing the way that George is. We talk about the importance of internal communication and how you have to begin on the inside to ever hope to have an effective external communication strategy. Internally this means not only writing down your mission, vision, and values but living them as an organization and ensuring your entire team hears them used regularly and sees them in action. We also talk about the role of communication in earning trust with the communities we serve.  Show Notes: [4:15] Life after DC Water: how entrepreneurial life has treated George Hawkins this past year. [8:21] George shares how his perspective of the industry has changed given his new role in it this past year. [12:46] George gives us examples from his experiences that made him an advocate for communication in the water industry. [22:23] In his own words: advice on how water educators and communicators can win over upper management. [28:56] Why it’s so important for an organization, especially in the water industry, to not only believe in the mission but more importantly, act on it. [35:58] George shares how can utilities earn back their communities trust, given the fact that people are sort of wary, of us but we need their trust to move forward with new infrastructure and technology. [44:06] Hear George’s take on why customer service is so vital to utilities today, especially related to adopting new technology and addressing funding needs. [57:00] With all he has seen and been introduced to, hear what has THE George Hawkins the most excited about the future of water. [1:05:12]  George speaks directly to all you men and women in the field, braving all conditions, and working tirelessly in a thankless job. He shares with you why what you do matters so much. Resources: The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic–and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson Sponsor:  The Alliance for Water Efficiency is a non-profit organization and North America’s authoritative resource for water efficiency. Their mission is to promote the efficient use of water to achieve more resilient communities, businesses, and ecosystems.  The AWE network brings together more than 450 member organizations, including water providers, business leaders, government agencies, non-profits, academic institutions, and associations. AWE advances sustainable water use in partnership with its members through research, advocacy, resources, and education. AWE gives communities the tools and training to manage water resources sustainably, helps build the market for tomorrow’s technologies and services, and partners to advocate, educate, and legislate.  Learn more and join the network by visiting www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org or emailing membership@a4we.org. Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

George Hawkins is the Harvard educated Founder of Moonshot LLC and just recently, Moonshot Partners, a Professor of Practice at American University and former head of DC Water. He facilitated the transformation of DC Water and Sewer Authority to DC Water and oversaw taking DC Water from some very challenging times to the national and international reputation it now enjoys. George wants to help other enterprises tell their story, create replicable roadmaps and reach their dreams. Top Takeaways: As water nerds passionate about communication, obviously, our chat with George Hawkins is ripe with takeaways: <ul> <li>The incredible importance of communication to our industry, however, it’s always a treat to hear that perspective from someone who is on the front lines of water technology and financing the way that George is.</li> <li>We talk about the importance of internal communication and how you have to begin on the inside to ever hope to have an effective external communication strategy. Internally this means not only writing down your mission, vision, and values but living them as an organization and ensuring your entire team hears them used regularly and sees them in action.</li> <li>We also talk about the role of communication in earning trust with the communities we serve.</li> </ul> Show Notes: [4:15] Life after DC Water: how entrepreneurial life has treated George Hawkins this past year. [8:21] George shares how his perspective of the industry has changed given his new role in it this past year. [12:46] George gives us examples from his experiences that made him an advocate for communication in the water industry. [22:23] In his own words: advice on how water educators and communicators can win over upper management. [28:56] Why it’s so important for an organization, especially in the water industry, to not only believe in the mission but more importantly, act on it. [35:58] George shares how can utilities earn back their communities trust, given the fact that people are sort of wary, of us but we need their trust to move forward with new infrastructure and technology. [44:06] Hear George’s take on why customer service is so vital to utilities today, especially related to adopting new technology and addressing funding needs. [57:00] With all he has seen and been introduced to, hear what has THE George Hawkins the most excited about the future of water. [1:05:12]  George speaks directly to all you men and women in the field, braving all conditions, and working tirelessly in a thankless job. He shares with you why what you do matters so much. Resources: The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic–and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson Sponsor: The <a href="http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alliance for Water Efficiency</a> is a non-profit organization and North America’s authoritative resource for water efficiency. Their mission is to promote the efficient use of water to achieve more resilient communities, businesses, and ecosystems. <ul> <li>The AWE network brings together more than 450 member organizations, including water providers, business leaders, government agencies, non-profits, academic institutions, and associations.</li> <li>AWE advances sustainable water use in partnership with its members through research, advocacy, resources, and education.</li> <li>AWE gives communities the tools and training to manage water resources sustainably, helps build the market for tomorrow’s technologies and services, and partners to advocate, educate, and legislate.</li> </ul> Learn more and join the network by visiting <a href="http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org</a> or emailing membership@a4we.org. Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

040: Why Communication Comes First with George Hawkins

We had the honor of being the luncheon keynote at NACWA’s StratComm conference in June 2019, and while we were there, got to interview some of their amazing board members and committee members. Top Takeaways  Lisa Van Riper brings her private sector marketing experience to the water table, stressing the importance of branding our “national treasure” of water. She explains that branding matters in the water industry because its how we communicate to customers that their bill is an investment in the public health and the environment of their community. Bess McCoy shares on the role of stormwater in public communication on flooding, as well as the value of water.It’s important to communicate the importance of stormwater issues that promote public safety and preparedness. Tom Sigmund talks internal comms, the manager’s role, and encourages us to simply “make it weird, until its not”. Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells discusses the impact of the 50% anniversary of the cuyahoga river fire and the significance for the clean water act and NEORSD. She also touched on their approach to communication—the 3Ts—Timely, Transparent, and Thoughtful.  Show Notes: Lisa Van Riper: [6:00] Branding is a starting point for shaping your messages. [8:50] I’ve only been in water for 5 years, and before that I had no idea what a treasure this industry was. We are a national treasure, and nobody knows that. [11:30] We have an educational fence on our pump station with different interactives. [17:00] A brand is about the personality, the mantra, the architecture, the messaging, the positioning…  [18:30] We try to unite everyone around the brand, and did this with internal town hall meetings.  [19:30] Renew and transform are very similar. Bess McCoy: [26:00] How are you communicating about flooding issues to your community? [28:00] We knew we were in a position to inform and educate, and that’s our job. [28:30] What is some of the public outreach you’ve been doing around advance awareness for flooding? [29:30] Real estate agents have been great partners in getting our message out. [32:00] what is the value of NAQWA? Tom Sigmund: [34:00] How are you communicating about the transition from a wastewater utility to a producer of “new” water? [36:30] We realized our biggest impact would be outside the fence. [37:30] Starting initially as an engineer, what made you a believer in communication? [44:20] The first step in terms of internal communication, is just start- “make it weird until its not” [46:00] NAQWA is the best representation in our industry both for legislation and regulation.  Kyle Dreyfus Wells: [47:30] How does the story of the cuyahoga river fire shape perception and environmental policy in ohio? [49:10] The story that resonates for me for NEORDS is the success of the clean water act, and how the river shows that. [50:40] The concept of service brought me to the water sector. [51:30] We have a burden to make up for the mistakes of the past. [53:20] It is leadership’s role to make sure people are empowered to give the difficult answer. [54:00] Check your terms. [55:30] When it comes to social media, you have no choice.   Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells—is CEO of the North East Ohio Regional Sewer District. As CEO she oversees the operation of one of the largest clean-water agencies in Ohio, a district that treats 90 billion gallons of water every year thanks to the work of more than 750 employees. She works closely with seven Trustees and nine directors to ensure efficient management of hundreds of miles of sewer and stream networks, a multi-billion-dollar 25-year Project Clean Lake program, and a regional wet-weather strategy for the health of Lake Erie and more than one million residents. Before becoming CEO, Ms. Dreyfuss-Wells coordinated the District’s watershed management, including the Regional Stormwater Management Program and the application of stormwater control measures to reduce combined sewer overflows under the District’s Green Infrastructure Policy. She is past chair of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Stormwater Management Committee and the One Water Council of the US Water Alliance.  She serves on the NACWA Board and chairs the District 1 Natural Resources Assistance Council for the Ohio Public Works Commission’s Clean Ohio Conservation Program.  In 2012, Ms. Dreyfuss-Wells received the Stormwater Professional of the Year award from the Ohio Stormwater Association and the NACWA President’s Award. Ms. Dreyfuss-Wells graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She earned master’s degrees with honors in both Public Affairs and Environmental Science at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Samoa. Before joining the District, she was Director of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc.   Tom Sigmund—is the Executive Director of NEW Water, the brand of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, where he has been since 2007. NEW Water is a regional clean water utility serving 230,000 people in 15 municipalities providing wholesale conveyance and treatment services. NEW Water has 99 employees and an annual budget of $42 million. NEW Water expresses its attitude of viewing the material sent to its facilities as valuable resources to be recovered and reused and a commitment to protecting its most valuable resource, water.   Mr. Sigmund is a Professional Engineer in Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio. He is a member of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and serves on the Executive Committee of their Board of Directors.  Mr. Sigmund has a MS and BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bess McCoy—is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), serving on a team of four in the district’s Public Affairs Division.  Driven by her passion for public engagement and government transparency, Bess leads MSD’s employee communication and municipal communication efforts. She is responsible for engaging more than 1,000 employees and 88 municipalities in MSD’s efforts to protect the public health and water environment. Bess also serves as an official spokesperson for MSD. The “positive face” of the district, she is the primary representative for MSD’s proactive media engagement including their educational campaigns and stories highlighting their preventative activities. MSD is two utilities in one; it is a wastewater utility and a stormwater utility. With over 9,000 miles of sewer lines and seven wastewater treatment plants, MSD is the fourth largest sewer system in the United States. MSD serves more than 1.3 million customers in a 520 square-mile service area that includes all of St. Louis City and 90% of St. Louis County. Prior to joining MSD, Bess served as the Public Information Officer for the City of Creve Coeur, a municipality in St. Louis County. She also spent four years working in the advertising industry where she specialized in online marketing and strategic research. A lifelong St. Louis area resident, Bess earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Saint Louis University.  Lisa Van Riper- is Director of Enterprise Communications at AlexRenew, the advanced water resource recovery facility for Alexandria, Virginia, and parts of Fairfax County. She established the communications department for AlexRenew and led the rebranding of the organization as Alexandria’s Water Transformers.  Prior to AlexRenew, Van Riper was Assistant Vice President, University Communications at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. She turned around the communications department to better serve campus partners and led innovation to increase visibility for the university, including tripling media placements, developing a social media program, and creating an online recruitment advertising strategy.  Van Riper also worked at CarMax, Inc. as Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs and Store Marketing, where she established the communications practice and CarMax Foundation. She also led grand openings and store experience marketing, and the program to secure a place for CarMax on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work for” list.  During her career, Van Riper and the teams she has led have won more than 45 awards for communications excellence from communications, university, and water industry associations. Van Riper is Vice-Chair of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Strategic Communications Committee.  Sponsor: This episode is powered by Rogue Water, the public communication company founded by the H2duO, Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley. Rogue Water is dedicated to revolutionizing the water industry—one person, one story, one experience at a time. We are award-winning communication professionals with a decade of experience working in water utilities moving the needle forward in communication, outreach, and education to build stronger relationships between the water sector and the public it serves. These relationships serve as the foundation needed to make the necessary changes that create a sustainable water future for all. Are you ready to go Rogue? Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

