President’s Message
President’s Thoughts by Mike Norris
I am excited and honored to become the 95th President of TWUA. The association just completed the 103rd year of providing training. A bit of a head-scratcher, but it seems in the past, some served multiple terms. Or it could be that Bill Brown just made up the story and forgot to let me in on the punch line. Either way, I am excited about the future of TWUA and being a part of facilitating training for the operators and those entering the water treatment field or advancing licenses. Operators are truly essential and professionals. I am an “A” Wastewater Operator and Manager of Wastewater Treatment for the City of Tyler. I also chair the East Texas Regional Region. I consider myself blessed to have acquired a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience from a great group of operators. If you are one of the professionals I have not yet met, please feel free to introduce yourself at any TWUA function. In these times we live in, if you would rather introduce yourself electronically, I understand and am good with that as well. MNorris@tylertexas.com. How can TWUA be of service in your training needs? We recognize that you have choices for training providers, and we want to satisfy your training needs. Share your thoughts and suggestions, and I will relay them to the management committee. For those who have restrictions on travel and attending in-person training events, TWUA has an impressive computer-based training program. You will be hard-pressed to find anyone who says that in-person training is not the best option. But if you get into a time crunch or travel is problematic, electronic might be a viable option. TWUA District meetings are now occurring in person, which is a great way to acquire renewal hours. I hear information being shared in regards to future Annual Schools. Annual School will remain in Corpus Christi for the next four years. And the dates will remain September for those four years. For 2022, the annual school dates are 25th – 29th. As soon as Central Office receives notice from the various regions, school information will be shared on the TWUA website. I can share the first TWUA Training event for 2022 will be Amarillo, and they have confirmed April 4th – 7th 2022. Please keep the Amarillo Region in mind for those in the Panhandle and West Texas or anyone needing training. My message as President is to support the various training needs and promote the concept that TWUA is a combined effort of all members, districts, regions, sections, and subsidiaries. Our association will grow and benefit when members ask how I can help or how can I get involved at the different levels? TWUA President Mike Norris
4 Texas Water Utilities Journal | www.twua.org
November 2021
