Another Successful Conference for the FWPCOA

In May, once again I witnessed the successful participation of the FWPCOA in the Florida Water Resources Conference. After months of preparatory work by the Association’s members and leaders, it was great to see our efforts come to fruition at the event.

As in years past, the Florida Water Resources Journal and the Florida Water Resources Conference annual members’ and trustees’ meetings held early Sunday morning helped kick off the event. It was great to learn that Holly Hanson had sold out the 255 exhibit booths slated for the conference and that the conference may realize some cost savings by holding the event at a hotel facility - this year the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. The Journal also announced exciting plans to offer a “green” version of the monthly magazine on the World Wide Web. Members will be able to choose what version they wish to receive – the traditional printed copy or the online copy.

Later Sunday morning, after the meetings, the Association officers met to build the FWPCOA’s exhibit. This was the first year for us to use the Association’s recently-purchased display, so there was some theorizing on how the display should come together. If all else fails, read the instructions!

We displayed Florida Water Professionals Week proclamations along with the historical items that Historical Committee Chairman Al Monteleone maintains. The Association provided brochures for the upcoming Fall State Short School and information packets on our training programs—and, of course, we had the requisite giveaways to hand out to publicize the association.

On Monday morning, the FWPCOA presented the workshop, “Water Distribution System Operator Licensing – Getting to Compliance.” The Association was honored and privileged to have two speakers from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection – Virginia Harmon from the Drinking Water Section and Ron McCulley from the Operator Certification Program. I sincerely appreciate the FDEP’s support of the workshop – thank you!

Both speakers gave excellent PowerPoint presentations on the water distribution system operator licensing rule that goes in effect May 1 of next year, covering the regulatory foundation for the rule, the licensing requirements for operators, the operation and maintenance activities that require oversight by a licensed distribution system operator, and the responsibilities of the licensed operator. I have posted a pdf file of the presentations on the FWPCOA Web site home page for interested readers.

At the Monday awards luncheon, I introduced the FWPCOA award recipients and Awards Committee Chairwoman Renee Moticker made the presentations. Mark Shoup from Region XI received the Honorary Life Member Award, Michael Caputi from Epoxytec International received the Pat Flangan Award, Christopher Cassidy from the City of Hollywood received the David B. Lee Award, and Region VII received the Richard P. Vogh Award.

Speaking of the Vogh Award, we were extremely fortunate to have Richard P. Vogh in attendance at the awards luncheon. The award, established in 1975, recognizes his time and energy promoting operator education and professionalism. All in attendance expressed their appreciation for Mr. Vogh through their applause.

Congratulations to FWPCOA Past President Tom King for his induction into the Florida Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers. FSSSSS chairman Tom Baber did a great job recounting Tom’s deeds that led to his induction.

For the second year, Tom was the master of ceremony for the conference door prize drawings. He expresses inexplicable glee when the drawing winner spins the “wheel of fortune” and lands on the $100 prize – something about wrecking Holly’s budget.

Tuesday afternoon, I moderated the Mixed Bag - Wastewater technical session that presented a variety of wastewater topics to an appreciative audience. Having worked on the paper review committee for the conference, it was rewarding to participate in the session. Tim Madhanagopal did a great job arranging this year’s technical sessions.

So all in all, it was another great conference, but it would not have been so without the efforts of persons who are committed to the event’s success. Thank you to Al Monteleone for hauling, setting up and staffing the FWPCOA’s booth; to the FWPCOA officers Rim Bishop, Ray Bordner, Jeff Poteet, and Tom King for their assistance at the event; to Shondra Neumeister for preparing the training information packets and staffing the booth; to Shirley Reaves for assisting at the technical sessions; and to the Florida Water Resources Journal for covering the event and the providing a trip down “memory lane” with their display of past Journals and Overflow magazines. Finally, a great, big “thank you” to the FWRC Executive Director Holly Hanson for orchestrating another successful conference!

Annual Fall State Short School

As a reminder, the FWPCOA will hold the annual Fall State Short School August 16-20 at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce. To view the school catalog, visit the FWPCOA Web site home page and click on the news item for the school.

For additional information, contact the FWPCOA Training Office by telephone at (321)383-9690 or by e-mail at training@fwpcoa.org.