Chair-Elect Candidates

DOUG KLAMERUS

Doug has been an active member of AWWA for more than 20 years. He has performed various roles and served on MN AWWA committees, including the Young Professionals Committee (Chair), Scholarship Committee (Chair), SE District Operator School Planning Committee, Southeast District Trustee, MAC, MN Water Workforce Pilot, Annual Conference Fishing Event Coordinator and Annual Conference Silent Auction Coordinator.

Since attending his first Annual Conference, Doug has enjoyed the networking opportunities provided by MN AWWA. It has been one of the most valuable benefits of actively volunteering for the organization throughout the years. He continues to rely on this industry network in his current position as Manager of Construction & Maintenance: Water at Rochester Public Utilities where he has been employed for the last seven years. Prior to joining RPU, Doug worked as a consulting engineer for 15 years in the Twin Cities.

Doug and his wife Melissa have been married for 24 years and live in Hugo. They have three children Caroline (17), Charlotte (14) and Dalton (12). Doug enjoys spending his spare time hunting, fishing, attending dance recitals and sporting events where Doug has coached the kids’ softball and football teams.

As Chair, Doug’s primary objective would be to encourage others to become actively involved as volunteers in MN AWWA. In addition, he would work to strengthen the recognition of those individuals as well as the employers and organizations that donate time and resources towards the section. Building up each other by volunteering, supporting, recognizing and assisting where we can will continue to be critical to MN AWWAs success.

As Chair, Doug’s primary objective would be to encourage others to become actively involved as volunteers in MN AWWA.

If elected, Kyle would strive to expand YP reach and bolster the involvement of utility operators.

KYLE HINRICHS

When Kyle was in high school, he didn’t know what his next step was going to be, so his dad told him he needed to look into Water Environment Technologies. Kyle job-shadowed in Bird Island during career day and was hooked.

Kyle has been in the water industry for 20 years, most of which with Mankato, with the exception of a short stint as a seasonal with the Saint Cloud collections and distribution team. Nine years as a shift operator, two years working at Mankato’s Wastewater Plant, and the last eight years as the Superintendent of the Water Plant. He currently holds a Class A water and a Class C waste license.

Kyle’s involvement with the AWWA began in the hallways of the Redwood Falls Convention Center where he drew the short straw to be the Southwest District Trustee. Kyle had no clue what was in store, but is sure glad he agreed to take on the journey. Ever since agreeing to be an active participant in the AWWA, he has done his best to be involved as well as encouraged others to be involved in the district and provide variety for the continuing education at the district conferences, as well as try new ideas to expand access to other operators.

Kyle has been married to his wife Rachel for 16 years. She has been an amazing support throughout this crazy journey. They have two children, Lydia (10) and Emmett (7). In his spare time, Kyle coaches soccer for his son, he bicycles, fishes, deer hunts, and target shoots. As a family, the Hinrichs spend hot summer days canning and pickling food from our garden. If it can fit in a jar, they try it! Kyle is also the neighborhood handyman taking care of anything someone may need help with, from overflowing toilets to blowing snow or miscellaneous plumbing issues. If someone needs help, they know they can count on Kyle to help with anything. He is a member of Mankato’s Department of Public Safety, where he has been a firefighter for 11 years. Kyle joined before his daughter was born so he could show his kids that they need to support their community and be part of something bigger than themselves.

If elected, Kyle would strive to bring focus to: • Encourage volunteerism and increase involvement from members outside the metro area • Reach out to increase individual and utility memberships • Look into expanding the YP reach to bolster the involvement of utility operators Being nominated for this position is an honor and Kyle truly appreciates everyone that has been a mentor throughout his career. AWWA has been instrumental in building relationships with those in the industry these last eight years.