We had the honor of being the luncheon keynote at NACWA’s StratComm conference in June 2019, and while we were there, got to interview some of their amazing board members and committee members. Top Takeaways <ol> <li>Lisa Van Riper brings her private sector marketing experience to the water table, stressing the importance of branding our “national treasure” of water. She explains that branding matters in the water industry because its how we communicate to customers that their bill is an investment in the public health and the environment of their community.</li> <li>Bess McCoy shares on the role of stormwater in public communication on flooding, as well as the value of <a href="http://water.It" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">water.It</a>’s important to communicate the importance of stormwater issues that promote public safety and preparedness.</li> <li>Tom Sigmund talks internal comms, the manager’s role, and encourages us to simply “make it weird, until its not”.</li> <li>Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells discusses the impact of the 50% anniversary of the cuyahoga river fire and the significance for the clean water act and NEORSD. She also touched on their approach to communication—the 3Ts—Timely, Transparent, and Thoughtful.</li> </ol> Show Notes: Lisa Van Riper: [6:00] Branding is a starting point for shaping your messages. [8:50] I’ve only been in water for 5 years, and before that I had no idea what a treasure this industry was. We are a national treasure, and nobody knows that. [11:30] We have an educational fence on our pump station with different interactives. [17:00] A brand is about the personality, the mantra, the architecture, the messaging, the positioning… [18:30] We try to unite everyone around the brand, and did this with internal town hall meetings.  [19:30] Renew and transform are very similar. Bess McCoy: [26:00] How are you communicating about flooding issues to your community? [28:00] We knew we were in a position to inform and educate, and that’s our job. [28:30] What is some of the public outreach you’ve been doing around advance awareness for flooding? [29:30] Real estate agents have been great partners in getting our message out. [32:00] what is the value of NAQWA? Tom Sigmund: [34:00] How are you communicating about the transition from a wastewater utility to a producer of “new” water? [36:30] We realized our biggest impact would be outside the fence. [37:30] Starting initially as an engineer, what made you a believer in communication? [44:20] The first step in terms of internal communication, is just start- “make it weird until its not” [46:00] NAQWA is the best representation in our industry both for legislation and regulation.  Kyle Dreyfus Wells: [47:30] How does the story of the cuyahoga river fire shape perception and environmental policy in ohio? [49:10] The story that resonates for me for NEORDS is the success of the clean water act, and how the river shows that. [50:40] The concept of service brought me to the water sector. [51:30] We have a burden to make up for the mistakes of the past. [53:20] It is leadership’s role to make sure people are empowered to give the difficult answer. [54:00] Check your terms. [55:30] When it comes to social media, you have no choice. Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells—is CEO of the North East Ohio Regional Sewer District. As CEO she oversees the operation of one of the largest clean-water agencies in Ohio, a district that treats 90 billion gallons of water every year thanks to the work of more than 750 employees. She works closely with seven Trustees and nine directors to ensure efficient management of hundreds of miles of sewer and stream networks, a multi-billion-dollar 25-year Project Clean Lake program, and a regional wet-weather strategy for the health of Lake Erie and more than one million residents. Before becoming CEO, Ms. Dreyfuss-Wells coordinated the District’s watershed management, including the Regional Stormwater Management Program and the application of stormwater control measures to reduce combined sewer overflows under the District’s Green Infrastructure Policy. She is past chair of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Stormwater Management Committee and the One Water Council of the US Water Alliance.  She serves on the NACWA Board and chairs the District 1 Natural Resources Assistance Council for the Ohio Public Works Commission’s Clean Ohio Conservation Program.  In 2012, Ms. Dreyfuss-Wells received the Stormwater Professional of the Year award from the Ohio Stormwater Association and the NACWA President’s Award. Ms. Dreyfuss-Wells graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She earned master’s degrees with honors in both Public Affairs and Environmental Science at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Samoa. Before joining the District, she was Director of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc.  Tom Sigmund—is the Executive Director of NEW Water, the brand of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, where he has been since 2007. NEW Water is a regional clean water utility serving 230,000 people in 15 municipalities providing wholesale conveyance and treatment services. NEW Water has 99 employees and an annual budget of $42 million. NEW Water expresses its attitude of viewing the material sent to its facilities as valuable resources to be recovered and reused and a commitment to protecting its most valuable resource, water.   Mr. Sigmund is a Professional Engineer in Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio. He is a member of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and serves on the Executive Committee of their Board of Directors.  Mr. Sigmund has a MS and BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bess McCoy—is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), serving on a team of four in the district’s Public Affairs Division.  Driven by her passion for public engagement and government transparency, Bess leads MSD’s employee communication and municipal communication efforts. She is responsible for engaging more than 1,000 employees and 88 municipalities in MSD’s efforts to protect the public health and water environment. Bess also serves as an official spokesperson for MSD. The “positive face” of the district, she is the primary representative for MSD’s proactive media engagement including their educational campaigns and stories highlighting their preventative activities. MSD is two utilities in one; it is a wastewater utility and a stormwater utility. With over 9,000 miles of sewer lines and seven wastewater treatment plants, MSD is the fourth largest sewer system in the United States. MSD serves more than 1.3 million customers in a 520 square-mile service area that includes all of St. Louis City and 90% of St. Louis County. Prior to joining MSD, Bess served as the Public Information Officer for the City of Creve Coeur, a municipality in St. Louis County. She also spent four years working in the advertising industry where she specialized in online marketing and strategic research. A lifelong St. Louis area resident, Bess earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Saint Louis University. Lisa Van Riper- is Director of Enterprise Communications at AlexRenew, the advanced water resource recovery facility for Alexandria, Virginia, and parts of Fairfax County. She established the communications department for AlexRenew and led the rebranding of the organization as Alexandria’s Water Transformers.  Prior to AlexRenew, Van Riper was Assistant Vice President, University Communications at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. She turned around the communications department to better serve campus partners and led innovation to increase visibility for the university, including tripling media placements, developing a social media program, and creating an online recruitment advertising strategy.  Van Riper also worked at CarMax, Inc. as Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs and Store Marketing, where she established the communications practice and CarMax Foundation. She also led grand openings and store experience marketing, and the program to secure a place for CarMax on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work for” list.  During her career, Van Riper and the teams she has led have won more than 45 awards for communications excellence from communications, university, and water industry associations. Van Riper is Vice-Chair of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Strategic Communications Committee. Sponsor: This episode is powered by<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue Water</a>, the public communication company founded by the H2duO, Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley.<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue Water</a> is dedicated to revolutionizing the water industry—one person, one story, one experience at a time. We are award-winning communication professionals with a decade of experience working in water utilities moving the needle forward in communication, outreach, and education to build stronger relationships between the water sector and the public it serves. These relationships serve as the foundation needed to make the necessary changes that create a sustainable water future for all. Are you ready to go<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue</a>? Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us<a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> @THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

62: The NACWA Mashup: Talking Comms with some NACWA Super Stars

Pete Buttigieg

Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the chief executive of the City of South Bend, where he was also born. He took office in 2012 at the age of twenty-nine and is responsible for the city workforce of over 1,000 employees and an annual budget over $380 million.  Buttigieg has been profiled by the New York Times and was called “the most interesting mayor you’ve never heard of” by the Washington Post. An officer in U.S. Navy Reserve from 2009-17, Buttigieg took a leave of absence to serve in Afghanistan during a seven-month deployment in 2014, earning the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his counterterrorism work. A Rhodes Scholar, Buttigieg studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford and has a degree in American History and Literature from Harvard College. He lives in a formerly vacant house he is restoring in the same neighborhood where he grew up, with his husband, Chasten Glezman, and their dog, Truman. Top Takeaways:  Partnering with a local university allowed them to deploy local innovation to optimize the system they had in place and support the local economy. On communicating water issues with elected officials: Keep it simple and be patient. “A lot of our most talented and capable people sometimes forget about the ratio between what they know and what I’m capable of absorbing.” Veterans are a fantastic source for the future water workforce because of the shared value of service. “What military service and good municipal public works have in common is they are a form of service and professional work that makes everything else possible.” Go where you’re needed, no matter how surprising or unexpected that place may be.  Resources: Shortest Way Home by Pete Buttigieg The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis Sponsor: Imagine H2O is a water technology accelerator empowering people to develop and deploy innovation to solve water challenges globally. You can be innovative about anything, from your hiring process to the way your organization deals with hexavalent chromium contamination. What matters is that you’re constantly trying to improve the way you’re doing things, and the better you are at innovation, the better you are at everything. Learn more about Imagine H2O, our accelerator and beta programs at imagineh2o.org.    Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the chief executive of the City of South Bend, where he was also born. He took office in 2012 at the age of twenty-nine and is responsible for the city workforce of over 1,000 employees and an annual budget over $380 million. Buttigieg has been profiled by the New York Times and was called “the most interesting mayor you’ve never heard of” by the Washington Post. An officer in U.S. Navy Reserve from 2009-17, Buttigieg took a leave of absence to serve in Afghanistan during a seven-month deployment in 2014, earning the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his counterterrorism work. A Rhodes Scholar, Buttigieg studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford and has a degree in American History and Literature from Harvard College. He lives in a formerly vacant house he is restoring in the same neighborhood where he grew up, with his husband, Chasten Glezman, and their dog, Truman. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>Partnering with a local university allowed them to deploy local innovation to optimize the system they had in place and support the local economy.</li> <li>On communicating water issues with elected officials: Keep it simple and be patient. “A lot of our most talented and capable people sometimes forget about the ratio between what they know and what I’m capable of absorbing.”</li> <li>Veterans are a fantastic source for the future water workforce because of the shared value of service. “What military service and good municipal public works have in common is they are a form of service and professional work that makes everything else possible.”</li> <li>Go where you’re needed, no matter how surprising or unexpected that place may be.</li> </ol> Resources: <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Shortest-Way-Home-Challenge-Americas/dp/1631494368/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NG8M92FRFYXV&amp;keywords=shortest+way+home&amp;qid=1552850168&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=shortest%2Caps%2C151&amp;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shortest Way Home</a> by Pete Buttigieg <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Fifth-Risk-Michael-Lewis/dp/1324002646/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17LNU72L9C74D&amp;keywords=the+fifth+risk+michael+lewis&amp;qid=1552850390&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=the+fifth+ri%2Caps%2C154&amp;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Fifth Risk</a> by Michael Lewis Sponsor: <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/imagineh2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Imagine H2O</a> is a water technology accelerator empowering people to develop and deploy innovation to solve water challenges globally. You can be innovative about anything, from your hiring process to the way your organization deals with hexavalent chromium contamination. What matters is that you’re constantly trying to improve the way you’re doing things, and the better you are at innovation, the better you are at everything. Learn more about <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/imagineh2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Imagine H2O</a>, our accelerator and beta programs at <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/imagineh2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">imagineh2o.org</a>.    Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

047: Service, Smart Sewers, and Slaying the Basics with Pete Buttigieg

Kenny Thompson

Kenny Thompson Jr. is the Senior Director of Government and External Affairs at PepsiCo, the largest food and beverage company in the United States. He leads PepsiCo’s business-wide strategy for targeting, investing, cultivating and maintaining signature partnerships with external stakeholders to drive positive business and community impact.  Before joining PepsiCo, Kenny held several positions in the Obama White House, including Special Assistant to Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Senior Advisor to United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Special Assistant and Advance Lead for President Barack Obama. Kenny spent two years on the Obama for America Campaign in 2007 and 2008 as a member of the National Advance Staff, during which time he traveled to 38 states and over 100 cities. A native Texan, Thompson has a Master’s of Business Administration from Georgetown University. He received his undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University, where he played baseball for the Horned Frogs. Currently, Kenny serves on the board of directors of the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute, the AddRan College of Liberal Arts at TCU, and is a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Council at TCU. Kenny and his wife Jessica live in Washington, DC. Top Takeaways:  It all comes down to knowing your audience and building relationships Learn best practices on approaching elected officials Local matters now more than ever–driving policy change at both the local level and on capital hill  Show notes: [7:34] Local matters now more than ever. Building relationships with the mayor, city council, school boards are crucial to making an impact locally.   [11:29] What can we learn from political campaigns that we can apply to our outreach efforts? [12:34] What motivates people locally and showing them how it impacts them on a daily basis. Once you get people motivated it’s much easier to get people organized.  [15:37] Come with solutions, they get noticed. Anyone can come with a problem, come with a solution. If you can identify a problem, identify a solution.  [16:46] Don’t let the great be the enemy of the good.  [19:12] Use your subject matter expertise to promote your cause. Don’t assume because the person across the desk has more power that they know more than you.  [19:55] Tips when speaking on Capitol Hill:   Member of Congress care about what’s going on in their districts. Make sure you tie all things back to their district, don’t forget to give credit where credit is due. Connect to local mayors and local decision makers “I’ve been working with the mayor in our city about this and they support this.” [22:27] Use events to build your lists but stay engaged with your audience. Don’t let the connection end at the event.  [23:55] There always needs to be a call to action. Be specific. Don’t ask them to do three things, ask them to do one thing. The more times you ask the more likely you are to get action.  [26:45] The importance of building relationships with key influencers. Don’t just focus on the elected officials, but also who are they listening to? Where are they getting their news? [29:40] Changing policy takes time and it will feel like two steps forward, one step back. “When you’re building relationships you just want to be an honest broker.” [30:49] “Anyone can kick down a barn door.” (Sam Rayburn)“But very few people can sit down at a table and know the public policy or a specific issue and advocate for it and engage with other people thoughtfully.” [34:52] What are some of the ways PepsiCo is taking on local initiatives related to water? Working with local farmers to reuse water, fixing irrigation problems, putting water back into the system. Partnering with organizations at the local level, Flint, Sacramento, Baltimore to help fix infrastructure problems.  [37:24] Kenny talks about starting with the basics, like infrastructure, as the first step to solving major issues such as education. *Boom: He’s a #waternerd Resources: What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer Educated by Tara Westover Sponsor: WaterNow Alliance believes that local leaders hold the keys to our future. WNA is a nonprofit network of over 400 councilmembers, mayors, water district board members, and utility management nationwide that champion sustainable, affordable, and community-based solutions to water management challenges. They are a catalyst for change and an architect for solutions. WNA helps to identify and overcome barriers, provide tools, training, project and policy support, and shares best management practices for local initiatives advancing community resilience. WNA is a forum for collaborative action through convenings and annual summits, and a network for local leaders to learn from each other.  Join this unique network of local decision makers leading the way to a healthy and resilient water future for their communities. Membership is free and open to the decision makers who vote on all things water from policy to programs to rates and who are ultimately accountable to the public. Visit waternow.org/join or email info@waternow.org.  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

