Career Spotlight Previous Recipients

PAST SPOTLIGHT RECIPIENTS

Garett Walker

Operations Coordinator, Sonoma Water

It is my pleasure as a representative of Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) to recognize Garett Walker for a Baywork Spotlight. Garett is an active member of the SRJC Water Resources Technology Advisory Committee. He has worked in water/wastewater fields for more than 20 years and his valuable experience plus thoughtful insights have made the SRJC water/wastewater program stronger. On a personal note Garett has just earned a SRJC Wastewater Treatment Operations, Associate Science Degree.

He was the first student to earn his degree through the new Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) option. It allows credits to be awarded for validated college-level skills and knowledge gained outside of a college classroom from Industry Certification/Accreditation or License evaluation, and work experiences. Garett has obtained California State Wastewater Treatment Operator Grade V and Water Treatment Operator V to demonstrate his overall field knowledge, technical skills, and competency. He is both a valuable asset to Sonoma Water and SRJC!

Terrence Egan

Chemist II Trace Organics Section, San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility

Terrence has been a tremendous asset to our San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from San Jose State University in 2015. He has worked at the ESD Laboratory as both a Laboratory Technician and Chemist for 8 years, starting in 2016. During this time, Terrence has performed a wide variety of wastewater related analyses including TKN, TOC, Total Cyanide, TSS, Colilert, and BOD among many others. He has managed the implementation of a low level H2S analysis that proved valuable for plant operations.

For the past 6 years as a Trace Organics Chemist, he has focused on wastewater EPA methods 608.3, 625.1, and 624.1. As part of the Trace Organics team within the lab, Terrence spearheaded the transition from liquid-liquid extraction to solid phase extraction for EPA 625.1. He has played a major role in the adoption of Masshunter and instrument software in addition to participating in outreach and educational activities with BACWA and SCCWRP. He is respected and highly valued for all of his tireless work for our laboratory and dedication for improving the accuracy and efficiency of processes vital for safeguarding the health of City of San Jose residents and all the tributary cities that depend on our work at the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility.

Brian Walters

Lead Maintenance Technician, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District

Brian Walters has spent the last 5 years developing and administrating Central San’s internship program within Plant Operations maintenance division. The effort and energy Brian devotes to this program is unmatched. From recruiting through job fairs or presenting the internship program to individual classes at nearby colleges to hiring and working with human resources to onboard Central San’s interns. Brian also works with Baywork in developing their “Stackable internship program”, frequently attending meetings and also referring Central San’s interns to the stackable program. Brian also aids current and former interns with career finding and resume help. There has been many success stories through Brian’s involvement with student/interns and he is deserving of recognition.

Lupe Rodarte

Senior Analyst, Employee Services Team, Environmental Services Department, City of San Jose

Lupe has been instrumental in the City of San Jose’s participation in both the BAYWORK South Bay Workshop on Wheels (Fall 2024) and the BAYWORK Stackable Internship Program. In both cases, she coordinated with BAYWORK and City of San Jose staff to facilitate the BAYWORK program, ensured the City’s staff were prepared for their role, and provided critical feedback to BAYWORK staff to improve the experience for participants.

Katherine Tate

Senior Human Resources Analyst, East Bay Municipal Utility District

Katherine was instrumental in BAYWORK’s Stackable Internship process, joining the committee, interviewing candidates, and hiring a mechanical/maintenance intern for the Spring 2024 cycle. Thank you Katherine for your time and support, giving this intern the work experience he needs to pursue a career in water/wastewater.

Erik Brown

Deputy General Manager, Novato Sanitary District

Erik Brown led the BAYWORK North Bay Workshop on Wheel’s tour of Novato Sanitary District, giving attendees insights on the facility’s Tesla Megapack and Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) Process Biological Nutrient Reduction (BNR).

Dana Lawson

Senior Engineer, Special Projects, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District

Dana has presented her very informative presentation on interviewing for promotional opportunities at BAYWORK’s training buffet in 2023 and webinar in early 2024. Attendees found her insights “productive and helpful,” with one webinar attendee saying “The material covered for interviewing was comprehensive from filling out the application, cover letter/resume and tips from pre interview to post interview.

Mark Harris

O&M Manager at West County Wastewater District (WCWD)

Mark Harris has been instrumental in initiating a culture shift at West County Wastewater District (WCWD). His leadership has fostered an environment where employees are encouraged to become more organized and to think critically about problem-solving. By implementing structured processes and promoting a mindset of continuous improvement, Harris has helped the team at WCWD enhance their operational efficiency and effectiveness.

