The Straight Flush

Our guest host Becky Currall (HRSD) moderates a discussion on the joint Leadership Academy Committee, its origin, program, and long-term benefits for emerging leaders in the water industry. Guests for this discussion include Karlyn Owens (James City Service Authority), Marcello Forehand (Henrico County DPU), and Mike Wooden (Arcadis). Also, a special thanks to Chelsea Bajek (Henrico County DPU) for helping to organize and develop the podcast discussion.

We continue our Women Impacting Water series with Dana Hargrove (Hazen) and Adrianna Dimperio (Kennedy Jenks) as they speak with Sarah Baumgardner and Laura Schirmer (both with Western Virginia Water Authority) to learn more about their passion for innovative communications in the water sector.

We wrap-up the six-part "Career Pipeline" series that chronicles the path from undergraduate student to the student mentor. The intent is to provide students with a snapshot of the water industry, and to give professionals a peek into the mindset and perspectives of students, recent students, and their mentors.In this episode, our series co-hosts Holly Anne Matel (HRSD) and Mark Titcomb (Newport News Waterworks) sit down with Jessica Hou (Gannett Fleming) to hear about her full circle journey from a student to a working professional mentoring students in our industry organizations.

We continue the six-part "Career Pipeline" series that chronicles the path from undergraduate student to the student mentor. The intent is to provide students with a snapshot of the water industry, and to give professionals a peek into the mindset and perspectives of students, recent students, and their mentors.In this episode, our series co-hosts Holly Anne Matel (HRSD) and Mark Titcomb (Newport News Waterworks) sit down with Charles Bott (HRSD) to learn more about his approach to student mentorship, and the long-term benefits to the water industry.

We continue the six-part "Career Pipeline" series that chronicles the path from undergraduate student to the student mentor. The intent is to provide students with a snapshot of the water industry, and to give professionals a peek into the mindset and perspectives of students, recent students, and their mentors.In this episode, our series co-hosts Holly Anne Matel (HRSD) and Mark Titcomb (Newport News Waterworks) sit down with Merritt Ford (Western Virginia Water Authority) to hear his perspectives on the challenges and opportunities associated with returning to college after years of professional experience.

We continue the six-part "Career Pipeline" series that chronicles the path from undergraduate student to the student mentor. The intent is to provide students with a snapshot of the water industry, and to give professionals a peek into the mindset and perspectives of students, recent students, and their mentors.In this episode, our series co-hosts Holly Anne Matel (HRSD) and Mark Titcomb (Newport News Waterworks) chat with Matt Doyle (Fairfax County / George Mason University) to discuss his unique opportunities in preparing students for careers in the water industry.

We continue the six-part "Career Pipeline" series that chronicles the path from undergraduate student to the student mentor. The intent is to provide students with a snapshot of the water industry, and to give professionals a peek into the mindset and perspectives of students, recent students, and their mentors.In this episode, our series co-hosts Holly Anne Matel (HRSD) and Mark Titcomb (Newport News Waterworks) sit down with Brandon Kwa (Hazen) to hear about his burgeoning passion for the industry.

This episode kicks off the six-part "Career Pipeline" series that chronicles the path from undergraduate student to the student mentor. The intent is to provide students with a snapshot of the water industry, and to give professionals a peek into the mindset and perspectives of students, recent students, and their mentors.In this episode, our series co-hosts Holly Anne Matel (HRSD) and Mark Titcomb (Newport News Waterworks) sit down with David Kibbie (AECOM) to hear about his pathway into the water industry.

VWEA's WEF Delegate Felicia Glapion (AlexRenew) catches up with WEF's current president Howard Carter (City of Saco Water Resource Recovery Department) to discuss WEF's current priorities, and the importance of telling your "water story."

Our guest host Katya Bilyk (Hazen) facilitates a review and discussion of trends and potential futures of digital tools in wastewater treatment with guests Jeff Sparks (HRSD) and Bruce Johnson (Jacobs).

We continue our Women Impacting Water series with Dana Hargrove and Adrianna Dimperio as they sit down with Kim Stubbs to learn more about her career path and passion for connecting people.

We continue our Women Impacting Water series with Dana Hargrove and Adrianna Dimperio as they chat with Kathy Rabalais on her leadership approach as the Executive Director of the Virginia Water Environment Association.

The Straight Flush's Legacy Series continue's with Nina Andgren (Upper Occoquan Service Authority) chatting with Bob Forgione to reflect on his years of engineering excellence from New York to Virginia.

This episode concludes our three-part series reviewing the intangible benefits of collaborative delivery. In this episode, our series host Jim Good (Jacobs) sits down with Paul Delphos (Burns and McDonnell) and Bill M'Coy (HDR) to discuss the the engineers perspectives on the collaborative delivery process.