Kenny Thompson Jr. is the Senior Director of Government and External Affairs at PepsiCo, the largest food and beverage company in the United States. He leads PepsiCo’s business-wide strategy for targeting, investing, cultivating and maintaining signature partnerships with external stakeholders to drive positive business and community impact. Before joining PepsiCo, Kenny held several positions in the Obama White House, including Special Assistant to Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Senior Advisor to United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Special Assistant and Advance Lead for President Barack Obama. Kenny spent two years on the Obama for America Campaign in 2007 and 2008 as a member of the National Advance Staff, during which time he traveled to 38 states and over 100 cities. A native Texan, Thompson has a Master’s of Business Administration from Georgetown University. He received his undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University, where he played baseball for the Horned Frogs. Currently, Kenny serves on the board of directors of the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute, the AddRan College of Liberal Arts at TCU, and is a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Council at TCU. Kenny and his wife Jessica live in Washington, DC. Top Takeaways: <ul> <li>It all comes down to knowing your audience and building relationships</li> <li>Learn best practices on approaching elected officials</li> <li>Local matters now more than ever–driving policy change at both the local level and on capital hill</li> </ul> Show notes: [7:34] Local matters now more than ever. Building relationships with the mayor, city council, school boards are crucial to making an impact locally.   [11:29] What can we learn from political campaigns that we can apply to our outreach efforts? [12:34] What motivates people locally and showing them how it impacts them on a daily basis. Once you get people motivated it’s much easier to get people organized. [15:37] Come with solutions, they get noticed. Anyone can come with a problem, come with a solution. If you can identify a problem, identify a solution. [16:46] Don’t let the great be the enemy of the good. [19:12] Use your subject matter expertise to promote your cause. Don’t assume because the person across the desk has more power that they know more than you. [19:55] Tips when speaking on Capitol Hill:   Member of Congress care about what’s going on in their districts. Make sure you tie all things back to their district, don’t forget to give credit where credit is due. Connect to local mayors and local decision makers “I’ve been working with the mayor in our city about this and they support this.” [22:27] Use events to build your lists but stay engaged with your audience. Don’t let the connection end at the event. [23:55] There always needs to be a call to action. Be specific. Don’t ask them to do three things, ask them to do one thing. The more times you ask the more likely you are to get action. [26:45] The importance of building relationships with key influencers. Don’t just focus on the elected officials, but also who are they listening to? Where are they getting their news? [29:40] Changing policy takes time and it will feel like two steps forward, one step back. “When you’re building relationships you just want to be an honest broker.” [30:49] “Anyone can kick down a barn door.” (Sam Rayburn)“But very few people can sit down at a table and know the public policy or a specific issue and advocate for it and engage with other people thoughtfully.” [34:52] What are some of the ways PepsiCo is taking on local initiatives related to water? Working with local farmers to reuse water, fixing irrigation problems, putting water back into the system. Partnering with organizations at the local level, Flint, Sacramento, Baltimore to help fix infrastructure problems. [37:24] Kenny talks about starting with the basics, like infrastructure, as the first step to solving major issues such as education. *Boom: He’s a #waternerd Resources: What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer Educated by Tara Westover Sponsor: <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/waternow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WaterNow Alliance</a> believes that local leaders hold the keys to our future. WNA is a nonprofit network of over 400 councilmembers, mayors, water district board members, and utility management nationwide that champion sustainable, affordable, and community-based solutions to water management challenges. They are a catalyst for change and an architect for solutions. WNA helps to identify and overcome barriers, provide tools, training, project and policy support, and shares best management practices for local initiatives advancing community resilience. WNA is a forum for collaborative action through convenings and annual summits, and a network for local leaders to learn from each other. Join this unique network of local decision makers leading the way to a healthy and resilient water future for their communities. Membership is free and open to the decision makers who vote on all things water from policy to programs to rates and who are ultimately accountable to the public. Visit <a href="http://waternow.org/join" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">waternow.org/join</a> or email <a href="mailto:info@waternow.org">info@waternow.org</a>.  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

053: Public Outreach Lessons from the Campaign Trail with Kenny Thompson Jr. of PepsiCo

Mike McGill

Mike McGill has spent his entire career as a communicator, having served as a leader in journalism and public relations.  Before founding WaterPIO, a communications firm specifically aimed at helping water and sewer operations, he served as a Director of Communications and Customer Service for water utilities for a dozen years including  Chief Communications Officer for Cape Fear Public Utility Authority in Wilmington, North Carolina; Director of Customer Relations and Communications for Loudoun Water in Loudoun County, Virginia; and Public Affairs Coordinator for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), a utility that serves nearly two million people in the Washington, DC Area. Mike is a graduate of Syracuse University and began his career as a news producer in CNN’s Washington bureau, and as the News Planning Editor for WUSA-TV in Washington, DC. Top Takeaways:  [57:48] Capture your “gee-whiz” moments. Mike talks about how he turned a main break into a positive front page highlight of employees. [19:24] The 2018 JD Power Water Utility Residential Customer Survey showed that even a modest commitment of time and resources will get you an exponential benefit. [52:52] The importance of building relationships doesn’t only reside with the water provider/customer relationship. The most important relationship is between the communicator and the water provider staff so they understand what your ultimate end goal is–to protect the integrity of the invaluable service they provide to the community every day.  Resources: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die – By Chip and Dan Heath Power of Moments  – By Chip and Dan Heath Rogue Water’s open letter to Erin Brockovich Sponsor:  Master Meter Inc delivers game-changing results for you across Finance, Customer Service, and Utility Operations. They offer an array of products to meet your utility’s needs. Check out their free ebook on financing smart water solutions here.  Show Notes: [5:30] The story how Erin Brockovich brought Water PIO and Rogue Water together [11:00] “We’re the defenders of public water.”The good people who work in water, they’re public servants and they don’t do it for the glory. They deserve to have their stories told and their actions defended.” [18:00] How communication is the key building block to establishing trust. [19:24] JD Power 2018 Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Survey insights. “It’s not rocket science. It’s about building relationship with your customers through communication.” [20:36] “A modest commitment of time and resources will get you an exponential benefit.” [21:25] Using your SWOT to plan your communication strategy. [24:21] Using communication as a tool to gain support for what needs to be done in the future. [24:40] “You really do have to explain that water is a product. You don’t just drink what falls from the sky.” [25:50] Educating your elected officials is vital for them to understand rates. [28:48] On treating the press like an ally and not the enemy. “It’s basic human nature. If you make my life easier for me, I’m probably going to give you the benefit of the doubt when something comes up down the line.” [29:07] Even if the press doesn’t use your story, you’re still winning because you’re building a relationship and that you’re there with information and will be responsive. [29:40] “If you run and hid and go dark, especially during a crisis, you’re only hurting yourself because people will fill in the gaps themselves.” [31:00] Create the situation where your customers and the press are coming to you first because you have an established presence. [34:00] If you’re communicating regularly you’re going to be in a much better place when a crisis hits. [34:35] George Hawkins as a case study on how being available to the press was a key part of the rebrand. [36:30]Perception vs Reality based on the Corona Environmental Study presented at the 2018 Utilities Management Conference. [39:20] Tips on how to get more eyeballs on your messaging to be the primary source of information. [40:05] Bill stuffers–an oldie but goodie. [41:30] Mixing digital communication with traditional face to face public engagement and outreach. [45:45] Using mail house targeting technology to get the most bang for your buck with direct mail. [46:30] Journalists are doing more with less. The bureaus are bare boned. Utilities need to capitalize on this by providing compelling stories journalists may not have previously considered. [48:10] Annual reports are your opportunity to show what you’ve been doing to your stakeholders which may be very important when the time comes for capital improvement projects. [50:35] “Communication is an operation just like a water or sewer operation in your shop.” [52:52] The importance of building relationships doesn’t only reside with the water provider/customer relationship. The most important relationship is between the communicator and the water provider staff so they understand what your ultimate end goal is–to protect the integrity of the invaluable service they provide to the community every day. [54:35] Combating the “You don’t know anything, you’re just the PR guy.” [56:18] Train your field staff to be on camera. Secret insider: Sometimes the press will be more lenient with a person that isn’t in the communication field. [57:48] Capture your “gee-whiz” moments. Mike talks about how he turned a main break into a positive front page highlight of employees in the Washington Post. [1:02:20] “We’re so immersed in what we do we lose touch with what will be impactful to our audience. You have to put yourself in your customer’s shoes.” [1:05:00] Your biosolids may be on fleek but your customers won’t care unless you make it about them. [1:06:40] How to overcome communication fears when you’ve been burned in the past. You would never let other areas of operation stop improving, don’t stop improving in your communication efforts. [1:09:24] Your customers perceive water quality differently than you do.  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Mike McGill has spent his entire career as a communicator, having served as a leader in journalism and public relations.  Before founding WaterPIO, a communications firm specifically aimed at helping water and sewer operations, he served as a Director of Communications and Customer Service for water utilities for a dozen years including  Chief Communications Officer for Cape Fear Public Utility Authority in Wilmington, North Carolina; Director of Customer Relations and Communications for Loudoun Water in Loudoun County, Virginia; and Public Affairs Coordinator for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), a utility that serves nearly two million people in the Washington, DC Area. Mike is a graduate of Syracuse University and began his career as a news producer in CNN’s Washington bureau, and as the News Planning Editor for WUSA-TV in Washington, DC. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>[57:48] Capture your “gee-whiz” moments. Mike talks about how he turned a main break into a positive front page highlight of employees.</li> <li>[19:24] The 2018 JD Power Water Utility Residential Customer Survey showed that even a modest commitment of time and resources will get you an exponential benefit.</li> <li>[52:52] The importance of building relationships doesn’t only reside with the water provider/customer relationship. The most important relationship is between the communicator and the water provider staff so they understand what your ultimate end goal is–to protect the integrity of the invaluable service they provide to the community every day.</li> </ol> Resources: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400064287/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1400064287&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=8dc43dbf7d820b55c79565f90d7ea3a5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die</a> – By Chip and Dan Heath <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501147765/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1501147765&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=376c1e6b082fa0b27b581f36658c06c3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Power of Moments</a>  – By Chip and Dan Heath Rogue Water’s <a href="https://medium.com/@roguewater/an-open-letter-to-erin-brokovich-f17835de332a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">open letter</a> to Erin Brockovich Sponsor: <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/mastermeter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Master Meter Inc</a> delivers game-changing results for you across Finance, Customer Service, and Utility Operations. They offer an array of products to meet your utility’s needs. Check out their free ebook on financing smart water solutions<a href="http://water.mastermeter.com/the-essential-guide-to-financing-smart-water-projects?__hstc=6103788.f03d2f8a133aa3e4d2ccf03cb7dc7f64.1514478942066.1514574040855.1516406742564.5&amp;__hssc=6103788.4.1516406742564&amp;__hsfp=82336232" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here. </a> Show Notes: [5:30] The story how Erin Brockovich brought Water PIO and Rogue Water together [11:00] “We’re the defenders of public water.”The good people who work in water, they’re public servants and they don’t do it for the glory. They deserve to have their stories told and their actions defended.” [18:00] How communication is the key building block to establishing trust. [19:24] JD Power 2018 Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Survey insights. “It’s not rocket science. It’s about building relationship with your customers through communication.” [20:36] “A modest commitment of time and resources will get you an exponential benefit.” [21:25] Using your SWOT to plan your communication strategy. [24:21] Using communication as a tool to gain support for what needs to be done in the future. [24:40] “You really do have to explain that water is a product. You don’t just drink what falls from the sky.” [25:50] Educating your elected officials is vital for them to understand rates. [28:48] On treating the press like an ally and not the enemy. “It’s basic human nature. If you make my life easier for me, I’m probably going to give you the benefit of the doubt when something comes up down the line.” [29:07] Even if the press doesn’t use your story, you’re still winning because you’re building a relationship and that you’re there with information and will be responsive. [29:40] “If you run and hid and go dark, especially during a crisis, you’re only hurting yourself because people will fill in the gaps themselves.” [31:00] Create the situation where your customers and the press are coming to you first because you have an established presence. [34:00] If you’re communicating regularly you’re going to be in a much better place when a crisis hits. [34:35] George Hawkins as a case study on how being available to the press was a key part of the rebrand. [36:30]Perception vs Reality based on the Corona Environmental Study presented at the 2018 Utilities Management Conference. [39:20] Tips on how to get more eyeballs on your messaging to be the primary source of information. [40:05] Bill stuffers–an oldie but goodie. [41:30] Mixing digital communication with traditional face to face public engagement and outreach. [45:45] Using mail house targeting technology to get the most bang for your buck with direct mail. [46:30] Journalists are doing more with less. The bureaus are bare boned. Utilities need to capitalize on this by providing compelling stories journalists may not have previously considered. [48:10] Annual reports are your opportunity to show what you’ve been doing to your stakeholders which may be very important when the time comes for capital improvement projects. [50:35] “Communication is an operation just like a water or sewer operation in your shop.” [52:52] The importance of building relationships doesn’t only reside with the water provider/customer relationship. The most important relationship is between the communicator and the water provider staff so they understand what your ultimate end goal is–to protect the integrity of the invaluable service they provide to the community every day. [54:35] Combating the “You don’t know anything, you’re just the PR guy.” [56:18] Train your field staff to be on camera. Secret insider: Sometimes the press will be more lenient with a person that isn’t in the communication field. [57:48] Capture your “gee-whiz” moments. Mike talks about how he turned a main break into a positive front page highlight of employees in the Washington Post. [1:02:20] “We’re so immersed in what we do we lose touch with what will be impactful to our audience. You have to put yourself in your customer’s shoes.” [1:05:00] Your biosolids may be on fleek but your customers won’t care unless you make it about them. [1:06:40] How to overcome communication fears when you’ve been burned in the past. You would never let other areas of operation stop improving, don’t stop improving in your communication efforts. [1:09:24] Your customers perceive water quality differently than you do. Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

