2 minute read
FWEA Chapter Corner: South Chapter Meeting: Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department Builds for the Future—Melody
Welcome to the FWEA Chapter Corner! The Member Relations Committee of the
Florida Water EnvironmentvAssociation hosts this article to celebrate the success of recent association chapter activities and inform members of upcoming events. To have information included for your chapter, send details to Melody Gonzalez at gonzalezm@bv.com. Melody Gonzalez
South Chapter Meeting: Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department Builds for the Future
Layla Llewelyn (right), the outgoing chapter chair, presents plaques to the speakers. On March 31, 2022, the FWEA South Chapter had the pleasure of hosting its first in-person event of the year at the 94th Aero Squadron Miami. With a full house, our chapter members enjoyed a presentation from Roy Coley, director, and Marisela Aranguiz, deputy director, of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD), about its capital improvement program and the strategy for “Building for Our Future.”
The evening started with a social networking hour where our members could finally meet and mingle again after a lengthy absence due to COVID-19. It was an exchange of camaraderie that was long overdue. Just before dinner, Layla Llewelyn, the outgoing South Chapter chair, took the opportunity to introduce the incoming 2022-2023 Steering Committee and Arturo Burbano, the new chapter chair. Layla introduced the WASD speakers prior to their presentations.
Mr. Coley started by explaining his vision for the department after being in his role for nearly a year. He seeks to actively collaborate with the water community to implement the improvements necessary to provide our community with the best quality of service in the most efficient way. It was clear that he has taken the time to understand the needs of employees, consultants, contractors, stakeholders, and partners to develop a comprehensive and inclusive strategy to support WASD project execution during the coming years.
Marisela Aranguiz (at the podium in the rear) makes her presentation during the dinner portion of the event. FWEA members at the event.
Next, Ms. Aranguiz covered some of the challenges the department has faced, valuable lessons learned, and achievements and successes over the past few years. She explained that WASD has a critical goal of improving the management of internal and external processes to minimize delays, increase efficiencies, and bring projects promptly to completion, wherever the community needs them.
After addressing important questions from the audience, each presenter received a recognition plaque for their contribution to FWEA’s mission of promoting a clean and sustainable water environment for our community.
The event was a great success and a celebration of our water and wastewater community coming together again, and we’re looking forward to a very productive year.
Melody Gonzalez, E.I., is the FWEA Member Relationships Committee chair and treasurer/ contact for the FWEA South Florida Chapter. S
