Unearthing Passion and Innovating for the Water Industry's Future
The Infrastructure Network
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Hello Readers and Followers,
I first connected with Bill Davis and Donnell Duncan, P.E, S.E. on LinkedIn about a year ago. From the moment I met Bill, it was clear that he is passionately committed to helping others and deeply focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the water and wastewater industry. Bill brings a creative and humorous touch to his work, and his straightforward, no-nonsense approach makes him the kind of leader who can inspire any team to achieve more.
Donnell Duncan, P.E, S.E., is equally impressive. He stands out as one of the most influential, driven, and charismatic individuals I have ever encountered. Donnell shares Bill's passion but adds a unique style and genuine class to his conversations, attracting a wide audience to his content. Together, Bill and Donnell have made significant impacts by working with water organizations and delivering speaking engagements that are not to be missed.
Their dynamic partnership inspired me to create clips from our podcast episodes, showcasing their insightful discussions. It became evident that these two need their own dedicated podcast channel to further educate and inspire others in sustainable water management solutions. Thus, 'Winning with Water' was born.
Our First Episode:
Diving into the depths of civil infrastructure, the premiere episode of the "Winning with Water" podcast introduces hosts Donell Duncan and Bill Davis alongside Chad Smeltzer. It's a foray into the underlying currents of the industry, exploring personal anecdotes, industry challenges, and a vision geared towards sparking excitement in future water workforce generations. This thought-provoking session surfaces the crucial role of water in our lives, the path that led two seasoned professionals to become champions of water, and how they plan to elevate the water conversation through their podcast.
Key Takeaways:
Finding Purpose in Water: Personal Journeys to a Life in Civil Infrastructure
Every water professional has a story of how water found them or they found water. For Bill Davis, his journey began in graphic communications, leading to a senior role that his mother insisted he trade for college. This redirection led him to engineering graphics, which, after meeting Jerry, a plumber turned engineer, transitioned into a career in civil engineering. Bill emphasizes, "water is my passion," an essential sentiment for a field that demands as much devotion as it bestows security and fulfillment.
Donell Duncan’s route to water was serendipitous starting out with aspirations in geology shifted towards civil engineering, it was the summer job mapping Atlanta's sewer systems that ensnared him in the water profession. Despite intentions to design high-rise buildings, consulting firm offers, and grad school opportunities anchored him in water. Donell asserts, "I didn't choose [water], it chose me," echoing a central theme of the podcast: the gravitational pull of water on those destined for the industry.
Through these narratives, we capture the essence of a career in water—it’s not just a job but a calling, transcribed by an unforeseen series of events leading to lifelong passion and lasting impact.
Tackling Industry Challenges: The Future of Water Workforce
Chad Smeltzer, their podcast producer, pulls the curtain back to showcase wider industry issues. Bill shares staggering statistics that predict a shrinking water workforce, with retirements peaking and new entrants trickling in. He warns of a future where the words "winning with water" may pivot to a concerning alternative without imminent action.
Detailing the industry's status quo—a wave of impending retirements and a dire need for fresh talent—sets the stage for broader reflection. As Bill notes, "The population's not going down," laying bare the mismatch: rising demand met with falling supply of skilled workers. These revelations underscore not just a professional void but an existential threat to everyday life, where water's ubiquity requires an army of unseen guardians.
The mission of 'Winning with Water' extends beyond entertainment; it serves as a clarion call to inspire the next generation, urging those with influence to demonstrate the dynamism and essential nature of water work.
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The Role of Media in Water Industry's Perception and Recruitment
As discussions continue, Donell emphasizes the role modern media plays in molding public perception and ambitions. He draws parallels between careers glamorized in film and television, and the underrepresentation of the water sector in these realms. The podcast itself is part of a strategy to revamp the industry’s image, aiming to catalyze interest among potential recruits who digest their information from podcasts and social media rather than traditional outlets.
Modern recruitment requires a modern approach, and 'Winning with Water' is poised as a digital ambassador for the industry, promoting a compelling narrative to reel in tech-savvy, purpose-driven individuals. Donell reflects, "As long as we're centering people in the conversation, it's a conversation I'm interested in." This sentiment reveals a dual objective: to showcase the industry's innovation and humanism, and to paint water careers as a vibrant pathway filled with purpose and opportunities for impact.
Key to this section is understanding that the water industry’s rebranding shouldn't solely rest on the cogs of its corporate and institutional gears but leverage the ubiquitous and democratic platforms where future water stewards spend their time.
Illuminating the Path Forward Through Storytelling and Advocacy
The debut episode concludes with a unified vision of advocacy, storytelling, and an embrace of technological trends in communication to forge the future of water industry. This forward-thinking podcast seeks to engage, educate, and inspire by bringing water industry stories to the forefront, underscoring the vital nature of water work and its societal impact.
Our hosts, with decades of water experience, intend to flesh out often overlooked aspects of the industry, instilling a sense of wonder and calling out to those unaware of the rewarding careers within it. 'Wining with Water' thus stands at the crossroads of necessity and innovation, narrating a thrilling journey into the heart of an essential, yet unspoken, pillar of society.
By marrying water industry expertise with fresh, evocative media strategies, 'Winning with Water' isn't just a podcast—it’s the herald of a new era for an industry at the crux of human survival.
We will be adding this episode to Apple podcast, stay tuned!
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