016: Combating PR Crisis with PIO Pro Mike McGill, WaterPIO

George Hawkins is the President and Founder of Moonshot Missions, a non-profit enterprise that offers communities and utilities a choice: 1) to undertake an assessment to identify opportunities for improvements, or 2) to select from a list of model projects that have been field-tested in other communities. George Hawkins is the Harvard educated Founder of Moonshot LLC and just recently, Moonshot Partners, a Professor of Practice at American University and former head of DC Water. He facilitated the transformation of DC Water and Sewer Authority to DC Water and oversaw taking DC Water from some very challenging times to the national and international reputation it now enjoys. George wants to help other enterprises tell their story, create replicable roadmaps and reach their dreams.  Sponsor: This episode is powered by Rogue Water, the public communication company founded by the H2duO, Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley. Rogue Water is dedicated to revolutionizing the water industry—one person, one story, one experience at a time. We are award-winning communication professionals with a decade of experience working in water utilities moving the needle forward in communication, outreach, and education to build stronger relationships between the water sector and the public it serves. These relationships serve as the foundation needed to make the necessary changes that create a sustainable water future for all. Are you ready to go Rogue? Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

George Hawkins is the President and Founder of Moonshot Missions, a non-profit enterprise that offers communities and utilities a choice: 1) to undertake an assessment to identify opportunities for improvements, or 2) to select from a list of model projects that have been field-tested in other communities. George Hawkins is the Harvard educated Founder of Moonshot LLC and just recently, Moonshot Partners, a Professor of Practice at American University and former head of DC Water. He facilitated the transformation of DC Water and Sewer Authority to DC Water and oversaw taking DC Water from some very challenging times to the national and international reputation it now enjoys. George wants to help other enterprises tell their story, create replicable roadmaps and reach their dreams. Sponsor: This episode is powered by<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue Water</a>, the public communication company founded by the H2duO, Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley.<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue Water</a> is dedicated to revolutionizing the water industry—one person, one story, one experience at a time. We are award-winning communication professionals with a decade of experience working in water utilities moving the needle forward in communication, outreach, and education to build stronger relationships between the water sector and the public it serves. These relationships serve as the foundation needed to make the necessary changes that create a sustainable water future for all. Are you ready to go<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue</a>? Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us<a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> @THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

61: Making Water the Catalyst for Community Transformation with George Hawkins

Jorge Rodriguez

Jorge Rodriguez is a passionate (obsessive?) water guy. He is a Zillenial that refuses to acknowledge he’s a millennial. Jorge was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is a professional civil engineer and program manager with 14 years of experience in water and sewer infrastructure projects. Over the last 11 years, he’s been working with a company called Pure Technologies, a Xylem company. He’s enjoyed working with water and wastewater utilities all over the U.S. and some other countries. His role is to help them understand the condition of their large pressurized transmission systems and make decisions on renewing or replacing such assets. Top Takeaways: Use your excitement and passion for the industry to be what attracts and retains the next generation of water professionals. Good ideas come from everywhere. You may be an engineer and not a communicator on paper, but your ideas can help communicate the value of water. Share them. We all take water for granted, even those of us who work in the industry. Internal communication is just as important as your external outreach program. Remind your people the vital role they play in delivering the most important services directly impacting public health. Show Notes: [5:30] Jorge, like many of us, just fell into the water industry. Hear this story. [9:20] Hear some of the ways Jorge is engaging with the young professionals on his team. [14:50] Jorge talks about why it is so important to spend the time to make connections with our customers and to put ourselves in their shoes. [16:55] How they work with underserved communities. [22:00] Jorge talks about attracting and retaining the next gen. [26:10] Jorge talks about partnering with utilities in their communication and outreach efforts. He gives some examples of their informal education program including a hydraulic model and quizzing people on their water source. [32:38] This one is for all the water nerd spouses out there. Thank you for putting up with our water nerdness. [35:24] Jorge gives us his personal take on what it was like going through Hurricane Maria with family on the island. [40:58] We ask Jorge about his favorite conference experience in 2018. Hear why he chose a non-water conference and the power of being a water nerd amongst non-water folks. Resources: Alone Together: Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond by Christian Williams Sponsor: This episode is powered by Rogue Water, the public communication company founded by the H2duO, Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley. Rogue Water is dedicated to revolutionizing the water industry—one person, one story, one experience at a time. We are award-winning communication professionals with a decade of experience working in water utilities moving the needle forward in communication, outreach, and education to build stronger relationships between the water sector and the public it serves. These relationships serve as the foundation needed to make the necessary changes that create a sustainable water future for all. Are you ready to go Rogue? Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

Jorge Rodriguez is a passionate (obsessive?) water guy. He is a Zillenial that refuses to acknowledge he’s a millennial. Jorge was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is a professional civil engineer and program manager with 14 years of experience in water and sewer infrastructure projects. Over the last 11 years, he’s been working with a company called Pure Technologies, a Xylem company. He’s enjoyed working with water and wastewater utilities all over the U.S. and some other countries. His role is to help them understand the condition of their large pressurized transmission systems and make decisions on renewing or replacing such assets. Top Takeaways: Use your excitement and passion for the industry to be what attracts and retains the next generation of water professionals. Good ideas come from everywhere. You may be an engineer and not a communicator on paper, but your ideas can help communicate the value of water. Share them. We all take water for granted, even those of us who work in the industry. Internal communication is just as important as your external outreach program. Remind your people the vital role they play in delivering the most important services directly impacting public health. Show Notes: [5:30] Jorge, like many of us, just fell into the water industry. Hear this story. [9:20] Hear some of the ways Jorge is engaging with the young professionals on his team. [14:50] Jorge talks about why it is so important to spend the time to make connections with our customers and to put ourselves in their shoes. [16:55] How they work with underserved communities. [22:00] Jorge talks about attracting and retaining the next gen. [26:10] Jorge talks about partnering with utilities in their communication and outreach efforts. He gives some examples of their informal education program including a hydraulic model and quizzing people on their water source. [32:38] This one is for all the water nerd spouses out there. Thank you for putting up with our water nerdness. [35:24] Jorge gives us his personal take on what it was like going through Hurricane Maria with family on the island. [40:58] We ask Jorge about his favorite conference experience in 2018. Hear why he chose a non-water conference and the power of being a water nerd amongst non-water folks. Resources: Alone Together: Sailing Solo to Hawaii and Beyond by Christian Williams Sponsor: This episode is powered by <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rogue Water</a>, the public communication company founded by the H2duO, Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley. <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rogue Water</a> is dedicated to revolutionizing the water industry—one person, one story, one experience at a time. We are award-winning communication professionals with a decade of experience working in water utilities moving the needle forward in communication, outreach, and education to build stronger relationships between the water sector and the public it serves. These relationships serve as the foundation needed to make the necessary changes that create a sustainable water future for all. Are you ready to go <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rogue</a>? Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

044: Why the Value of Water Could be Your Key to Attracting and Retaining Talent with Jorge Rodriguez

Nathan Ohle currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), a national network of non-profits focused facilitating access to safe drinking water, sanitary wastewater disposal, economic development, and capacity building for rural and tribal communities across the country. RCAP’s work in assisting some of the smallest rural communities in the US helps to build capacity and opportunity in every state and territory across the country, and reached more than 3.2 million people last year. Nathan previously served as the Senior Advisor at the US Economic Development Administration (EDA), and served on the White House Rural Council, leading the engagement in place-based initiatives across the Department of Commerce. Nathan was recently selected as one of 40 Under 40 Rising Stars in economic development internationally. Nathan is a member of the One Water Council and the National Rural Housing Coalition, alongside several other non-profit volunteer activities. Additionally, Nathan has earned two bachelor’s degrees from Michigan State University, and lives in Falls Church, VA with his wife and two kids.Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes.Give us some love on Twitter or Instagram and tag us @roguewaterlab or by using #WaterInRealLifePodcastIf you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page.Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