This episode continues our three-part series reviewing the intangible benefits of collaborative delivery. In this episode, our series host Jim Good (Jacobs) sits down with Alan Parent (PC Construction) and Alex Hango (PC Construction) to discuss the the contractors perspectives on the collaborative delivery process.

This episode kicks off a three-part series reviewing the intangible benefits of collaborative delivery. In this episode, our series host Jim Good (Jacobs) sits down with Kristina McGee (American Water) to discuss the the owners perspectives on the collaborative delivery process.

We continue The Straight Flush's Operations Series with a special episode focusing on VWEA/WEF's Operations Challenge! This episode has host Stacie Crandall (HRSD) hosting a discussion with Tim Scott (HRSD), Lacy Burnette (Western Virginia Water Authority), and Patrick Porto (HRSD) exploring their path to state and national Operations Challenge competitions and what it has done for their career.

We continue our Women Impacting Water series with Dana Hargrove and Adrianna Dimperio as they sit down with Sogol Gremi to hear about her immigration journey, and insightful experiences in the water sector.

Podcast co-hosts Ryan Hendrix and Evan Bowles take a few moments to update the listeners on the activities and successes over the first 30 episodes of The Straight Flush podcast.

VWEA's WEF Delegate Chris Tabor (Hazen and Sawyer) catches up with WEF's current President Ifetayo Venner (Arcadis) to review WEF's current priorities and new strategic plan.

The Straight Flush's Legacy Series continues with Jessica Hou (Gannett Fleming) sitting down with Lamont "Bud" Curtis (City of Newport News) to look back on his diverse career in consulting, politics, academia, and the public sector. We want to thank VWEA member Holly Anne Matel (HRSD) for recommending this podcast topic!

Our guest host Stephanie Spalding (HDR) moderates a discussion on the coming challenges associated with the treatment, disposal, and beneficial use of wastewater biosolids - specifically the uncertain future associated with PFAS regulation and viable treatment technologies. Guests for this discussion include Dave Parry (Jacobs), Mohammad "Dr. Mo" Abu-Orf (Hazen and Sawyer), and Bill Toffey (Effluential Synergies).

This is the final episode of a three-part series documenting the closure HRSD's Chesapeake-Elizabeth Treatment Plant in December 2021. In this episode, our series host Ryan Radspinner (HRSD) continues his conversation with Laura Kirkwood (HRSD),  Jeff Scarano (HRSD), and Michael Hess (HRSD) to discuss the design, stakeholder engagement, construction, and complex field measures taken to close the treatment plant. This episode was recorded in March 2022.

This is episode two of a three-part series documenting the closure HRSD's Chesapeake-Elizabeth Treatment Plant in December 2021. In this episode, our series host Ryan Radspinner (HRSD) sits down with Laura Kirkwood (HRSD),  Jeff Scarano (HRSD), and Michael Hess (HRSD) to discuss the design, stakeholder engagement, construction, and complex field measures taken to close the treatment plant. This episode was recorded in March 2022.

This episode kicks off a three-part series documenting the closure HRSD's Chesapeake-Elizabeth Treatment Plant in December 2021. In this episode, our series host Ryan Radspinner (HRSD) sits down with Jay Bernas (HRSD) to discuss the background and key drivers for the closure of the plant. This episode was recorded in March 2022.

We're kicking off a brand-new series titled Sewer Signals, where we'll discuss the emerging field of wastewater surveillance and how it benefits the field of epidemiology. This episode has our series host Marcia Degen (Virginia Department of Health) sitting down with Jamie Mitchell (HRSD) and Raul Gonzalez (HRSD) to introduce the topic of wastewater surveillance and discuss HRSD's journey into monitoring the prevalence of COVID-19 early in the pandemic. Virginia wastewater data can be accessed at the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) website at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#wastewater-surveillance.

We conclude our three-part series on Combined Sewer Overflow systems with series host Kyle Logue (Greeley and Hansen) sitting down with Karen Pallansch (Alexandria Renew Enterprises) to discuss her utility's embrace and implementation of a novel CSO solution, and how their approach speaks to the future of water infrastructure and its relationship with the community. We would like to thank VWEA's Collection Systems Committee for developing and contributing this three-part series to our podcast. Note that this episode was recorded in March 2022 and reflects the conditions at that time.

We continue our three-part series on Combined Sewer Overflow systems as assembled by VWEA's Collection Systems Committee. In this episode , the series host Kyle Logue (Greeley and Hansen) catches up with Patrick Bradley (City of Richmond at time of recording) to review the history of federal and Virginia CSO regulations that shaped the strategy for infrastructure construction, operation, and management. Note that this episode was recorded in March 2022, and reflects the state of regulations at that time.