CCWD Watershed Team

From left to right: Clayton Funk, Mary Dunn, Cary Richardson, John Howard, Jonathan Cordaway, and Marco Seragusa (not pictured)

Contra Costa Water District’s (District) team of Assistant Watershed Resources Specialists has been nominated for their commitment to environmental stewardship excellence. Clayton Funk, Marco Siragusa, and Jonathon Cordaway are responsible for supporting all aspects of management and protection of the District’s 25,000 acres of land in Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Joaquin counties. Their dedication to our watershed team is remarkable.

Clay, Jonathon, and Marco always go up and beyond the call of duty to do what is best for the District’s lands and water resources. They have complimenting interests and skills and they collaborate daily to further the District’s mission and commitment to environmental protection.

They each work to better themselves professionally and consistently work to maintain a safe and hospitable landscape. Together they have contributed more than 40 years of service to the District, making the watershed a better place every day. Clay, Marco, and Jonathon represent the best in watershed resource protection. I am proud of our team everyday.

Norberto “Beto” Martinez, Interim Facilities Maintenance Administrator, CCWD

Norberto “Beto” Martinez is a kind, dedicated, service-driven professional. When the Facilities Maintenance Administrator retired last year, he gracefully stepped into an interim position without skipping a beat, and he shines brightly in this role.

No matter how big or small the task, Beto willingly offers help, shows up, and finds solutions. He’s always got the most positive attitude and has made several of my department’s undertakings easier. He’s an exemplary staff member and vital to the CCWD team.

Stephen Sandberg, Senior Systems Engineer, CCWD

With over 16 years of service to the Contra Costa Water District, Stephen is an incredible resource and asset to our everyday operations. His ability to relate, explain, explore and teach are evident, as he’s part of each new employee’s onboarding process.

He’s always available to help in times of need and goes above and beyond to make the endeavors of CCWD successful.

Joey Smith, Water Conservation Technician, EBMUD

Joey started her career with EBMUD in 1992 as a Utility Laborer in the Special Employment Program and went on to become a Utility Plumber in 1994. She continued her personal growth and has held several roles at EBMUD including currently serving as President of the AFSCME Local 2019 Union.

Joey has been a member of the District’s Values Team, is currently a member of our EBMUD Community Leaders, as well as a member of the Diversity Committee which assists with recruitment and outreach. Joey is passionate about helping others enter the career paths at EBMUD, serving as a mentor to co-workers and JVS program participants over the years and today, and is an advocate for all District employees and the community that we serve.

Bruce Gallego, Wastewater Treatment Operator, Union Sanitary

Bruce was nominated by his peers for being a model of environmental stewardship as well as for his consistent work ethic, and exemplary integrity.

Bruce’s consistent work ethic and integrity are exemplary of how an Operator should carry him and ensures the entire Operations team at Union Sanitary District is operating at a high level because he is always willing to put them on his back. He also is an avid fisherman in his free time and takes the industry of Wastewater Treatment very seriously.

An example of this was demonstrated this past year when USD had to treat an abnormally large amount of water due to the heavy rains. This was a stressful time for every Water Agency in the Bay Area due to Treatment Capacity issues, but our level of stress was increased due to us having a new Chemical Dosing System that was yet to be tested. Bruce assisted us with ensuring our Chemical Dosing Systems worked without issue, that way could lessen any risk of an unintentional NPDES violation. He did this by being involved in every step of the project (from design to testing) and supported the training of his fellow operators which aided in preparing the entire Operations Team for this past Wet Weather Season, all while maintaining a genuine care for how our work could impact the environment. I can honestly say that the project wouldn’t have been as successful without Bruce.

Bruce recently passed the Grade IV Exam, which is a huge accomplishment. This exam is something operators would do in addition to their job responsibilities, and they take extra time at work and at home to study for the exam which proves greater professional development in making them qualified for promotional opportunities and proves new industry knowledge gained. It is a difficult exam to pass, and we are proud of his efforts.

In summary, Bruce is truly an All-star and I cannot think of a more deserving Operator to be highlighted in Bay Work’s “Career Spotlights” program. We at Union Sanitary District appreciate everything Bruce does for our Stakeholders, Community, Environment, and his Coworkers and look forward to seeing his growth for years to come.