Nathan Ohle currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), a national network of non-profits focused facilitating access to safe drinking water, sanitary wastewater disposal, economic development, and capacity building for rural and tribal communities across the country. RCAP’s work in assisting some of the smallest rural communities in the US helps to build capacity and opportunity in every state and territory across the country, and reached more than 3.2 million people last year. Nathan previously served as the Senior Advisor at the US Economic Development Administration (EDA), and served on the White House Rural Council, leading the engagement in place-based initiatives across the Department of Commerce. Nathan was recently selected as one of 40 Under 40 Rising Stars in economic development internationally. Nathan is a member of the One Water Council and the National Rural Housing Coalition, alongside several other non-profit volunteer activities. Additionally, Nathan has earned two bachelor’s degrees from Michigan State University, and lives in Falls Church, VA with his wife and two kids.Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes.Give us some love on Twitter or Instagram and tag us @roguewaterlab or by using #WaterInRealLifePodcastIf you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page.Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

95: Let’s Get Rural Y’all

Bio: Tom Hickmann is a civil engineer with over 25 years’ experience in wastewater, stormwater, water supply, water rights, system design, hydraulic modeling, utility management, and utility master planning. Mr. Hickmann is the City of Bend Engineering &amp; Infrastructure Planning Department Director focusing on oversight and implementation of all master plans and capital improvement projects. He has been credited with bringing innovative ideas to the City, solving challenging issues and overseeing record infrastructure growth in one of the country’s fastest growing cities. He is noted for championing a unique approach to big-ticket infrastructure decision making and bringing these concepts to engineering audiences nationwide. He introduced hydraulic modeling techniques and implemented an enhanced modeling analysis which has been used as an example for assessing future infrastructure needs of growing communities. We met Tom at the Utilities Management Conference in February 2018 and his presentation rocked us to our core. We had an incredible chat with him that we decided to break into two episodes. This is the second half of our conversation where we talk building a team that can implement community engagement, affordability, justifying technology, and the power of coffee (or beer) diplomacy. If you didn’t catch EP018 you’ll want to check that one out first. Top Takeaways:  [6:00] How they use Strength Finders and the DISC assessment to ensure they have the right people on their team and on each project. [7:50] “You have the best engineers in the world. Great—I’m glad you do. But I also need the best communicators in the world to get a project done and if I don’t have them I’m going to fail.” [8:34] Transparency begins by admitting the bias you’re bringing to the table. [13:40] New technology tools that can help with transparency. [18:33] Overcoming the fear related to dealing with the negative criticism. It’s ok. Just be like an elephant. Don’t take these things personally. Don’t let them get to your core. Learn to realize that maybe they’re saying that, not to get to you personally. Learn to step back and understand the issue you’re bringing forward is contentious. Not you, personally. [22:40] So you’ve embraced the need to communicate and engage—now what? How do you move you, your team, and your department forward? Tom explains “creative firing.” “Sometimes you have to help people move along. Sometimes that’s hard to do. Sometimes that takes a while but if you’re going to bring about change, you have to do it.” [25:22] “Look, you’re driving to a cliff and you don’t even know it. I’m trying to tell you to push on the brakes. You’re not going to do that. I know that. So I’m going to step off the bus.” [29:21] “Your job as directors is to raise leaders and you can’t raise a leader who isn’t operating in their strength.” [31:38] The issue of affordability and how they realigned their utility master plan to align with their financial master plan to lessen the impact on rates. [43:21] Justifying innovation in the water sector. [50:55] Combining technology, with face to face, and a little coffee (or beer) diplomacy. The incredible story of how Tom turned his biggest opponent into his biggest advocate by investing in some old-fashioned face time.  Resources: Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration— Ed Catmull Plain, Honest Men — Richard Beeman On Thinking Institutionally — Hugh Heclo Public Process in Utility Master Planning — Thesis by Tom Hickmann, P.E. Sponsor:  Master Meter Inc delivers game-changing results for you across Finance, Customer Service, and Utility Operations. They offer an array of products to meet your utility’s needs. Check out their free ebook on financing smart water solutions here.  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Bio: Tom Hickmann is a civil engineer with over 25 years’ experience in wastewater, stormwater, water supply, water rights, system design, hydraulic modeling, utility management, and utility master planning. Mr. Hickmann is the City of Bend Engineering &amp; Infrastructure Planning Department Director focusing on oversight and implementation of all master plans and capital improvement projects. He has been credited with bringing innovative ideas to the City, solving challenging issues and overseeing record infrastructure growth in one of the country’s fastest growing cities. He is noted for championing a unique approach to big-ticket infrastructure decision making and bringing these concepts to engineering audiences nationwide. He introduced hydraulic modeling techniques and implemented an enhanced modeling analysis which has been used as an example for assessing future infrastructure needs of growing communities. We met Tom at the Utilities Management Conference in February 2018 and his presentation rocked us to our core. We had an incredible chat with him that we decided to break into two episodes. This is the second half of our conversation where we talk building a team that can implement community engagement, affordability, justifying technology, and the power of coffee (or beer) diplomacy. If you didn’t catch EP018 you’ll want to check that one out first. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>[6:00] How they use Strength Finders and the DISC assessment to ensure they have the right people on their team and on each project.</li> <li>[7:50] “You have the best engineers in the world. Great—I’m glad you do. But I also need the best communicators in the world to get a project done and if I don’t have them I’m going to fail.”</li> <li>[8:34] Transparency begins by admitting the bias you’re bringing to the table.</li> <li>[13:40] New technology tools that can help with transparency.</li> <li>[18:33] Overcoming the fear related to dealing with the negative criticism. It’s ok. Just be like an elephant. Don’t take these things personally. Don’t let them get to your core. Learn to realize that maybe they’re saying that, not to get to you personally. Learn to step back and understand the issue you’re bringing forward is contentious. Not you, personally.</li> <li>[22:40] So you’ve embraced the need to communicate and engage—now what? How do you move you, your team, and your department forward? Tom explains “creative firing.” “Sometimes you have to help people move along. Sometimes that’s hard to do. Sometimes that takes a while but if you’re going to bring about change, you have to do it.”</li> <li>[25:22] “Look, you’re driving to a cliff and you don’t even know it. I’m trying to tell you to push on the brakes. You’re not going to do that. I know that. So I’m going to step off the bus.”</li> <li>[29:21] “Your job as directors is to raise leaders and you can’t raise a leader who isn’t operating in their strength.”</li> <li>[31:38] The issue of affordability and how they realigned their utility master plan to align with their financial master plan to lessen the impact on rates.</li> <li>[43:21] Justifying innovation in the water sector.</li> <li>[50:55] Combining technology, with face to face, and a little coffee (or beer) diplomacy. The incredible story of how Tom turned his biggest opponent into his biggest advocate by investing in some old-fashioned face time.</li> </ol> Resources: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812993012/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0812993012&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=eada40e28a75973c91f1fbae14e9a239" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration</a>— Ed Catmull <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812976843/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0812976843&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=5af2f6191290f1e997646acb0031bf0c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plain, Honest Men</a> — Richard Beeman <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0199946000/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0199946000&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=d0703a5dc74db61ca8699514bd77f5e2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Thinking Institutionally</a> — Hugh Heclo <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Hickman-Capstone-Final.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Public Process in Utility Master Planning</a> — Thesis by Tom Hickmann, P.E. Sponsor: <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/mastermeter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Master Meter Inc</a> delivers game-changing results for you across Finance, Customer Service, and Utility Operations. They offer an array of products to meet your utility’s needs. Check out their free ebook on financing smart water solutions<a href="http://water.mastermeter.com/the-essential-guide-to-financing-smart-water-projects?__hstc=6103788.f03d2f8a133aa3e4d2ccf03cb7dc7f64.1514478942066.1514574040855.1516406742564.5&amp;__hssc=6103788.4.1516406742564&amp;__hsfp=82336232" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here.</a> Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

019: Part 2- A Case Study in Revolutionizing Community Engagement in Utility Master Planning

Greg Wukasch, our mentor, previous speaker at Catalyst 2018, guest on episode 3, and current manager of the External Affairs Department with the San Antonio Water System. Beginning in 1998, as an Education Coordinator and now as the External Affairs Manager. Greg really considers himself more of a “story teller” putting together water stories for citizens across the city he loves. When not talking H2O, this self-professed water nerd also enjoys talking strategic planning and corporate culture.   Greg and his team have developed impactful programs that have continued to create community between SAWS and the community it serves. These programs include the high school education program Impact.  Top Takeaways:  So many times we look to each other and compare, especially in the communication and education sphere of the water industry, to get ideas and standards. But affordability is different. Every city is different in terms of demographics, struggles, infrastructure issues, and services therefore affordable water issues will be unique.  Go where your people are already gathering. Go beyond the social media and take a more personalized approach with our customers, with your neighbors.  Greg’s two big leadership takeaways: have the courage to lead and it’s ok to make mistakes, just handle them well.  You can’t be afraid to try something out and if it doesn’t work in the moment don’t be afraid to change it at the last second to meet the needs of your people.   Resources: 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling Servant Leadership on Action by Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek Sponsor:  Utilities can now automate leak alerts with Dropcountr – the customer portal built for water utilities. Dropcountr helps customers manage their water use and avoid unwanted usage with leak alerts. The team works with the utility to set automated burst and continuous usage thresholds for their users, to help them avoid bill surprises, reduce customer calls and improve customer satisfaction. The leak alerts run in the background, your team never needs to think about them – it’s kind of like magic. Find out more about Dropcountr and the work they’re doing at theh2duo.com/dropcountr. Show notes: [4:55] Kick off with the affordability-Greg attended The most relevant and timely conference had ever been too.   [5:38] Affordability and affordable water issues are beginning to make their way to the top and to many different cities.  [6:20] Manny Teodoro kicked off the conference explaining the uniqueness of affordability.  [7:35] Greg will talk about SAWS affordability program, being gut punched by the opening speaker, and the outreach goals  they’ve reached.  [10:24] Greg was listening to intently to Manny Teodoro’s presentation he forgot to take notes at times. See his presentation notes here and follow twitter @MPTeodoro.  Words on Water episode.  [13:10] Greg breaks down SAWS humanized outreach strategy of “meeting them [customers] where they are”.  [17:53] Greg takes the program further-gives an example of trying something new adjusting as you go.  [20:35] We’re at a moment in the industry where the analytical side is meeting a social science side.  [24:56] Be an authentic leader, willing and wanting to be with our neighbors.  [26:13] A theme within the podcast about being authentic and being connected with your customers.  [27:24] Find your ambassadors to amplify your message.  [28:00] Closing down the conference with an impactful panel that includes industry professionals and advocates for the poor.  [31:51] Greg attended the global leadership summit-hear his takeaways and how he turns his learning into action.  [34:04] It takes Courage to lead. It takes courage to believe in a cause bigger than yourself. -Simon Sinek  [34:13] You must get comfortable taking risks. Fear has no place in your success equation. It takes courage to be a leader. -Carla Harris with Morgan Stanley  [34:50] “Things were going fine with our affordability group, why did you have to come in and try to do something bigger.” [35:28] Not being afraid to make mistakes. The road to success is paved in mistakes well handled. -Danny Meyer restaurateur  [38:39] Greg gives examples of taking action from the theory he learns at conferences and books.  [41:30] Arianne gets fired up: are you taking what you learn from conferences and summits back to staff and implementing the takeaways and action items?  [44:50] Knowledge hoarders  [45:02] Great leaders constantly learn and share the knowledge.  [46:15] Seth Godin’s blog inspired Stephanie.  “If you’re not working to changes minds, why are you here again?” [48:37] Greg’s quick encouragement to the H2duO.  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Greg Wukasch, our mentor, previous speaker at <a href="http://www.roguewatergroup.com/catalyst/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Catalyst 2018</a>, guest on <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/003-catalyst-mastermind-speaker-series-greg-wukasch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">episode 3</a>, and current manager of the External Affairs Department with the San Antonio Water System. Beginning in 1998, as an Education Coordinator and now as the External Affairs Manager. Greg really considers himself more of a “story teller” putting together water stories for citizens across the city he loves. When not talking H2O, this self-professed water nerd also enjoys talking strategic planning and corporate culture.   Greg and his team have developed impactful programs that have continued to create community between SAWS and the community it serves. These programs include the high school education program Impact. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>So many times we look to each other and compare, especially in the communication and education sphere of the water industry, to get ideas and standards. But affordability is different. Every city is different in terms of demographics, struggles, infrastructure issues, and services therefore affordable water issues will be unique. </li> <li>Go where your people are already gathering. Go beyond the social media and take a more personalized approach with our customers, with your neighbors. </li> <li>Greg’s two big leadership takeaways: have the courage to lead and it’s ok to make mistakes, just handle them well. </li> <li>You can’t be afraid to try something out and if it doesn’t work in the moment don’t be afraid to change it at the last second to meet the needs of your people. </li> </ol> Resources: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451627068/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1451627068&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=6b389f6200649c447dc55ba38f383049" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">4 Disciplines of Execution</a> by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/152309396X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=152309396X&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=2db349d9d851f261bb5cbc6def7700ee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Servant Leadership on Action</a> by Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591848016/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1591848016&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=1fcb5086c9b75b7b5f8d58083bc3f262" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leaders Eat Last</a> by Simon Sinek Sponsor: Utilities can now automate leak alerts with <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> – the customer portal built for water utilities. <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> helps customers manage their water use and avoid unwanted usage with leak alerts. The team works with the utility to set automated burst and continuous usage thresholds for their users, to help them avoid bill surprises, reduce customer calls and improve customer satisfaction. The leak alerts run in the background, your team never needs to think about them – it’s kind of like magic. Find out more about <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> and the work they’re doing at <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">theh2duo.com/dropcountr.</a> Show notes: [4:55] Kick off with the affordability-Greg attended The most relevant and timely conference had ever been too.   [5:38] Affordability and affordable water issues are beginning to make their way to the top and to many different cities. [6:20] Manny Teodoro kicked off the conference explaining the uniqueness of affordability. [7:35] Greg will talk about SAWS affordability program, being gut punched by the opening speaker, and the outreach goals  they’ve reached. [10:24] Greg was listening to intently to Manny Teodoro’s presentation he forgot to take notes at times. See his <a href="http://mannyteodoro.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">presentation notes</a> here and follow twitter @MPTeodoro.  <a href="https://wordsonwaterwef.com/2018/08/20/words-on-water-48-manny-teodoro-on-affordability-of-rates/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Words on Water episode</a>.  [13:10] Greg breaks down SAWS humanized outreach strategy of “meeting them [customers] where they are”. [17:53] Greg takes the program further-gives an example of trying something new adjusting as you go. [20:35] We’re at a moment in the industry where the analytical side is meeting a social science side. [24:56] Be an authentic leader, willing and wanting to be with our neighbors. [26:13] A theme within the podcast about being authentic and being connected with your customers. [27:24] Find your ambassadors to amplify your message. [28:00] Closing down the conference with an impactful panel that includes industry professionals and advocates for the poor. [31:51] Greg attended the global leadership summit-hear his takeaways and how he turns his learning into action. [34:04] It takes Courage to lead. It takes courage to believe in a cause bigger than yourself. -Simon Sinek [34:13] You must get comfortable taking risks. Fear has no place in your success equation. It takes courage to be a leader. -Carla Harris with Morgan Stanley [34:50] “Things were going fine with our affordability group, why did you have to come in and try to do something bigger.” [35:28] Not being afraid to make mistakes. The road to success is paved in mistakes well handled. -Danny Meyer restaurateur [38:39] Greg gives examples of taking action from the theory he learns at conferences and books. [41:30] Arianne gets fired up: are you taking what you learn from conferences and summits back to staff and implementing the takeaways and action items? [44:50] Knowledge hoarders [45:02] Great leaders constantly learn and share the knowledge. [46:15] Seth Godin’s blog inspired Stephanie. <blockquote>“If you’re not working to changes minds, why are you here again?”</blockquote> [48:37] Greg’s quick encouragement to the H2duO. Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

