2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA

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2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
FALL 2021

    The Official Magazine of the
    Pacific Northwest Section – AWWA

   2022
   CANDIDATES
   for Officers

                                       Message from the Chair
                                       PNWS Association Director Report
                                       Gray Matters

PNWS-AWWA
P.O. Box 872467
Vancouver, WA 98687
Address Service Requested

                                          Message from the Chair • PNWS Association Director Report
2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
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             Contact Paul Risso at (253) 888-6280
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2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
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2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
The Official Magazine of the
Pacific Northwest Section – AWWA
VOLUME 18, NUMBER 2
SUMMER 2021

PNWS-AWWA 2021-2022
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                                               Features
Association Director
RANDY BLACK
                                               2022 CANDIDATES FOR OFFICERS.................................... 17
PNWS Board Chair
JOHN ROTH
                                               PROACTIVE PREPARATION FOR
Past Chair
                                               LEAD AND COPPER RULE COMPLIANCE.......................... 32
RONDA FARMER
Chair-Elect
MICHELLE CHEEK
Executive Director
KYLE KIHS
Oregon/Idaho Trustee
JAMIE PORTER
KAREN KELLEY
Washington Trustee
TYLER CLARY
CHERYL CAPRON
Trustee-at-Large
NICK BELMONT
DOUG SCHLEPP
Treasurer
JASON CANADY

SECTION BOARD MEMBERS ON THE
AWWA NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AWWA Executive Committee Member
and Standards Council Chair
MICHAEL STUHR
AWWA Executive Committee Member and
Manufacturer and Associates Council Chair
KRISTIN KIHS
AWWA Director-at-Large
CORIANNE HART BURNETT

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:
www.pnws-awwa.org

Published by                                   Departments
                                               Message from the Chair.......................................................................................... 7
                                               PNWS Association Director Report....................................................................... 9
Managing Editor: Megan Funnell                 Committee Reports............................................................................................... 11
Layout & Design: Jackie Magat
Sales Manager: K ris Fillion                  Gray Matters........................................................................................................... 15
Advertising Coordinator: Stefanie Hagidiakow
                                               Subsection Updates............................................................................................... 29
866-985-9780
Fax: 866-985-9799
                                               Advertiser Product & Service Center.................................................................. 45
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permission from the PNWS-AWWA.
2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
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2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
Message from
the Chair

Our Members Make a Difference

G          reetings colleagues and
           fellow members, I hope you
           are having a productive
and profitable year. Fall is my favorite
time of year and the cooler, wetter
weather is certainly a respite from
the early, hot and long summer we
experienced in the Pacific Northwest.
Throughout the Section, it feels like
we have been productive – although
COVID still frustrates many of our
efforts. There have been opportunities
for in-person gathering this year:
Northwest Oregon, Southern Oregon,
Lower Columbia and King County all
held golf tournaments to raise funds
for their philanthropic goals.
    The Section continues to have a
strong virtual presence; there were         and By-Law Chairman. Brad had                       The ad hoc group has broken
several online training opportunities       everything updated inside of the ROPs               into three work teams and is
throughout the year. Committees             to align with the new By-Laws prior to              developing member resources,
and Subsections provided excellent          the first ad hoc group meeting. That                such as committee and subsection
content; meanwhile, other Subsections       allowed the group to start on strong                organizational templates, volunteer
held short schools virtually. While         footing and look at important updates               mentoring, timelines, and flow
the Board continues to meet virtually,      that align with our Section values.                 charts. The work is meant to make
we had the opportunity to meet in           The draft includes our diversity                    volunteering easier by providing
person at the Regional Meeting of           statement, more information about                   more clarity in roles, timing and
Section Officers (RMSO) this summer.        reporting, key performance indicators,              communication.
The RMSO is a chance to meet with           and timing. We are actively working                     My commitment is that we’ll have
other Sections in the Association           to develop continuity procedures that               a draft by the Winter Meeting so that
and share struggles and successes.          are small but carry impactful changes.              it may be reviewed by the Board and
Five members of the Board attended
and it was refreshing to hear their
stories and discuss how other
Sections have responded to virtual                                                                         Trust. Service. Integrity.
conferences, trainings and networking                                                                       Diversity & Inclusion.
events; focused on their mission;
and maintained communication                              Water Services
with their members. This year’s
                                                           • Water Master Planning                 • PFAS and Emerging
RMSO also offered training on crisis                                                                 Contaminants
                                                           • Surface and Groundwater
communication and Water Utility                              Facility Design, Construction         • Indirect Potable Reuse
Coordinating Committees.                                     and Startup                           • Facility Upgrades and Rehabilitation
    We have made good progress
with updating our Rules of Procedure
(ROPs) for alignment with our new                                        (206) 753-3412 | KennedyJenks.com
By-Laws, mission and vision. A big             Find out more about Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Inc. on our social media:
shout out to Brad Phelps, our ROP

CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                       Fall 2021                   7
2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
When you’re surrounded by colleagues that become friends, who
        believe in and encourage you, they are the ones that often make
        the difference. Whether they gift you with an encouraging word,
        a motivational discussion, these inspiring achievements pick us
        up and carry us to another day.
    members alike. The target is to have a       volunteer member’s organization and          best volunteers that give their time
    final version approved at the 2022 Spring    every one of us makes a difference and       and effort but more importantly pour
    Meeting. We are currently planning           impacts the Section in our own way.          themselves into the effort for benefit of
    an in-person meeting at the Tacoma           I have been active in the PNWS-AWWA          all our members and the Section. When
    Conference Center in May 2022. Due to        for nearly 20 years and never believed       you recognize it, please thank them:
    COVID, the last two conferences were         I would be in the role that I am today.      I’ll tell you from experience it makes a
    canceled so we are looking forward to        To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t be where   world of difference.
    seeing everyone when it is safe to do so.    I am today if it wasn’t for my friends            2020 and 2021 have been
    I miss being able to visit and connect       and colleagues who are members of            challenging years in many respects.
    with friends and colleagues, visit vendors   the Association. Personally, there were      The idea of normal is completely
    and check out the new technology, watch      times where I was ready to quit and          changed and we have had to be
    our operators compete, celebrate             take an extended break; however, when        flexible and adaptable to confront
    awards with our members, and attend          you’re surrounded by colleagues that         that change. The PNWS-AWWA has
    some of the best technical sessions in       become friends, who believe in and           answered that call and the work that
    the Pacific Northwest.                       encourage you, they are the ones that        we do continues to bring value to our
        The Fall edition of Water Matters        often make the difference. Whether           members. Thank you for your time,
    contains voting and election information     they gift you with an encouraging word       patience, and spirit of service.
    for future Section Officers. I encourage     or a motivational discussion, these
    you to participate by voting and getting     inspiring achievements pick us up and        John Roth
    involved with the Section. We are a          carry us to another day. We have the         PNWS Section Chair

