What do you find most rewarding about your position with the city? I enjoy being part of a team that works together to create effective ways to solve problems, and maintain and repair the challenges we have within the distribution systems. I most of all enjoy creating a respectful, positive, safe, trained, constructive, and motivated group of employees, to help ensure they enjoy working for the Water Department both now, and in the future.
What is your role with Vallejo Water, and how long have you been with the city? I have been with the city for 20 years! I started in 2000 as a Public Works Maintenance Worker I/II, then was a Pipe Mechanic I/II, and currently, I’m a Utility Supervisor in the repair section of the Water Distribution Division. I supervise maintenance crews that repair and maintain Vallejo’s distribution system - we work on water mains and service breaks of various sizes, as well as install new service lines, meters, backflow devices, and fire hydrants. We also respond to customer water calls, underground service alerts markings for our water lines (USA’s), assist water engineering with contractor support for Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) and after-hours emergency calls.
What do you love about serving the Vallejo Community? Working for the Vallejo residents, and knowing I am helping provide an important service to the community is a great feeling. The citizens here have recognized and supported distribution staff by sending letters about crews’ tremendous service, or about an employee who went above and beyond to help resolve a problem. Knowing the quality and care it takes to maintain the water systems - it is remarkable.
What is your professional background? I’ve been in construction since my teens; my father was a concrete construction contractor for 45 years. My brothers and I
As an African-American, I am proud to celebrate our culture, not only this month but everyday. When I was first hired with the city, I was surprised by the few number of AfricanAmericans in Distribution! I was the 7th hired at the time, with the 8th hired a few months later. Fellow African-American City employees over the years, including Bert Wooden, Marcus Clark, Oni Brown, and Shedrick Wilson, were instrumental in shaping my career. It has been exciting to see the hiring of Water Director Michael Malone, and Public Works Director Terrance Davis, along with other African-American department heads, managers and employees within the city. It gives me a sense of pride when citizens we come into contact with tell us how proud they are to see someone who looks like them representing the City. These interactions often lead to them becoming interested in learning more about how to become part of the City’s team.
What are you most proud of?
What does a typical day look like for you? Every day is different - we can go from a scheduled job to all hands on deck due to an emergency, like a water main break. Having an aging distribution system makes it very challenging, and we stay very busy! Usually after crews have been dispatched, I will prepare work schedules for the week, assist crew leads with any unique situations that arise in the field, return calls to customers regarding water questions, discuss upcoming projects with the other water section supervisors and Distribution Superintendent Fred Mayo. I also meet with contractors for distribution projects and collaborate with Water Engineering for CIPs.
As we honor and celebrate Black History Month, how do you feel diversity, or a lack there of, has shaped your career?
worked every summer with his company, and after graduating high school I continued working for the company until I got the opportunity to work for a city.
Who, or what, inspired you to work in public service? My father. Once he knew I wanted to do something other than concrete construction, he suggested working for a city. He and I worked on construction projects with numerous cities and counties in the area, so when he encouraged me to apply, I did! I got my first opportunity with the Suisun City Public Works Department and, as they say, the rest is history.
During the 2014 Napa earthquake, the Water Distribution Division repaired over 50 main and service breaks! Coming together as a department, and a city, and working together alongside Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District to overcome such a disaster was a huge accomplishment. No matter what’s going on, the Water Department has dedicated itself to restore water service as efficiently and safely as possible.
What is one of the biggest challenges in your role? In the repair section there are so many things that require my attention, like evaluation, training staff, and assisting customers - I have to know when to delegate tasks. When it comes to our customers I want to keep their confidence and trust by striving to complete our tasks on time, and on schedule.
What advice do you have for those aspiring to enter into a career in public service? Public service is a rewarding career - knowing that what you do each and every day impacts the community, and provides a much-needed service, gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride within the community you serve.