023: Affordability, leadership, and the impact of showing up with Greg Wukasch

Check out our guests’ full bios and episodes at:  EP018: Part 1. Tom Hickmann, P.E. EP019: Part 2. Tom Hickmann, P.E. EP014: Samantha Villegas, Savi PR EP011: Tom Ferguson, Imagine H2O  Top Takeaways:  Coffee/beer diplomacy is key to building relationships with your customers, especially your biggest opponents. Reveal, not conceal is key to building and maintaining trust with your community. Brand yourself like your customers have a choice in service. Effective storytelling is an incredibly powerful differentiator in the water sector.  Sponsor:  Utilities can now automate leak alerts with Dropcountr – the customer portal built for water utilities. Dropcountr helps customers manage their water use and avoid unwanted usage with leak alerts. The team works with the utility to set automated burst and continuous usage thresholds for their users, to help them avoid bill surprises, reduce customer calls and improve customer satisfaction. The leak alerts run in the background, your team never needs to think about them – it’s kind of like magic. Find out more about Dropcountr and the work they’re doing at theh2duo.com/dropcountr. Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Check out our guests’ full bios and episodes at: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/18/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EP018: Part 1. Tom Hickmann, P.E.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/19/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EP019: Part 2. Tom Hickmann, P.E.</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/14-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EP014: Samantha Villegas, Savi PR</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/11/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EP011: Tom Ferguson, Imagine H2O</a></li> </ul> Top Takeaways: <ul> <li>Coffee/beer diplomacy is key to building relationships with your customers, especially your biggest opponents.</li> <li>Reveal, not conceal is key to building and maintaining trust with your community. Brand yourself like your customers have a choice in service.</li> <li>Effective storytelling is an incredibly powerful differentiator in the water sector.</li> </ul> Sponsor: Utilities can now automate leak alerts with <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> – the customer portal built for water utilities. <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> helps customers manage their water use and avoid unwanted usage with leak alerts. The team works with the utility to set automated burst and continuous usage thresholds for their users, to help them avoid bill surprises, reduce customer calls and improve customer satisfaction. The leak alerts run in the background, your team never needs to think about them – it’s kind of like magic. Find out more about <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropcountr</a> and the work they’re doing at <a href="http://theh2duo.com/dropcountr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">theh2duo.com/dropcountr.</a> Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

031: The Bold is Gold Mashup. Do you have the Courage to be Bold?

Bio: Tom Hickmann is a civil engineer with over 25 years’ experience in wastewater, stormwater, water supply, water rights, system design, hydraulic modeling, utility management, and utility master planning. Mr. Hickmann is the City of Bend Engineering &amp; Infrastructure Planning Department Director focusing on oversight and implementation of all master plans and capital improvement projects. He has been credited with bringing innovative ideas to the City, solving challenging issues and overseeing record infrastructure growth in one of the country’s fastest growing cities. He is noted for championing a unique approach to big-ticket infrastructure decision making and bringing these concepts to engineering audiences nationwide. He introduced hydraulic modeling techniques and implemented an enhanced modeling analysis which has been used as an example for assessing future infrastructure needs of growing communities. We met Tom at the Utilities Management Conference in February 2018 and his presentation rocked us to our core. We had an incredible chat with him that we decided to break into two episodes. This is the first half of the conversation when we discuss how Tom set out on a mission to disprove the value of communication and public outreach through his thesis and ended up proving himself wrong. He then became not only a vocal proponent and advocate of public involvement in master planning, but also practiced what he preached and revolutionized the way his department conducts business. Top Takeaways:   [12:14] Hear Tom tell us about how he set out to debunk the need for communication and public involvement, proved himself wrong, and transformed his career.   [14:40] “I realized at that point in my career that my skill set had run out….The engineering part is fun and easy. The hard part is finding the support, the financial backing that you’re asking these people to make investments in.”   [17:15] “I had an obligation to citizens to engage them and to give them, quite frankly, a voice in democracy and that was a game changer for me. To realize all of these investments are an extension of our democracy. Yes, it’s technical but, fundamentally, citizens have a right to have a say so.”   [22:16] Population growth impacts how cities communicate with the public.   [27:26] Tom explains the value in regularly surveying your constituency. The survey questions can’t be generic, you have to dig deep to get a real sense of public trust and buy-in. Surveys aren’t enough either. It’s best to pair them with focus groups and interviews.   [34:51] Bold leadership and what it takes. “Leadership is situational, it’s not individual. There’s times when our skill sets and our natural abilities align with the moment, align with the point to lead. A good leader realizes they aren’t always the best person to lead on every issue.”   [40:08] A case study on the project that transformed him and everything he understands and believes. Hear how lack of public involvement landed them in district court, and how creating true public involvement, in the beginning, could have saved the city the incredible amount of time and money spent in delays and legal fees.   Resources: Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration— Ed Catmull Plain, Honest Men — Richard Beeman On Thinking Institutionally — Hugh Heclo Public Process in Utility Master Planning — Thesis by Tom Hickmann Sponsor:  Master Meter Inc delivers game-changing results for you across Finance, Customer Service, and Utility Operations. They offer an array of products to meet your utility’s needs. Check out their free ebook on financing smart water solutions here.  Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Bio: Tom Hickmann is a civil engineer with over 25 years’ experience in wastewater, stormwater, water supply, water rights, system design, hydraulic modeling, utility management, and utility master planning. Mr. Hickmann is the City of Bend Engineering &amp; Infrastructure Planning Department Director focusing on oversight and implementation of all master plans and capital improvement projects. He has been credited with bringing innovative ideas to the City, solving challenging issues and overseeing record infrastructure growth in one of the country’s fastest growing cities. He is noted for championing a unique approach to big-ticket infrastructure decision making and bringing these concepts to engineering audiences nationwide. He introduced hydraulic modeling techniques and implemented an enhanced modeling analysis which has been used as an example for assessing future infrastructure needs of growing communities. We met Tom at the Utilities Management Conference in February 2018 and his presentation rocked us to our core. We had an incredible chat with him that we decided to break into two episodes. This is the first half of the conversation when we discuss how Tom set out on a mission to disprove the value of communication and public outreach through his thesis and ended up proving himself wrong. He then became not only a vocal proponent and advocate of public involvement in master planning, but also practiced what he preached and revolutionized the way his department conducts business. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li> [12:14] Hear Tom tell us about how he set out to debunk the need for communication and public involvement, proved himself wrong, and transformed his career. </li> <li> [14:40] “I realized at that point in my career that my skill set had run out….The engineering part is fun and easy. The hard part is finding the support, the financial backing that you’re asking these people to make investments in.” </li> <li> [17:15] “I had an obligation to citizens to engage them and to give them, quite frankly, a voice in democracy and that was a game changer for me. To realize all of these investments are an extension of our democracy. Yes, it’s technical but, fundamentally, citizens have a right to have a say so.” </li> <li> [22:16] Population growth impacts how cities communicate with the public. </li> <li> [27:26] Tom explains the value in regularly surveying your constituency. The survey questions can’t be generic, you have to dig deep to get a real sense of public trust and buy-in. Surveys aren’t enough either. It’s best to pair them with focus groups and interviews. </li> <li> [34:51] Bold leadership and what it takes. “Leadership is situational, it’s not individual. There’s times when our skill sets and our natural abilities align with the moment, align with the point to lead. A good leader realizes they aren’t always the best person to lead on every issue.” </li> <li> [40:08] A case study on the project that transformed him and everything he understands and believes. Hear how lack of public involvement landed them in district court, and how creating true public involvement, in the beginning, could have saved the city the incredible amount of time and money spent in delays and legal fees. </li> </ol> Resources: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812993012/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0812993012&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=eada40e28a75973c91f1fbae14e9a239" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration</a>— Ed Catmull <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812976843/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0812976843&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=5af2f6191290f1e997646acb0031bf0c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plain, Honest Men</a> — Richard Beeman <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0199946000/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0199946000&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=f522ea37c8a045daf4a50b4d832523f8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Thinking Institutionally</a> — Hugh Heclo <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Hickman-Capstone-Final.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Public Process in Utility Master Planning</a> — Thesis by Tom Hickmann Sponsor: <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/mastermeter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Master Meter Inc</a> delivers game-changing results for you across Finance, Customer Service, and Utility Operations. They offer an array of products to meet your utility’s needs. Check out their free ebook on financing smart water solutions<a href="http://water.mastermeter.com/the-essential-guide-to-financing-smart-water-projects?__hstc=6103788.f03d2f8a133aa3e4d2ccf03cb7dc7f64.1514478942066.1514574040855.1516406742564.5&amp;__hssc=6103788.4.1516406742564&amp;__hsfp=82336232" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here.</a> Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