8                         Fall 2021                                                             CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS
2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
PNWS Association
Director Report

Share Your Story

F        all is here and it’s time to get
         ready for the cold, wet winter
         season by completing our
annual operational and maintenance
activities. On the bright side, we have
                                               RMSO’s are a chance to gain
                                            information for the Section Officers.
                                            The Meeting is designed as a forum
                                            to exchange information about
                                            AWWA activities and priorities at the
                                                                                    3. Promoting member engagement.
                                                                                    The Association took a lot of
                                                                                    precautions to help ensure the
                                                                                    safety and welfare of the nearly
                                                                                    50 attendees. But I have to say, it was
sports to look forward to and the ability   International and Section levels.       so nice to have the opportunity meet
to attend in-person events again! Can       The Association focuses on providing    in person once again!
you believe it’s been two years since the   important updates on AWWA                   Keep in mind that ACE22 will be
COVID-19 pandemic began? Just when          programs, initiatives, policies, and    June 12-15 in San Antonio, TX.
we thought we’d see light at the end of     opportunities. Chi Ho Sham, President       So, what else has been happening
the COVID tunnel, we find ourselves         of AWWA, was there to share his         around AWWA since the last article
fighting the new COVID variants. Let’s      focus on three important areas:         I shared with you? Membership
keep our fingers crossed that this too      1. How to increase volunteers at all    continues to be a prime focus this year
shall pass, and we see a decrease in        levels, 2. How to convert seasoned      since numbers have dropped from
COVID cases and a continued return to       professionals into mentors, and         49,295 in January to 48,378 in July.
a sense of normalcy.
    Some of you have been asking
how my experience serving as Vice
President, representing our Section
and the AWWA, is going. The AWWA
decided that there will not be any
official visits until January 1, 2022,
so I won’t be travelling to a Section
conference before then; however,
I recorded the Mexico Section’s
presentation of the George Warren
Fuller Award, which I really enjoyed.
In October, I will be virtually attending
the Southwest Section Conference,
where they are planning to have an
in-person presence, so I am looking
forward to that. I am hopeful that I will
be able to attend more conferences in
person next year.
    On August 20-21, 2021, the AWWA
hosted Regional Meetings of Section
Officers (RMSO). These were the first
in-person meetings hosted by AWWA
since the winter meeting in Puerto
Rico, January 2020. The Association
divided 43 Sections into four different
regions. Instead of having four
separate meetings, there will be two
meetings – regions three and four
met in Midway, UT, and regions one
and two are scheduled to meet on
November 16-17 in Annapolis, MD.

CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                       Fall 2021                     9
2022 CANDIDATES for Officers - PNWS-AWWA
I encourage you to renew your membership with the Association
         and find an opportunity to connect with a non-member, share
         your story, and the many benefits the AWWA has to offer.

     The Association is asking each of us to                     However, nothing is more powerful        via articles in the Journal, presentations
     speak with a business acquaintance                      than sharing why you are a member            at our events, and as a volunteer at the
     or professional colleague, who is not a                 of the AWWA. People relate to shared         Section and Association levels.
     member of AWWA, and share the many                      experiences so we invite you to share            Like nearly all businesses, the
     reasons why they and their business                     your story. Think about why you are a        Association has seen a significant
     benefit from a membership with the                      member and what membership does              financial impact due to the COVID-19
     AWWA. The community side of an                          for you and your organization.               pandemic. Thanks to the outstanding
     AWWA membership provides access                             The AWWA has a list of online            foresight of our leadership, staff, and
     through multiple platforms, connecting                  resources, including its new video           volunteers, the AWWA is presently in
     members to a community of dedicated                     streaming channel where your                 a financially healthy position; however,
     water colleagues. For best practices,                   organization and employees have              looking to the future, cannot fulfill its
     an AWWA membership provides                             quick and easy to access to programs,        mission without a robust membership.
     24/7/365 access to trusted resources,                   including the popular WSO operator           So, I encourage you to renew your
     ensuring continuity of service in times                 training and certification series and        membership with the Association and
     of turbulence or calm. An AWWA                          the Safety-First series. Meanwhile, its      find an opportunity to connect with a
     membership supports advancement                         partnership with the USDA offers online      non-member, share your story, and the
     and professional growth with                            training for small systems (until we can     many benefits the AWWA has to offer.
     member-exclusive opportunities and                      meet again in person).
     the public health portion of AWWA                           The AWWA may have the resources          Warmest regards,
     safeguards public health and welfare                    you need, but the Association also           Randy Black
     by uniting the full spectrum of the                     needs you. As a member, we invite you        PNWS Association Director and VP
     entire water industry.                                  to share your experiences with others        AWWA

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Committee Reports

Oregon Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network
(ORWARN) Committee

ORWARN 2021 Conference
October 20-22, 2021 –
POSTPONED
Unfortunately, due to the COVID
surge, the ORWARN Board finds
it necessary to postpone the
Conference scheduled for
October 20-22, 2021. We have
a great Conference planned for
attendees so stay tuned for the
announcement of new dates!
                                            Membership                                 Activations
ORWARN Website                              ORWARN’s membership continues              We have had several activations
Please remember to keep your                to grow. We are up to 160 members          that ORWARN members responded
organization’s information up to date       and associate members. If you know         to in the last few months. Utilities
on the website. If you need help            of a utility that is not yet a member of   helping utilities is our Committee’s
logging in or have questions, please        ORWARN, please ask them to contact         primary goal – one that couldn’t be
email info@orwarn.org and one of            us at info@orwarn.org for more             met without each and every member
the Board Members will respond.             information.                               utility. Thank you!

