A Salute to Our Most Valuable Asset: Our Members

It’s difficult to believe that this is my final Chair’s message for the Breeze. It’s likely that every Chair before me has said something similar, but the leadership year goes by so quickly! Just as I feel that I’ve gotten up to speed on everything happening, it’s time to turn the gavel over to our next leader.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as Chair of the Minnesota Section AWWA. After years of participating as a Committee member, Council Chair, and Board Member, I wanted to help guide the Section forward through its continued growth, both financially and organizationally. This year, we focused on being more strategic as a Board and an organization. Our aim is to be more deliberate in setting goals and priorities so that the Section achieves its mission with the best use of its resources.

Our greatest resource isn’t revenue or conferences, operator schools or membership dues. Although each of these things are important, our greatest resource is YOU, our members. Members and active volunteers make the MN Section such a vibrant and successful Section of AWWA because you represent water professionals from such a diverse range of backgrounds and skill sets. And no matter what community, education level, age, ethnicity or economic circumstances, MN AWWA members are collectively passionate about providing safe water to our fellow Minnesotans.

I hope to see many of you at our AWWA Annual Conference in Duluth. As the former Conference Council Chair, the event in Duluth holds a special place in my heart and mind. I’ve always been proud of the quality technical presentations on our program, the array of products and services showcased by our vendors, not to mention the many activities and opportunities we offer for networking during the Conference. I know how hard our conference volunteers work to make the event a success, so I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to participate in our annual event.

I want to take a moment to thank the Executive Committee and the entire Board for their support and assistance during my tenure, and I would like to thank you, members, for the opportunity to serve as your

Section Chair. It’s been an honor leading the Section, and I know that our incoming Chair, Doug Klamerus, will do a great job next year and will carry our initiatives forward. Be well, be safe, and here’s to creating a better Minnesota through better water! •