018: Part 1- A Case Study in Revolutionizing Community Engagement in Utility Master Planning

"If we're really going to close this water access gap in America, convince our Congress to reinvest in water infrastructure, have a water future that's truly hopeful, we're going to have to figure out how to fall in love with our water. How can we create a relationship with it, something that doesn't exist right now? It's little things that can help us fall in love again." — George McGraw"If we're going to serve these communities, and not only serve them but empower them, we have to enter that equation with a humility that can really only come from knowing exactly who the people in those communities are and where they're coming from." — George McGrawPlease consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes.Give us some love on Twitter or Instagram and tag us @roguewaterlab or by using #WaterInRealLifePodcastIf you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page.Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

"If we're really going to close this water access gap in America, convince our Congress to reinvest in water infrastructure, have a water future that's truly hopeful, we're going to have to figure out how to fall in love with our water. How can we create a relationship with it, something that doesn't exist right now? It's little things that can help us fall in love again." — George McGraw"If we're going to serve these communities, and not only serve them but empower them, we have to enter that equation with a humility that can really only come from knowing exactly who the people in those communities are and where they're coming from." — George McGrawPlease consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher. This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes.Give us some love on Twitter or Instagram and tag us @roguewaterlab or by using #WaterInRealLifePodcastIf you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page.Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

94: Time to DIGDEEP into the US Water Crisis: Closing the Access Gap with George McGraw

Julie Nahrgang

Julie Nahrgang is the Executive Director of the Water Environment Association of Texas and Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies. Julie has worked and volunteered with WEAT since 2009. She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology from Trinity University in San Antonio and received a Lifetime Honorary Studentship to the Student Union at the London School of Economics. She has worked with nonprofits since 2003 as an organizer, manager, program developer, legislative liaison, and currently as an Executive Director. As such, Julie oversees all of the legislative and regulatory changes pertaining to the clean water sector. She monitors bills, testified for and against wastewater related legislation, and represents WEAT and TACWA in a number of TCEQ and TWDB stakeholder areas. She is active with a number of community nonprofits and water aid organizations including the Gazelle Foundation. Top Takeaways:  We talk about workforce and the many initiatives WEAT and WEF are doing to tackle the issue, but Julie also raised a thoughtful point on how important language is to how we brand ourselves and market ourselves to the next gen of water professionals. The Pure Water Brew Alliance is such an important and unique way to open the conversation about reuse water with not only our customers but with the local entrepreneurs in our communities.  Julie gives us some behind the scenes intel on WEATs rebranding, her team’s process and WHY it was so important to them to do so.  We end with a discussion on building diversity in the water workforce, some of the great steps already being taken, and how we have to build our allies across demographics to truly build the movement towards change in the right direction.  Shownotes: [4:16] “Water chose me.” Julie’s water story. [6:03] What’s the biggest benefit to a career in wastewater that we aren’t communicating well enough? WEAT/TAWWA Operator Springboard Program, workforce, and innovation in resource recovery) [6:53] Hiring and maintaining a skilled workforce is foundational to the mandate and mission of protecting human health and the environment. [7:19] Brookings Institute publication, 2018  The national median age of the workforce across all sectors is about 42 years old. The median age of plant operators is 46 years old. Plant operators will retire in greater numbers in one fell swoop  The US Government Accountability Office:  Estimates 37% of all water utility workers and 31% of all wastewater utility workers will retire in the next decade.  [8:46] Tout the benefits of a career in the water sector:  Nationally there is a lower educational barrier to entry with comparatively higher wage rate in the 10th and 25% percentile meaning the vast majority of jobs in our sector pay a more livable wage than other sectors. We offer careers that are somewhat buffered from external shocks. Everyone will always need clean water services. Be a part of something bigger than yourself. We are THE enterprise. You’re protecting human health and the environment.  [11:35] The evolution of the semantics around wastewater treatment, it’s no longer waste, it’s resource recovery plants. The folks that work there aren’t wastewater operators, they’re clean water workers. [12:19] A power plant isn’t called a coal plant, it’s called a power plant because of what it produces. Our plants produce clean water and they recover resources so we need to be intentional about the language we use because it also goes back to how we market ourselves and these careers. [14:16] Operator Springboard Program, WEAT/WEF, developed in the YP group at the WEF level by some Texas. Three-pronged approach, high school curriculum program, paid operator internship program, and veterans apprenticeship program.  [15:35] Prepares high school kids to take their class D upon graduation and graduate with that license to make them employable. They also have a direct relationship with the city of Houston to create a direct pipeline of work opportunities. [16:22] They’ve begun creating those relationships, had a group of high schoolers tour the exhibit floor at Texas Water and it was very well received by students. [18:39] The Water Academy at Tarrant County College, a partnership with TCC and Trinity River Authority. It offers classes, educational opportunities and paid internship opportunities.   [20:05] Tyler Community College will offer continuing education courses, build the relationship while they also build a similar water academy there. Communication and clean water: [23:10] It used to be that if we were cleaning the water we were doing our job and no one needed to say anything about it. If we’re having to clean water we’re therefore saying that people make the water dirty, and yet there is a stigma around talking about it.  [26:02] There has been the move towards destigmatizing the clean water industry, talking about the infrastructure and communicating to the public. We’ve come to understand that we have to do this if we hope to get anywhere in regards to policy and funding.  Across the globe, it’s been recognized that offering sanitation services is a defining factor of being a developed nation, and yet in the US, we’ve only just started to get on board with communicating that publicly as a vital public service to human health. The sector is undervalued because it’s NOT talked about and because of the stigma around the work they do.  [31:41] Pure Water Brew Alliance is really the perfect threefold demonstration tool for those 21 and above so communicate the incredible technology available that allows for direct potable reuse as a safe water supply source, the one water ethic in that all water is just one water, and a little about resource recovery plants and the delicate treatment process. [38:16] Rebranding a member association. The clean water sector is innovative and doing rad things. They wanted a mark and a website that reflected that not only because that’s what they are but because that’s how they want to market themselves to members.  [40:45] One piece of advice is to be imaginative…you don’t have to have Texas in your logo just because you always have or because everyone else in your space does. Create a mark that represents where you want to go or that differentiates your organization.  [43:44] Women, diversity in water. Julie feels encouraged by the fact that the question of how to build more diversity in the workforce is being asked across the sector, not just within certain groups. Learn about the InFlow program of WEF…the outreach program from the clean water side to historically black universities and colleges.  [47:04] Women side…we can support each other by making sure many different voices are being heard on conference panels, we can support each other through industry events, etc.  Resources: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward Sponsor: This episode is powered by Rogue Water, the public communication company founded by the H2duO, Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley. Rogue Water is dedicated to revolutionizing the water industry—one person, one story, one experience at a time. We are award-winning communication professionals with a decade of experience working in water utilities moving the needle forward in communication, outreach, and education to build stronger relationships between the water sector and the public it serves. These relationships serve as the foundation needed to make the necessary changes that create a sustainable water future for all. Are you ready to go Rogue? Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

Julie Nahrgang is the Executive Director of the <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/WIRL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water Environment Association of Texas</a> and <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies</a>. Julie has worked and volunteered with WEAT since 2009. She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology from Trinity University in San Antonio and received a Lifetime Honorary Studentship to the Student Union at the London School of Economics. She has worked with nonprofits since 2003 as an organizer, manager, program developer, legislative liaison, and currently as an Executive Director. As such, Julie oversees all of the legislative and regulatory changes pertaining to the clean water sector. She monitors bills, testified for and against wastewater related legislation, and represents WEAT and TACWA in a number of TCEQ and TWDB stakeholder areas. She is active with a number of community nonprofits and water aid organizations including the Gazelle Foundation. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>We talk about workforce and the many initiatives WEAT and WEF are doing to tackle the issue, but Julie also raised a thoughtful point on how important language is to how we brand ourselves and market ourselves to the next gen of water professionals.</li> <li>The Pure Water Brew Alliance is such an important and unique way to open the conversation about reuse water with not only our customers but with the local entrepreneurs in our communities. </li> <li>Julie gives us some behind the scenes intel on WEATs rebranding, her team’s process and WHY it was so important to them to do so. </li> <li>We end with a discussion on building diversity in the water workforce, some of the great steps already being taken, and how we have to build our allies across demographics to truly build the movement towards change in the right direction.</li> </ol> Shownotes: [4:16] “Water chose me.” Julie’s water story. [6:03] What’s the biggest benefit to a career in wastewater that we aren’t communicating well enough? WEAT/TAWWA Operator Springboard Program, workforce, and innovation in resource recovery) [6:53] Hiring and maintaining a skilled workforce is foundational to the mandate and mission of protecting human health and the environment. [7:19] Brookings Institute publication, 2018 <ul> <li>The national median age of the workforce across all sectors is about 42 years old.</li> <li>The median age of plant operators is 46 years old.</li> <li>Plant operators will retire in greater numbers in one fell swoop</li> </ul> The US Government Accountability Office: <ul> <li>Estimates 37% of all water utility workers and 31% of all wastewater utility workers will retire in the next decade.</li> </ul> [8:46] Tout the benefits of a career in the water sector: <ul> <li>Nationally there is a lower educational barrier to entry with comparatively higher wage rate in the 10th and 25% percentile meaning the vast majority of jobs in our sector pay a more livable wage than other sectors.</li> <li>We offer careers that are somewhat buffered from external shocks. Everyone will always need clean water services.</li> <li>Be a part of something bigger than yourself. We are THE enterprise. You’re protecting human health and the environment.</li> </ul> [11:35] The evolution of the semantics around wastewater treatment, it’s no longer waste, it’s resource recovery plants. The folks that work there aren’t wastewater operators, they’re clean water workers. [12:19] A power plant isn’t called a coal plant, it’s called a power plant because of what it produces. Our plants produce clean water and they recover resources so we need to be intentional about the language we use because it also goes back to how we market ourselves and these careers. [14:16] Operator Springboard Program, WEAT/WEF, developed in the YP group at the WEF level by some Texas. Three-pronged approach, high school curriculum program, paid operator internship program, and veterans apprenticeship program. [15:35] Prepares high school kids to take their class D upon graduation and graduate with that license to make them employable. They also have a direct relationship with the city of Houston to create a direct pipeline of work opportunities. [16:22] They’ve begun creating those relationships, had a group of high schoolers tour the exhibit floor at Texas Water and it was very well received by students. [18:39] The Water Academy at Tarrant County College, a partnership with TCC and Trinity River Authority. It offers classes, educational opportunities and paid internship opportunities.   [20:05] Tyler Community College will offer continuing education courses, build the relationship while they also build a similar water academy there. Communication and clean water: [23:10] It used to be that if we were cleaning the water we were doing our job and no one needed to say anything about it. If we’re having to clean water we’re therefore saying that people make the water dirty, and yet there is a stigma around talking about it. [26:02] There has been the move towards destigmatizing the clean water industry, talking about the infrastructure and communicating to the public. We’ve come to understand that we have to do this if we hope to get anywhere in regards to policy and funding. Across the globe, it’s been recognized that offering sanitation services is a defining factor of being a developed nation, and yet in the US, we’ve only just started to get on board with communicating that publicly as a vital public service to human health. The sector is undervalued because it’s NOT talked about and because of the stigma around the work they do. [31:41] Pure Water Brew Alliance is really the perfect threefold demonstration tool for those 21 and above so communicate the incredible technology available that allows for direct potable reuse as a safe water supply source, the one water ethic in that all water is just one water, and a little about resource recovery plants and the delicate treatment process. [38:16] Rebranding a member association. The clean water sector is innovative and doing rad things. They wanted a mark and a website that reflected that not only because that’s what they are but because that’s how they want to market themselves to members. [40:45] One piece of advice is to be imaginative…you don’t have to have Texas in your logo just because you always have or because everyone else in your space does. Create a mark that represents where you want to go or that differentiates your organization. [43:44] Women, diversity in water. Julie feels encouraged by the fact that the question of how to build more diversity in the workforce is being asked across the sector, not just within certain groups. Learn about the InFlow program of WEF…the outreach program from the clean water side to historically black universities and colleges.  [47:04] Women side…we can support each other by making sure many different voices are being heard on conference panels, we can support each other through industry events, etc. Resources: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward Sponsor: This episode is powered by<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue Water</a>, the public communication company founded by the H2duO, Stephanie Zavala and Arianne Shipley.<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue Water</a> is dedicated to revolutionizing the water industry—one person, one story, one experience at a time. We are award-winning communication professionals with a decade of experience working in water utilities moving the needle forward in communication, outreach, and education to build stronger relationships between the water sector and the public it serves. These relationships serve as the foundation needed to make the necessary changes that create a sustainable water future for all. Are you ready to go<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/roguewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Rogue</a>? Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us<a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> @THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