Utility Management
Committee
Women in Leadership
Save the Date: February 9, 2022
Planning for Women In Leadership is
underway! We are preparing for
an in-person, morning event to
take place at Brightwater Center
(at the Brightwater Clean Water
Treatment Facility) on February 9, 2022.
Stay tuned for more details!
For more information, contact
Erika Schuyler, WIL Symposium Lead,
at erika.schuyler@murraysmith.us.

CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                          Fall 2021                  11
Committee Reports

     Engineering Committee
     Excellence in Engineering Awards            that provides a brief description of       Section Conference Forecast
     Got an excellent project you want to        the project and why it demonstrates        Thank you for all the great Section
     show off? The call for entries for the      “Excellence in Engineering” with           Conference abstracts! At 76
     Excellence in Engineering Awards            the opportunity to submit additional       submissions, the Engineering
     is open through mid-January. Don’t          supporting material as applicants          Committee received significantly
     miss out! These Awards recognize            see fit.                                   more abstracts than any other
     excellence in engineering for water            The Committee will be looking for       committee. The themes uniting many
     supply, treatment, or conveyance            outstanding water-related engineering      of these abstracts are striking and
     projects. Persons, agencies,                projects that have shown:                  we look forward to the 2022 Tacoma
     consultants, contractors, and water         • incorporation of innovative              Conference!
     utilities that have recently or will soon     technologies or approaches,
     be completing a project in Idaho,           • difficulty of the challenges overcome,   Jump Into a New Meeting
     Oregon or Washington may apply.             • inclusion of sustainability elements     Time with an Idea
     Please feel free to nominate one of your      (includes resource sustainability or     If you have an idea for industry
     Projects or someone else’s that you feel      cost effectiveness), and                 learning or a collaboration
     is deserving of an Award.                   • considerations for system or project     opportunity, please contact one of
         Categories: Projects may be               resilience (seismic, flood, system       the Officers or join our next meeting
     submitted in the “Large Project”              redundancy, etc.).                       to discuss your idea and hear about
     (>$5M construction), “Small Project”        Entry deadline: January 14, 2022.          others in the process. We are now
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CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                       Fall 2021   13
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Gray Matters

Hope Springs Eternal
By Dan Kegley

My hope in writing this piece, titled
Hope Springs Eternal – a proverb
of sorts – is to share a perspective
of human nature that always finds a
fresh cause for optimism. Drought,
relentless heat, fires, pandemic
resurgence, and lack of interaction
all seem to overwhelm us, yet we
continue to persevere. As I write, I
watch the daylight cover Louisiana
and the devastation, left behind by
hurricane Ida, come into focus. News
reports show the worst aspects of
the storm; however, if you listen to
the narrative from the leaders in
the community, you hear a story of
dedication and resolve.
    I hear the words of Vince Lombardi
echo in my mind as these people
speak of a path to normalcy. “It’s not
whether you get knocked down, it’s
whether you get up.” One of the many
systems to be restored (besides
                                                Simple acts of kindness, taking an extra
power) is water. Water is a resource            moment to be patient, or seeing people
often forgotten during normal day-to-
day life but, especially in instances of        where they are in the moment helps us all
emergency or disaster, it is one of the
first items needed. Before I continue,          be the best versions of ourselves and cast
I thank all of you, no matter your role,
for keeping the water flowing during
                                                sunlight into someone’s gloomy day.
all types of weather and for your
personal sacrifices.                           The kindness and generosity of         the values of membership we can’t
    2020 was the year that everyone         our Section truly amazes me and is        accurately capture. Simple acts of
wanted to see in the rearview mirror.       always there. Many times, a phone call,   kindness, taking an extra moment to
Although 2021 has not been without          email and yes, even a Zoom meeting,       be patient, or seeing people where
its challenges, we can see the needle       reminds me that our members are           they are in the moment helps us all be
moving in the right direction. I won’t      there for us and will help us up          the best versions of ourselves and cast
speak for everyone, but my energy           should we be knocked down – one of        sunlight into someone’s gloomy day.
reserves were getting low and the
stress levels – yes, even in retirement –
grew higher. I am so thankful for the
small respite we received from the                                                          COMPLETE
pandemic; however, those thoughts
eventually shifted to chlorine
                                                                                          WATER SERVICES
shortages, drought, relentless heat,                                                           Serving Our
fires, and the Delta variant. But,
through it all, hope springs eternal.
                                                                                             Northwest Region
Getting back together in Chelan, the
2022 Spring conference in Tacoma,
knowing that we will get through this
and we will be stronger because of
                                              Boise, ID 2 0 8 . 376 . 2 2 8 8
it – just like the survivors of Hurricane     Portland, OR 503. 2 27.18 8 5
Ida, who stand stronger after being           Seattle, WA 2 0 6 . 6 8 4 . 6 532                               carollo.com
knocked down.

CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                         Fall 2021                     15
Tomorrow will always be tomorrow, so take a few minutes to reach
         out and ask someone how you can help. You will be rewarded
         in doing so – and by doing so, will meet some of the greatest
         like-minded people who are all working towards a common goal.

