From Doubt to Influence: A Decade of Driving Change in Spill Response

For years, many of my coworkers told me that no one would hear me and that my passion for the spill response industry didn’t matter. Some even said, "If you can’t change it, why worry about it?" But instead of giving in or giving up, I made it my mission to be heard by those who needed to listen.

I built a following of over 12,000 on LinkedIn and founded the Spill Response Association Group, now with over 1,600 members, to unite leaders and stakeholders on one platform. My next goal was to launch the Global 21 Newsletter, which now reaches 4,500 subscribers and countless other industry professionals, ensuring my message is heard where it matters most.

Now, after a decade, I see the impact. Many have heard me, and even more are listening. I speak and write for the betterment and protection of every responder—before, during, and after an event. I emphasize the critical role of communities in emergency response, the necessity of updated training to qualify as a spill responder, and the importance of embracing new technologies while respecting proven traditional methods. I also highlight a major gap in the industry: the lack of practical field knowledge, something that cannot be learned in a classroom alone. This is why we need experienced field trainers—not just to pass down time-tested techniques but to learn from the next generation as they develop innovative solutions for the future of spill response.

I have to admit, there are moments when I question if it was all worth it. The weight of resistance, doubt, and the slow pace of change can be discouraging. But then, I meet people who tell me they read my work, apply it in the field, and even train others with the materials I’ve written. That’s when I remember why I started this journey in the first place.

At the start, I faced strong resistance from a few who opposed change—and some still do. But today, those who support progress far outnumber those who resist it.

I believe my Lord put me on this earth for a reason. From being a runaway kid with just a 10th-grade education to working in some of the most polluted places on Earth, my path has been unconventional. Yet, I’ve come to understand that while education is essential, a degree alone doesn’t clean up an oil spill. It’s hands-on experience, practical knowledge, and the ability to bridge both the Incident Command System (ICS) and field operations that truly make a difference. When you understand both worlds, you see what others don’t—and that’s what drives real change in spill response.

Recently, I told a spill response outreach and research group: "If you don’t hear me, who hears the responders in the field?" No one else in the industry dares to speak on what I do—proper training, responder protection, and industry accountability. But I know one thing for sure: many more are now listening. I see it in my messages, in reference letters, and in the words of those who tell me:

"Tucker, never stop!"

— Tucker J. Mendoza SpillWarrior Chief Editor