President's Message

President‘s Message

David Waller, MRWA Board President

In early 1994, MRWA Administrator Sue Campbell faced a dilemma. MRWA had received funding for a new program from NRWA and needed to hire a “Groundwater Tech” to fill the position. Searching for ideas, she asked the MRWA staff if they knew of any individuals who might be interested in the new employment. Billy Everett, who at that time was MRWA’s only Circuit Rider, said he knew of an energetic young man who seemed to be on the ball who was working in MoDNR’s Southeast Regional Office in Poplar Bluff. After some thought and discussion, Billy said he thought his name was Randy Norden.

Time passed and at the next MRWA staff meeting, Administrator Campbell introduced MRWA’s newest employee, Randy Norden to the rest of the staff. After the meeting, as John Hoagland, Billy Everett, and Gary Dewitt were exiting, Billy commented to the others, “Well, the new guy seems pretty nice but that is not the guy I was thinking of from Poplar Bluff.” Turned out Billy had gotten the name wrong and the “wrong” person had been hired.

Fast forward 26 years, the “wrong” person who turned out right has left MRWA. Randy Norden, former Execu tive Director of MRWA accepted a position as Director of Federal Programs for the National Rural Water Association in Duncan, Oklahoma. April 3, 2020 was Randy’s last day with MRWA. We wish Former MRWA Randy the absolute best and know he’ll Executive Director do a great job for NRWA. Randy Norden

Past MRWA Executive Director John Hoagland then accepted the position as interim Executive Director to assist in the day-to-day operations of the Association and to aid the Board in the search for Randy’s replacement. Having completed his goals, John returned to retirement life on June 1st. The Board appreciates his willingness to set aside the retirement life for a period and assist in the Association’s change in management.

Randy’s departure and Howard and Crystal assuming their new roles marked a change in your Association’s management, but not in the long-standing goals of Missouri Rural Water Association. The Association Board and Staff are dedicated to the mission of MRWA which is to be the leading source of professional services, support and representation for water and wastewater utilities. This mission statement is at the beginning of our MRWA Executive by-laws and it drives the decisions Director and actions of the Board and Staff Howard Baker in their daily interactions with the Association’s membership.

Change is never an easy or stress-free undertaking, and this year presented the water and waste water industry with challenges that few will forget. The COVID-19 virus, learning to quarantine at home for months, record unemployment and social unrest that has led to widespread rioting are a few of the memories that will be with everyone forever. Despite MRWA Chief Financial the challenges that we faced, the utility Officer industry and your Association staff Crystal Cooper have continued to meet their challenges of providing safe drinking water and reliable wastewater col lection while learning the intricacies of social distancing, video conferencing and many other new skills that are necessary in a time of a pandemic.

As we begin to return to what will be our new normal, Missouri Rural Water Association gives thanks to all the people in many walks of life that helped sustain our country during this unprecedented crisis. The personal dedication and sacrifice of these people shines a new light on many parts of our lifestyle that we have taken for granted. As we move forward it should be with a sense of pride in how our work force keep the vital part of our economy working while adapting almost daily with new challenges. History will never be able to document all the actions of the people that kept this time from being worse than it was. The human spirit is strong, and your Association Staff and Board believe that this crisis will pass and a new normal will emerge.