         The outlook for the Section is           as a leader and mentor are things that       in becoming more involved, to reach
     getting better all the time; there seems     cannot be taught in a classroom: it is an    out and ask a simple question,
     to be more energy as things begin to         asset learned through volunteering and       “How can I help?” Ask any Board
     calm down and we catch our collective        networking. Seeing different approaches      member, Committee Chair, Subsection
     breaths. This summer, you may                and mindsets, through the diversity of our   Officer and I am certain they will get
     have attended an in-person event –           Section, enhances your skills to tackle      you plugged in. Tomorrow will always
     that itself is a victory! Committees         obstacles or present new perspectives.       be tomorrow, so take a few minutes
     and Subsections are rolling out new              This spring, I was presented with        to reach out and ask someone how
     trainings for people to attend virtually     the George Warren Fuller Award, to           you can help. You will be rewarded
     or in a classroom setting – allowing         which I am extremely grateful and            in doing so – and by doing so, will
     operators the chance to attend these         humbled. Without the membership,             meet some of the greatest like-minded
     great educational opportunities.             my mentors, my network, my time              people who are all working towards a
     People are reconnecting after a hiatus       volunteering, and my family (bulldogs        common goal. Tomorrow for me is a
     or inability to connect in person;           excluded), it would not have been            day of fishing, chasing the somewhat
     networking is so valuable and a              possible for me to stand in the shadows      elusive sturgeon in the north end of
     connection that I hold so dear.              of past recipients. For me, everyone         Lake Roosevelt – although the reports
         This Section has always been and         has played a part. It shows that anyone      have been underwhelming, so who
     will always be an extended family.           can play a significant role in our           knows… hope springs eternal.
     The friends and connections made             Section, and you do not have to do
     will last a lifetime. The chance to grow     it alone. I ask anyone, who’s interested     Tight lines & Go Dawgs!

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16                        Fall 2021                                                              CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS
2022
CANDIDATES
for Officers

                                                                  Association Director Director
                                                                    James Dean
                                                                    Lacey Gores Priest
                                                                    Alex Mofidi

                                                                  Chair-Elect
The Pacific Northwest Section Nominating Committee                  Doug Schlepp
                                                                    Dan Sleeth
presents the following candidates for 2022. You will vote for
one of the three candidates for Association Director, one         Trustee-At-Large
of the two candidates for Chair, and one of the candidates          Libby Bakke-Barg
                                                                    DeEtta Fosbury
in each of the three Trustee categories: Oregon/Idaho,              Michelle Johnson
Washington and Trustee-At-Large.
                                                                  Washington Trustee
Each of the three Trustee positions is for a two-year term; the     Pat Everham
                                                                    Tonya Reiss
Chair will serve one year as Chair-Elect, one year as Chair,
and one year as Past Chair; and the Association Director will     Oregon/Idaho Trustee
                                                                    Joel Cary
serve a three-year term, representing the Pacific Northwest         Mark McGuire
Section of the American Water Works Association                     Erika Murphy

CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                               Fall 2021                 17
ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR

                                         JAMES DEAN
                                         Utility Customer Service Manager, City of Yakima

                                     Throughout my years as a                Subsection President/Chair in late 2009. During this time,
                                     member of PNWS-AWWA,                    with the help and involvement of the outstanding officers in
                                     I have had the opportunity              the Subsection, we added a training coordinator position
                                     to meet and work with some              and a Young Professionals liaison to the CWSS Board of
                                     great people and truly                  Officers and facilitated annual trainings and networking
                                     appreciate the opportunity              events to benefit Water For People. In 2014, I was blessed
                                     to be considered as a                   and honored to receive the Section’s Heart and Soul Award
                                     candidate for the position of           and have served as the Volunteer Coordinator for both the
                                     Association Director.                   2012 Section Conference, in Yakima, and the 2017 Section
                                         I began my career in the            Conference, in Kennewick, WA.
     water works industry with the City of Yakima as a Water                    Over the past few years, I have had the honor to
     Distribution Specialist 1, general laborer, in 1997. Due in             serve on the Board of Trustees as a Washington State
     no small part to the training and networking opportunities              Trustee, Chair-Elect, Chair and Past Chair of the Board
     provided by the AWWA, I worked my way thru the ranks                    and greatly enjoyed working with the members, Board
     and was appointed as the Water Distribution Supervisor                  and Committees in shaping the future of the Pacific
     in 2008. I was appointed to my current position of Utility              Northwest Section.
     Customer Service Manager in 2013. During this time, the                    In my time away from work, I spend a lot of time with
     training tools offered by the AWWA – and more importantly,              family – especially my grand nieces and nephews. I
     the great friends I have been able to meet and network with             also enjoy riding and customizing my Harley Davidson
     in the Pacific Northwest Section – have been invaluable in              motorcycles and am a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan.
     my growth and development as a water works professional.                   I am extremely proud to be a part of this organization
         In 2006, I began serving in PNWS as the Central                     and would be honored to continue my service as your next
     Washington Subsection Vice President and moved up to                    Association Director.

                                         LACEY GOERES-PRIEST
                                         Water Quality Supervisor, City of Salem Public Works Department

                                       It is an honor to be                  an important leadership opportunity and I would be grateful
                                       considered as the next                to represent the PNWS as an Association Director.
                                       Association Director of the
                                       PNWS-AWWA. The PNWS                   AWWA Involvement
                                       Board develops policy aimed           • PNWS-AWWA Board Experience
                                       at fulfilling its mission to foster   • Section Past Chair (2017-2018)
                                       a network of professionals,           • Section Chair (2016-2017)
                                       provide opportunities, and            • Section Chair Elect (2015-2016)
                                       create leadership for the             • Section Trustee At-Large (2013-2015)
                                       water industry in the Pacific         • PNWS-AWWA Committee Experience
     Northwest. The PNWS Association Director, as part of the                • Water Conservation (Chair)
     PNWS Board, actively participates in the policy making                  • Water Quality (Chair)
     process that guides the future of our Section. Additionally, the        • 2009 LAC (Co-Chair)
     Association Director represents the PNWS at the Association             • Program Committee (Chair)
     level – ensuring the PNWS continues to be recognized as                 • Membership Committee (Co-Chair)
     one of the most respected and valued Sections, comprised                • Ad-hoc Registration
     of highly talented and motivated volunteers and members. If             • Training Coordination
     elected, I am committed to learning from and working with
     other Association Directors across the Association. I look              Education and Awards
     forward to sharing PNWS successes and bringing back ideas/              I earned my MS in Environmental Science and Engineering
     strategies to further cultivate our Section and enhance value           from the Oregon Graduate Institute (OHSU) in 2004 and my
     of membership. Engaging at the Association level represents             BA in Biology from the University of Montana – Missoula

