October 17, 2024
2:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM CT / 11:00 AM PT / 7:00 PM GMT
Duration: 1 hour
Already registered? Click here to log in.
Summary
Underlying the criticality of major regulatory changes in the past five to 10 years for the water industry is the consistent issue of workforce hiring and retention. Middle and high school-aged children are rarely exposed to the career opportunities in the water sector, and when they are, most of those opportunities point them in the direction of colleges and universities to become consultants and engineers. But the water and wastewater industry also needs general managers, directors, operators, maintenance crews, field crews and more to function and maintain assets that are vital to public health and safety.
Trinity River Authority is one of the largest municipal water entities in the state of Texas. It has used its size and experience to identify pathways for both onboarding and retaining employees within its organization in the face of 400+ years of experience and knowledge that it expects to lose to retirement attrition.
In this webinar, we will look beyond the required licenses to perform the functions of water worker’s jobs. We will witness how operators in the water and wastewater industry can take advantage of skills development programs to further their learning and ready themselves for higher opportunities.
Speakers
Doug Short
Chief Information Officer
Trinity River Authority
Doug Short was hired as the first Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer for the Trinity River Authority of Texas in 2014. TRA is a conservation and reclamation district providing water and wastewater treatment, along with recreation and reservoir facilities, for municipalities within the nearly 18,000-square-mile Trinity River basin. He serves currently on the Texas Cybersecurity Council, the Water Environment Association of Texas Safety and Security Committee, and Chairs the Texas American Water Works Association Resiliency and Cybersecurity Committee. Doug holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and a graduate degree in Computer Resource and Information Management. He also has completed the following certification programs: University of North Carolina Certified Government Chief Information Officer, Global Information Assurance Certifications - Certified Information Security Manager, Cybersecurity Strategic Planning, Policy and Leadership, and Cybersecurity Critical Controls Implementation.
Doug got his start in information technology and cybersecurity in the US Air Force with 28-years’ service on active duty. His experience includes leading inspection teams for the National Security Agency and Air Intelligence Agency, command of the Air Force Cyber Operations School, coordinating and implementing cyber strategy throughout the Federal Government, and providing strategic analysis and recommendations to national leaders on cybersecurity issues and operations as a member of the Joint Staff.
John K. Bennett
Deputy Executive Manager, Northern Region
Trinity River Authority
John began his career with the Trinity River Authority of Texas at their 189MGD Central Regional Wastewater System as a seasonal grounds employee in 1986, the day after graduating high school. He worked as a maintenance mechanic at all levels until progressing to a plant manager of the 11.5 MGD Denton Creek Regional Wastewater System in 2003.
In 2019 he progressed to the Deputy Executive Manager of the Northern Region Operations Group where he has oversight of 5 regional wastewater plant responsible for serving a populating of 2.25 million people. One 88 MGD drinking water plant serving all or part of five cities with a population of 250,000.
He has several support groups under his guidance that assist with Engineering Services, Collection’s system repairs, Pretreatment and Laboratory services for 39 utilities. He has a TCEQ Class A Wastewater license and graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2016 with Bachelors in of Business Studies with a minor in Management.
Taylor Huynh
Executive Manager, Administrative Services
Trinity River Authority
Huynh received a Bachelor of Science degree in management of information systems from the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to joining the Trinity River Authority, Huynh served as case liaison, serving the Texas Rehabilitation Commission and as investment partner of an employment agency serving Tarrant and Dallas counties. She began working for TRA in January 2000 as personnel services manager and advanced to human resources manager in 2013 serving as Human Resources business partner and as project manager for information technology initiatives implementing and managing multiple enterprise software systems integration. She was promoted to her current position in December 2018.
She has held leadership positions as committee member of the Texas Water Conservation Association Diversity Subcommittee, United Way of Tarrant County Impact Council for funding and grants, Parent Teacher Association and Uplift Education volunteer. She is an active supporter of United Way and local partner agencies and serves as campaign advisor for the Authority’s annual charity donations committee. Huynh is an active member of the national Society of Human Resource Management, the Fort Worth Human Resources Management Association and a member of the International Association of HR Information Management. Huynh is a certified senior professional in Human Resources.