59: Clean Water, Women of Water, and Beer: A Water Nerd Trifecta with Julie Nahrgang

Megan Glover

Megan Glover is the CoFounder and CEO of 120WaterAudit, a software and point of use company that provides solutions to Government Agencies, Public Water Systems, and School Districts to manage their lead in drinking water programs. A data and software veteran, prior to founding 120WaterAudit she spent nearly 15 years as an executive building and scaling various software as a service products in Indianapolis including Angie’s List, Compendium, Delivra, RICS Software, and DyKnow. With a passion and knowledge base for utilizing modern software technology to solve problems, 120WaterAudit provides modern software and tools necessary to solve some of our most complex drinking water challenges. Top Takeaways:  If the water industry wants technology and innovation that addresses the exact challenges facing the industry, it’s so important for them to give feedback to the companies seeking to create relevant solutions. To the startups, lose the mindset of “if you build it, they will come.” Solve simple problems that have been solved in other industries and apply them to the water industry. The more siloed data is, the less usable it is. The first step is getting your data house in order so that you can actually use it to make more effective decisions.  Show Notes: [10:18] Check out what it means to be a part of the Imagine H2O accelerator program. [14:00] Learn why it’s so important for utilities to give feedback to innovative companies to create more meaningful, relevant solutions. [16:03] Megan gives words of advice to startups seeking to enter the water space. [18:15] Megan shares some simple first steps for how utilities can manage data better. [23:27] How running lean can be detrimental to your organization and how technology and data management can value-add time back into your day. [26:58] What being an entrepreneur has taught Megan about falling outside of the normal timeline or template of life. [36:04] Megan talks about the importance of shifting the mindset about communication in the water sector to be customer-centric. Resources: Be Fearless by Jean Case Sponsor: Imagine H2O is a water technology accelerator empowering people to develop and deploy innovation to solve water challenges globally. You can be innovative about anything, from your hiring process to the way your organization deals with hexavalent chromium contamination. What matters is that you’re constantly trying to improve the way you’re doing things, and the better you are at innovation, the better you are at everything. Learn more about Imagine H2O, our accelerator and beta programs at imagineh2o.org.    Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

Megan Glover is the CoFounder and CEO of 120WaterAudit, a software and point of use company that provides solutions to Government Agencies, Public Water Systems, and School Districts to manage their lead in drinking water programs. A data and software veteran, prior to founding 120WaterAudit she spent nearly 15 years as an executive building and scaling various software as a service products in Indianapolis including Angie’s List, Compendium, Delivra, RICS Software, and DyKnow. With a passion and knowledge base for utilizing modern software technology to solve problems, 120WaterAudit provides modern software and tools necessary to solve some of our most complex drinking water challenges. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>If the water industry wants technology and innovation that addresses the exact challenges facing the industry, it’s so important for them to give feedback to the companies seeking to create relevant solutions.</li> <li>To the startups, lose the mindset of “if you build it, they will come.” Solve simple problems that have been solved in other industries and apply them to the water industry.</li> <li>The more siloed data is, the less usable it is. The first step is getting your data house in order so that you can actually use it to make more effective decisions.</li> </ol> Show Notes: [10:18] Check out what it means to be a part of the Imagine H2O accelerator program. [14:00] Learn why it’s so important for utilities to give feedback to innovative companies to create more meaningful, relevant solutions. [16:03] Megan gives words of advice to startups seeking to enter the water space. [18:15] Megan shares some simple first steps for how utilities can manage data better. [23:27] How running lean can be detrimental to your organization and how technology and data management can value-add time back into your day. [26:58] What being an entrepreneur has taught Megan about falling outside of the normal timeline or template of life. [36:04] Megan talks about the importance of shifting the mindset about communication in the water sector to be customer-centric. Resources: Be Fearless by Jean Case Sponsor: <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/imagineh2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Imagine H2O</a> is a water technology accelerator empowering people to develop and deploy innovation to solve water challenges globally. You can be innovative about anything, from your hiring process to the way your organization deals with hexavalent chromium contamination. What matters is that you’re constantly trying to improve the way you’re doing things, and the better you are at innovation, the better you are at everything. Learn more about <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/imagineh2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Imagine H2O</a>, our accelerator and beta programs at <a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/imagineh2o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">imagineh2o.org</a>.    Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.”

048: Bridging Talent and Tech with 2019 Imagine H2O Accelerator Winner, Megan Glover of 120WaterAudit

Todd Danielson’s social media information states his blood type is H2O positive because water is core to him, which is definitely important in his role as the Chief Utilities Executive for Avon Lake Regional Water. A 20-plus-year veteran of the industry and a professional engineer by training, Todd most enjoys asking, “what if,” and helping to implement better ways to serve the public, improve the environment, and spur the economy.  Top Takeaways:  Avon Lake Regional Water rolled out a residential combined sewer separation program, received feedback, and took action to work together with residents for implementation. In 26 months they’ve signed over 300 loan agreements with customers and committed well over 1 million dollars. Sometimes it’s one person, such as Samantha Villegas (Episode 14), who help form a deeper understanding for the value of communication. Other times it’s first hand experiences such as a frazil ice event. Either way, the value of proactive and consistent communication is evident.  No matter what, you’re going to spend time and money communicating. An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure. Put in the work up front and build that “relationship bank account” with your customers.  “If you only have a hammer, everything’s a nail.” A utility is like a toolbox and each of the departments are different tools. Some jobs you’ll need a hammer, while other jobs you need many tools. By working together, tools can be complementary. It’s important to knowing what each “tool” of the utility does and how best to use them.  Recognize the importance of what a utility can do for the economy of a community. As George Hawkins, famously states, “water utilities support all jobs”. Many areas are actively promoting development through water availability and the resiliency of their system.  Think business plan versus master plan. Incorporate other challenges utilities face such as fats, oils and grease, biogas, and energy. How does creating solutions for these challenges benefit customers, both residential and commercial? Whether you’re in the industry or still in school, one thing is certain, we want to make a difference. Providing water and wastewater services has made a HUGE difference, but its the status quo. In order to make a difference, we must do more, such as partnering with schools, or becoming energy neutral, or reducing our carbon footprint. We must communicate what we’re doing to attract the younger workforce. Utility affordability is a very real issue. What are the intended outcomes for an affordability program? Do customers need a hand out or a hand up? Water use audits, leak repairs, and bill payment counseling are options being implemented in many cities. Never discount the partnerships that can form from these types of programs.  Keep your customers in your community and keep the community thriving. Metrics aren’t always statistical. Simply seeing customers using reusable water bottles is a success indicator. Being asked to give tours, increased enrollment in the local college’s water-related courses, an increase in applications for open positions, and of course an increase of social media engagement are all indicators for the value of water. If we don’t fail at times, then we aren’t pushing hard enough.   Resources: “Leading Change” by John Cotters “The Man in the Arena” Teddy Roosevelt  Sponsor:  Master Meter Inc delivers game-changing results for you across Finance, Customer Service, and Utility Operations. They offer an array of products to meet your utility’s needs. Check out their free ebook on financing smart water solutions here.   Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us @THE_H2duO or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast  If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Todd Danielson’s social media information states his blood type is H2O positive because water is core to him, which is definitely important in his role as the Chief Utilities Executive for Avon Lake Regional Water. A 20-plus-year veteran of the industry and a professional engineer by training, Todd most enjoys asking, “what if,” and helping to implement better ways to serve the public, improve the environment, and spur the economy. Top Takeaways: <ol> <li>Avon Lake Regional Water rolled out a residential combined sewer separation program, received feedback, and took action to work together with residents for implementation. In 26 months they’ve signed over 300 loan agreements with customers and committed well over 1 million dollars.</li> <li>Sometimes it’s one person, such as Samantha Villegas (<a href="https://www.theh2duo.com/14-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 14</a>), who help form a deeper understanding for the value of communication. Other times it’s first hand experiences such as a frazil ice event. Either way, the value of proactive and consistent communication is evident. </li> <li>No matter what, you’re going to spend time and money communicating. An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure. Put in the work up front and build that “relationship bank account” with your customers. </li> <li>“If you only have a hammer, everything’s a nail.” A utility is like a toolbox and each of the departments are different tools. Some jobs you’ll need a hammer, while other jobs you need many tools. By working together, tools can be complementary. It’s important to knowing what each “tool” of the utility does and how best to use them. </li> <li>Recognize the importance of what a utility can do for the economy of a community. As George Hawkins, famously states, “water utilities support all jobs”. Many areas are actively promoting development through water availability and the resiliency of their system. </li> <li>Think business plan versus master plan. Incorporate other challenges utilities face such as fats, oils and grease, biogas, and energy. How does creating solutions for these challenges benefit customers, both residential and commercial?</li> <li>Whether you’re in the industry or still in school, one thing is certain, we want to make a difference. Providing water and wastewater services has made a HUGE difference, but its the status quo. In order to make a difference, we must do more, such as partnering with schools, or becoming energy neutral, or reducing our carbon footprint. We must communicate what we’re doing to attract the younger workforce.</li> <li>Utility affordability is a very real issue. What are the intended outcomes for an affordability program? Do customers need a hand out or a hand up? Water use audits, leak repairs, and bill payment counseling are options being implemented in many cities. Never discount the partnerships that can form from these types of programs. </li> <li>Keep your customers in your community and keep the community thriving.</li> <li>Metrics aren’t always statistical. Simply seeing customers using reusable water bottles is a success indicator. Being asked to give tours, increased enrollment in the local college’s water-related courses, an increase in applications for open positions, and of course an increase of social media engagement are all indicators for the value of water.</li> <li>If we don’t fail at times, then we aren’t pushing hard enough. </li> </ol> Resources: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1422186431/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1422186431&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=3de232c8499fe3ddd3e860b28f2c8dab" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“Leading Change”</a> by John Cotters <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JTED6SK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B01JTED6SK&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theh2duo-20&amp;linkId=dcf38151ea31d52b32c64870bca73a27" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“The Man in the Arena”</a> Teddy Roosevelt Sponsor: <a href="http://www.theh2duo.com/mastermeter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Master Meter Inc</a> delivers game-changing results for you across Finance, Customer Service, and Utility Operations. They offer an array of products to meet your utility’s needs. Check out their free ebook on financing smart water solutions <a href="http://water.mastermeter.com/the-essential-guide-to-financing-smart-water-projects?__hstc=6103788.f03d2f8a133aa3e4d2ccf03cb7dc7f64.1514478942066.1514574040855.1516406742564.5&amp;__hssc=6103788.4.1516406742564&amp;__hsfp=82336232" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here. </a> Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. We give a shoutout to everyone who rates the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. Give us some love on Twitter by tagging us <a href="https://twitter.com/the_h2duo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@THE_H2duO</a> or by using the #WaterInRealLifePodcast If you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Thank you for sharing some of your time with us. We know how precious those minutes are. Share your story, you never know who needs to hear it and remember, “Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” <h6>Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">16 CFR, Part 255</a>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</h6>

020: The Value of Water, More than a Metric

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