18                           Fall 2021                                                              CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS
in 2001. I hold State of Oregon certifications for Water            Looking Forward
Treatment 1, Water Distribution 3, and Cross Connection             The PNWS provides opportunities for water industry
Specialist.                                                         professionals to attend educational trainings, network and
    It was my privilege to compete in three National Top            collaborate with others who have mutual goals and purpose,
Ops Competitions with fellow City of Salem Public Works             share ideas, and search for support and guidance. It is the
staff Gerald Arredondo and Doug Priest. Our team earned             responsibility of the PNWS Board to ensure that the Section
first place at ACE in Toronto, Canada, second place at              is meeting the needs and expectations of the membership
ACE in San Diego, California, and eighth place at ACE in            while remaining in alignment with the vison, mission, and
Atlanta, Georgia. Top Ops was an amazing experience that            goals of the Association. This can be achieved by continued
certainly broadened my overall knowledge in all aspects             transparency, an open communication platform, and ongoing
of the water industry.                                              evaluation and adjustment to meet the needs of the members.
    It was an honor to receive the PNWS Heart and Soul              I look forward for the opportunity to once again be part of the
Award at the 2009 PNWS Conference in Salem, Oregon.                 PNWS Board and serve the PNWS members and volunteers.

                                  ALEX MOFIDI
                                  Senior Project Manager, Confluence Engineering Group

                                Professional Background             me to develop unique professional growth and friendships that I
                                I am a 29-year AWWA                 would not otherwise have experienced.
                                member with half of my                  I have a first-hand understanding as to how the AWWA
                                career in utility operations        operates on both a national and local level. As a past
                                and management (MWD                 Subsection Director, past Chair of multiple committees,
                                of Southern California) and         and past Trustee, I am excited at the potential to represent
                                half in consulting. I am a past     our members at the national level. The PNWS is a top-
                                PNWS Trustee-At-Large,              ranking AWWA Section in leadership (with multiple AWWA
                                served a brief term as an           past-Presidents), utility management and operations best
                                Inland Empire Subsection            practices, professional training and mentorship activities,
Director (cut short due to a move to Australia), and am Past        and technical innovation; however, due to COVID, we all
Chair of both the PNWS Research and Information Technology          know that the AWWA and PNWS are changing. Pre-COVID,
Committees. I am currently a national AWWA Premise                  I worked with many PNWS leaders to try and develop
Plumbing Committee Co-Chair with an AWWA volunteering               ‘outside the box’ ways to improve training availability with
history dating back to the 1990s, when I was appointed to           virtual training opportunities. Although unsuccessful, I like
multiple committees including the USEPA technical working           to think this innovative pre-positioning helped ease the path
group for Stage 2 Microbial and Disinfectants/Disinfection          to implementing COVID-era virtual training that the PNWS,
By-Products Rule development. I have BS and MS degrees in           Subsections, and committees can now provide.
Civil Engineering, am a licensed Grade 3 Water Treatment                This type of ‘outside the box’ thinking is what is needed
Operator (CA) and a licensed engineer in multiple states.           now that COVID changes are here. There are continued
                                                                    uncertainties impacting the PNWS resulting from sustained
Personal Background and Hobbies                                     reductions in funding due to reduced membership and
My wife, Tracey, and I have been married for 30 years. We are       in-person events. If our ‘business as usual’ can’t be achieved
mostly empty nesters now, with three adult children. Tracey         soon, new ideas are needed to resolve shortfalls. Because of
and I love to travel – we visited Spain and the UK in 2019 – and    my varied background as an operator, an engineer, a utility
hope to return to travelling after the COVID issues ease. Our       employee, a consultant, an expat professional, and an active
next big trip is planned to be a self-led, off-road tour through    leader within the PNWS and greater AWWA, I believe I have
southern Africa. We keep active by exploring the Pacific            the diverse background needed to lead our Section through
Northwest through hiking and bike riding, as well as fostering      this time of change.
our new-found interests in off-road driving and camping.                Lastly, in my travels around our Section over the years –
                                                                    speaking at annual conferences, Subsection meetings, and
Bio and PNWS Leadership                                             numerous short schools – I have observed our members
Although an engineer by education, I am also a licensed             take our profession seriously as front-line protectors of public
operator that spent the first 10 years of my career as a utility    health. I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting many of our
employee, learning how to operate and maintain water systems        members and would be honored to represent you at the
from operators and technicians. This on-the-job education has       highest level of the Association. Membership needs will be at
benefitted me tremendously: I owe the success of my career to       the forefront of my mind while promoting PNWS growth and
this field-based education and volunteering activities within the   strength within the AWWA, so that PNWS can remain a Section
AWWA. My AWWA membership and volunteering has allowed               in which we all remain proud.

CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                              Fall 2021                       19
CHAIR-ELECT

                                      DOUGLAS SCHLEPP
                                      Principal Engineer, RH2 Engineering

                                      Looking back, I can’t       relationships throughout the Pacific Northwest. Recently,
                                      think of a more impactful   we renamed the PNWS RH2 Scholarship after our founding
                                      professional organization   partner, Ron Heinke. Through his mentorship, instilling
                                      for me and my career than   honesty, humility, and integrity, Ron helped shape me as
                                      the PNWS-AWWA. In the       a person and professionally. It is with these principles and
                                      past year and a half, we    values that I endeavor to give back to the communities in
                                      have faced challenges at    which I work and have opportunities to serve.
                                      work and home in ways           My wife Susan and I have been “living the miracle” for
                                      that no one could have      over 24 years. Together, we have two beautiful daughters,
                                      foreseen. In response,      Geneva (22) and Mya (16). As parents, we have worked
     what I witnessed and was actively involved with as           to teach them the values of integrity, commitment, trust,
     your Trustee was remarkable. As water professionals,         and leadership. These are the ideals that I have embraced
     we have continued to provide safe drinking water and         through my years of service in the PNWS as an Officer on
     become all too familiar with the types of virtual            the Distribution Committee, Subsection Advisory Council,
     platforms used to carry on with the important work we’re     King County Subsection, and as your Trustee. Regardless
     called to do. Despite the challenges, I’ve become more       of my path forward, I am committed to providing trusted
     broadly connected to and involved with the Section and       leadership now and into the future.
     the Association.                                                 It is truly an honor to be your candidate for PNWS
        I’m thankful for the last 32 years where I have had the   AWWA Chair. If chosen, I would serve with humility,
     privilege of working for RH2 Engineering, helping to         enthusiasm, and integrity to realize the objectives and
     build and sustain communities, while developing lasting      aspirations of the Section.

              “Tough times are met with tough decisions and those decisions
                   must be made utilizing sound data and open minds.”

                                      DAN SLEETH
                                      Operations Manager, Covington Water District

                                    It’s my honor to run for      industry has shown is nothing short of remarkable and
                                    PNWS-AWWA Chair               displays the character of what it means to be a water
                                    and feel blessed to have      professional. Teamwork, dedication, and flexibility: all
                                    received a nomination.        in the name of public health. The same values that it took
                                    The past 35 years of my       to get through this pandemic are what I will bring to the
                                    life have been dedicated      Board, teamwork, dedication, flexibility. Tough times are
                                    as a water professional       met with tough decisions and those decisions must be
                                    in the Pacific Northwest      made utilizing sound data and open minds. I am honored
                                    and I currently lead the      to run for Chair of our Section and would appreciate the
                                    Operations Department         opportunity, thank you.
     for Covington Water District. Over the past 25 years
     volunteering for the PNWS-AWWA, I have been exposed          AWWA Background
     to some of the most extraordinary people who share           • Washington Trustee
     the same passion that I do for providing safe, reliable      • Distribution Committee Chair
     drinking water to our communities.                           • Utility Management Chair
         The past 18 months have been difficult times and I       • King County Sub Section Director
     never imagined that I would be leading a team through        • Sub-Section Advisory Council Secretary
     a pandemic, but here we are. The resiliency that our         • Small Systems Chair

20                        Fall 2021                                                      CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS
m-351.pdf   1   2021-02-08   4:34 PM

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CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                               Fall 2021          21
TRUSTEE-AT-LARGE

                                      LIBBY BARG BAKKE
                                      President, Barney & Worth, Inc. – a Murraysmith Company

                                      It is an honor to be nominated      My 20-plus years of experience working across the
                                      for the PNWS-AWWA                region to build public support for water infrastructure
                                      Trustee-At-Large position.       will contribute to the organization’s continued success.
                                      I value our Association’s        My decades-long involvement with PNWS-AWWA
                                      leadership role in the water     provides a strong base of organizational understanding.
                                      industry and its crucial         I have been a member of PNWS-AWWA since 2000 and
                                      task to support members’         was the Co-Chair of the Public Information Committee for
                                      passion and commitment           eight years.
                                      to providing clean, safe,           During this time, I have had the honor of sharing
                                      and affordable water to the      PNWS-AWWA members’ success through conference
     communities we live and work in.                                  and workshop presentations and the Excellence in
        I am President of Barney & Worth, Inc., now a                  Communication Award program. As a Board member, I
     Murraysmith company. Barney & Worth is an award-                  will continue to support and promote the regional water
     winning strategic planning and communications consulting          industry and members to celebrate our successes and
     firm built on the principle that good decisions make great        work together to meet the significant challenges ahead.
     communities. We specialize in strategic communications               There is an opportunity at this moment to further
     for water infrastructure projects. We help communities            PNWS-AWWA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in
     fund and build facilities to deliver safe drinking water,         the water industry. Water utilities, consulting firms, public
     treat wastewater to keep our rivers clean, and design             health professionals, universities and community colleges,
     stormwater systems that protect and enhance the natural           and others involved in the water industry are working
     environment. I am a dedicated drinking water professional         toward the same goal. I am committed to building on this
     and have attained Level 4 Water Treatment and Water               positive synergy.
     Distribution Operator licenses in Oregon.                            Thank you for your consideration of my nomination.

                                      DeETTA FOSBURY
                                      R.G., Senior Hydrogeologist, GSI Water Solutions, Inc.

                                    It is an honor to be                   I was introduced to the Section ten years ago when I
                                    nominated for election as a        started attending Water Resources Committee meetings
                                    trustee of the PNWS-AWWA.          with colleagues at GSI and eventually volunteered to
                                    I am an experienced                serve as Secretary of the Committee. I served as an
                                    hydrogeologist and project         officer for about seven years, and during that time I
                                    manager with a passion             gained experience collaborating with other committees
                                    for helping communities            to develop technical conference sessions and got to
                                    develop and maintain clean,        know many of the volunteers in leadership at conferences
                                    resilient drinking water           and other events. Most recently, I served as Chair of
                                    supplies. I enjoy working          the Program Committee for 2020 and worked with the
     with people from diverse backgrounds, and I am excited            Committee to develop our virtual training series after
     for the opportunity to direct my problem-solving skills           the Annual Conference was cancelled. I’ve grown to
     toward organizational management as a member of the               appreciate the value our member-volunteers bring and
     Board of Trustees. During this recent period of semi-             the important role the organization plays in our industry.
     isolation and working from home, I have enjoyed the               I know first-hand how rewarding participation in this
     non-stop company of my dogs and kept myself busy                  organization can be, and how challenging it can be to
     with home improvement projects and way too much TV.               recruit others to engage in leadership positions.
     Although I have gotten more comfortable with on-screen                I value the role that the Section has played in my own
     meetings, I’m really looking forward to returning to              professional development, and I am deeply committed
     in-person interactions again!                                     to creating opportunities for other water professionals