This episode kicks off a three-part series assembled by VWEA's Collection Systems Committee. On this episode, the series host Kyle Logue (Greeley and Hansen) sits down with Tim Mitchell (Lynchburg Water Resources) to discuss the history of CSO in Virginia, and the investments they have taken to tackle this  challenge in their community.

We continue our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion series with VWEA's DE&I Committee Chair Shawn Heselton (HRSD) sitting down with VA AWWA's DE&I Committee Chair Supriya Murthy to discuss the collaboration between our two Associations and how to make actionable changes to shift the culture toward more inclusive organizations.

We continue our Women Impacting Water series with Dana Hargrove (Western Virginia Water Authority) and Adrianna Dimperio (Draper Aden/TRC) as they catch up with Rusty Carvajal-Nigro (Hazen and Sawyer) to discuss her entry into the water infrastructure field and first impressions of our industry as a young professional.

Members of the Utility Management Committee's One Water Focus Group, including Ryan Nagel (Hazen and Sawyer), Dana Hargrove (Western Virginia Water Authority), and Beate Wright (Carollo), review feedback from their recent One Water survey and what they believe it means for the future of One Water in Virginia.

We begin the Straight Flush's Operations Series with Sarita Adkins-Moore (Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority, formerly Town of Abingdon) to discuss her career path from entry level wastewater operator to the Director of Operations position,  with lessons learned along the way.

The Straight Flush's Legacy Series continues as Bruce Husselbee (HRSD) sits down with longtime colleague and recently retired Ted Henifin to chart his life of public service throughout eastern Virginia and look back upon his visionary leadership as HRSD's General Manager.

The Straight Flush's Legacy Series continues as Ryan catches Clarke Wallcraft (Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority) during his last day on the job to discuss his career arc in the utilities field, his contributions to VWEA, and his little red Corvette!

We continue our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion series with VWEA's DE&I Committee Chair Shawn Heselton (HRSD) sitting down with the Committee's Vice Chair Dorissa Pitts-Paige (HRSD) to discuss ideas for addressing DE&I opportunities within VWEA and the water industry as a whole.

We continue our Women Impacting Water series with Adrianna Dimperio (Draper Aden Associates) and Dana Hargrove (Western Virginia Water Authority) as they sit down with Erica Duncan (Henrico County Water Reclamation Facility) to discuss her successful career path in wastewater operations.

Guest Scott Flanigan (Stormwater Permit Manager Department of Environmental Engineering – Watershed Management, Chesterfield County, VA) talks with hosts Laura Bendernagel (RK&K) and John Schooler (Woolpert) about Chesterfield County's Local Stormwater TMDLs and best practices. Episode edited by Brian Meli (HDR). 

Guest Jonathan Champion (Associate Director of the Department of Energy & Environment – Water Quality Division, Washington, DC) talks with hosts Laura Bendernagel (RK&K) and John Schooler (Woolpert) about DC's complex Local Stormwater TMDLs and best practices. Episode edited by Brian Meli (HDR). 

Guest Heather Ambrose (MS4 Permit Coordinator for the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Stormwater Planning Division, Fairfax County, VA) talks with hosts Laura Bendernagel (RK&K) and John Schooler (Woolpert) about Fairfax County's Local Stormwater TMDLs and best practices, including for salt management. Interview edited by Brian Meli (HDR). 

Guest Justin Curtis (Vice President of AquaLaw PLC) talks with hosts Laura Bendernagel (RK&K) and John Schooler (Woolpert) about the legal foundation and recent trends of Local Stormwater TMDLs in VA and the US. Interview edited by Brian Meli (HDR). 

Guest Nesha McRae (TMDL Coordinator for the VA DEQ Valley Regional Office) talks with hosts Laura Bendernagel (RK&K) and John Schooler (Woolpert) about the concept of Local Stormwater TMDLs, their history in VA, and a structure for successful implementation. Interview edited by Brian Meli (HDR). 

Members of the Utility Management Committee's One Water Focus Group, which include J. Dano (HRSD), Beate Wright (Carollo), and Ryan Nagel (Hazen and Sawyer), introduce their episode series and discuss the importance and big questions associated with the principles of One Water

VWEA's WEF Delegate Kevin Wood (Dewberry) sits down with WEF Trustee Aimee Killeen at WaterJAM to discuss WEF updates and current initiatives.

Shawn Heselton (HRSD) provides an introduction to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), and why VWEA and VA AWWA developed a joint task force to identify needs and develop goals for DE&I enhancement within our associations.

Dana Hargrove (Western Virginia Water Authority) and Adrianna Dimperio (Draper Aden Associates) introduce the "Women Impacting Water" series and reflect on their diverse career paths.

Ryan and Evan continue their conversation with Mac McCutchan (Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority) on the arc of his 40+ year career.

Ryan and Evan provide an introduction to the podcast, and speak with Mac McCutchan (Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority) on the arc of his 40+ year career.