22                        Fall 2021                                                           CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS
to help foster their careers, leadership skills, and passion    The concept of inclusion has been central throughout my
for public service. As a new Trustee, if elected, I am eager    career, from starting out as a junior professional who was
to use the opportunity to listen and learn more about the       already too old to be a “young professional,” to navigating
organization from the more experienced board members            a career path as a woman in a male-dominated field, and
and to contribute my experience and perspective to              I was excited to learn that the Membership Engagement
support the Section and its members.                            and Development Committee established the Diversity
   As a water resources consultant, I have technical            & Inclusion Subcommittee to maintain focus on this
knowledge of the water industry, a history of working closely   important initiative. I am very interested in supporting the
with water providers across the region, and a personal          organization’s work to identify potential barriers to inclusion
interest in education and mentorship. I hope to bring my        in our industry and find ways to invite and welcome
personal skills and experience to the trustee role to advance   members of diverse backgrounds to our ranks.
the goals of the Section. I am particularly interested in           Thanks for your consideration, and I look forward
strengthening connections between the Section committees         to continuing to serve the Section and its members into
and Subsections, and within the organization as a whole.        the future!

   “I am very interested in supporting the organization’s work to identify
  potential barriers to inclusion in our industry and find ways to invite and
         welcome members of diverse backgrounds to our ranks.”

                                  MICHELLE JOHNSON
                                  P.E. Project Manager, J-U-B Engineers

                                It is such an honor to be       Subsection (IESS) Board. My tenure on the IESS Board
                                nominated to run for a          provided many leadership opportunities, and many
                                PNWS-AWWA Trustee               great friendships. I have had the opportunity to serve
                                position. The Section has       on the Local Arrangements Committee for the Section
                                been such an asset and          Conference, host a number of trainings to provide CEUs
                                support network for me          and networking to our members, help coordinate the
                                during my career, and           IESS Subsection Golf Tournament and other philanthropic
                                I am excited about the          events, and coordinating the very first virtual IESS Truck
                                opportunity to have a           Rodeo this past spring.
                                bigger role in developing          Through my involvement on the IESS Board, I have
and promoting the organization. I have worked for J-U-B         had the opportunity to attend a few Trustee meetings and
Engineers as a Civil Engineer for the last 16 years and         develop an understanding of the expectations of the Board
been fortunate to be able to focus a large portion of my        members and the role they play in directing the Section.
work on drinking water, which is what I love to do. My          I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of that
first exposure to the AWWA was through my father and            board and be a part of the process. The friendships and
grandfather. My grandfather was a civil engineer and            connections that I have made have been so rewarding and
a lifetime member of the Section, and my father, also           beneficial to me in both personal and professional ways.
an engineer, continues to regularly attend the Section          I am looking forward to the potential opportunity serve the
Conference. My first hands-on experience with drinking          Section in a role that can helping find ways to continuing to
water was operating a camp water system that my father,         be able to provide critical educational opportunities to our
grandfather and uncle had designed at a summer camp             members and equally critical networking opportunities.
in McCall, ID, where I worked during the summers while             My husband Ryan and I live and play in the inland
I was in college. This experience taught me a lot about         northwest with our two daughters who, at 10 and 13, really
day-to-day operation of a new system and the criticality        keep us on our toes. We enjoy skiing, mountain biking,
of providing safe, reliable drinking water, and was a big       camping and most any activity that gets us outside and we
driver in my decision to work in this field.                    can do together. One of my youngest daughter’s favorite
    My personal involvement with the AWWA began                 pastimes during road trips is to count water tanks… maybe
about eight years ago when I joined the Inland Empire           another generation of water engineering in the making.

CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                          Fall 2021                      23
WASHINGTON TRUSTEE

                                      PAT EVERHAM
                                      Water Manager, City of Richland Washington

                                    It is a great honor to         for the last couple of years. I believe that volunteering and
                                    be presented with the          contributing to this cause has helped me grow into the
                                    opportunity to run for         person I am today.
                                    Section office. I am excited
                                    about contributing to this     Professional and Personal Life
                                    great organization. With       I have been a water professional for 26 years. I worked
                                    COVID, the Section has         for the City of Kennewick for 22 years and have been
                                    had many struggles and         at the City of Richland for the past four years. I have a
                                    adaptations to make to         Bachelor’s degree in Cellular/Molecular Biology and
                                    keep our family moving         a Master’s degree in Public Administration. I have my
     forward. I look forward to helping us continue to improve     State of Washington Level IV Certifications in Water
     and provide the needed support to our Section. I              Treatment Plant Operations, Water Distribution Manager
     have been an AWWA member for over 25 years and                and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations. I have been
     appreciate what it has done for me. I have chaired two        married to my beautiful wife for 30 years and have two
     Section conferences in the Tri-Cities and served on our       awesome boys: Kaulin, 23, is an accountant at Gesa Credit
     Subsection Committee in many different positions. I have      Union and Korey, 20, is in his senior year at WSU, studying
     been the President of the Central Washington Subsection       computer science.

24                        Fall 2021                                                        CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS
TONYA REISS
                                  Maintenance Supervisor, City of Spokane Water Department

                                I am honored to have             organized the new (at that time) Customer Service training.
                                been selected as a               I have been Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair of the Subsection
                                PNWS-AWWA Washington             Advisory Council and am currently the Idaho/East Washington
                                Trustee candidate.               & East Oregon Coordinator. I am also the current Chair of the
                                The people in this               Cross-Connection Control Committee. Over the years I have
                                organization have inspired       been participated at the AWWA national level with involvement
                                and mentored me to be the        in the Water Loss, Cross-Connection control, Customer Service
                                person I am today with a         and Customer Metering Practices committees.
                                family and career that I love
                                and am proud of. It is an        Vision
honor to be a part of an organization that fosters the success   As a possible incoming Trustee, I am hesitant to call for
of its members so they can provide life’s most vital resource    specific initiatives before I have an opportunity to observe
to our communities.                                              and learn about the current state of the Section at the Board
                                                                 level. This last year has been a tough time for all of us to
Professional Involvement                                         find the time and mental fortitude to get through the new
In 1997, I began my career with the City of Spokane as a         obstacles that have been placed in our paths – all while
Laborer and have worked my way up through the department         keeping our friends and families (at work and home) as well
from Water Service Specialist (Crew leader & Backhoe             as surrounding neighbors and communities safe and healthy.
operator), Water Maintenance Foreperson, to my current           I have been overwhelmed with the many responsibilities I have
position as Water Maintenance Supervisor. I have been a          with the City of Spokane and the PNWS – I am sure many others
member of Spokane Regional Cross Connection Control              have been feeling the weight of things, too. It feels like we are
committee for nine years – seven of those as a Board member,     coming out of the clouds to only find ourselves back in the thick
Vice President and President. I have participated in many        of it. I have seen many innovative ways that the Section Board
capacities at the PNWS-AWWA Subsection, and Section              and Committees have been reaching out to the membership
levels. In 2014, I served on the Inland Empire Subsection        to provide training and guidance over the last year. I am
Board for eight years as a Board member, Vice President,         passionate about training and the 2020 vision. We have never
President and in 2015, received the SAC Activity Award.          seen the job openings in our industry like we have encountered
    My first experience with the PNWS was in 2012, when          in the last 10 years – in that timeframe, the City of Spokane
I was a member of the LAC for the 2013 Conference in             Water Department has had a 60% turnover. I am an optimist and
Spokane. The Spokane Conference is where I was honored           will continue to work with the many people that I am thankful to
with Heart and Soul Award. Honestly, I did not even know that    call colleagues and friends to navigate the ever-changing times
anyone knew I existed at that point except for poor Kyle Kihs,   and challenges we will face together.
who answered my numerous questions about the Section.
(Thank you Kyle). The 2012 Yakima Conference was the             Personal Note
first one I attended. I was amazed with the people I met and     My husband Bob and I have met at the City of Spokane Water
how much each and every one of them participated to make         Department in 1997 and have been married for 22 years
the Conference a success. Throughout the years, I have           this past September 11. We live and play in the woods with
organized and taught classes for conferences, the Customer       our dog, Cooper, and crazy cat. We enjoy hunting, camping,
Service Committee, Cross-Connection Control Committee,           hiking, fishing and home improvement projects.
Inland Empire Subsection, and City of Spokane Water                 We are blessed with many nieces and nephews that keep
Department. I served many years on the Customer Service          us busy with supporting them in their many interests (cheer
Committee as a member, Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair.          competitions, volleyball, and Bandolero car racing).
It was a great experience working with the team that                Thank you for considering me for the Trustee position.

                      “It is an honor to be a part of an organization
              that fosters the success of its members so they can provide
                      life’s most vital resource to our communities.”

CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                            Fall 2021                       25
OREGON/IDAHO TRUSTEE

                                      JOEL CARY
                                      Water Resources Division Manager, Tualatin Valley Water District

                                      Hello Pacific Northwest         From the ongoing legislative engagement – often
                                      Section AWWA Members!           meeting with our legislators and providing oral
                                      I’m excited and quite           testimony in support or opposition of key bills impacting
                                      humbled to be nominated         the water sector – to actively building relationships with
                                      as a Trustee for our Section.   a variety of key stakeholders across our state, these
                                      Having been an active           responsibilities on behalf of OWUC membership have
                                      member for nearly 20 years,     helped me develop a much deeper appreciation for our
                                      I can honestly say it’s all     industry’s needs and the expertise we possess as water
                                      of you that make this such      supply professionals. I served on the local host planning
                                      a wonderful and fulfilling      Committee for the 2017 WQTC in Portland and have
     industry. If elected, it’s my goal to continue supporting the    also been involved in the Water Quality Committee
     professionals in our industry, both the newcomers and            at times for nearly 15 years, planning multiple
     our tenured staff who have dedicated their time to this          section workshops along with being the Committee’s
     rewarding career of public service.                              webmaster early in my career.
         We’ve faced several new challenges these last couple             If you’ve read this far, thanks for considering my
     of years, which is probably the biggest understatement           nomination. If elected, I would undertake my role
     anyone could write; 2020 and 2021 have included some of          as a Board Trustee and the associated Committee
     the most life-changing events for all of us. Beginning with      assignments by setting the following priorities:
     the onset of COVID-19, then the unprecedented wildfires so       • sharing the mission of the Section with members and
     many of our communities faced, followed by a severe winter          Committees to create alignment of our goals and
     weather freeze that tested our emergency operational plans,         objectives and supporting Board members during
     and finally the chlorine shortage that impacted agencies            Trustee meetings;
     across the region, there has been no lack of crises that we      • providing my own insights when needed about where
     have successfully risen to meet, head-on. Being faced with          the Section could or should make any changes to further
     these challenges has highlighted something like never               promote its mission;
     before: how dedicated and talented we are all. Our ability to    • and last, to ‘lead by example’ in order to highlight
     continually adapt and meet the needs of the customers we            why the water sector – and especially in the
     serve is truly remarkable.                                          PNW Section – is a career worth continuing to pursue
                                                                         for our newest member.
     Professional and Personal Life
     I have over 20 years in the water industry and no, I wasn’t 15
     when I started as everyone likes to joke… but it’s not too far
     off! I’m currently the Water Resources Division Manager at
     Tualatin Valley Water District and more recently, ‘acquired’
     the additional role of General Manager for the Willamette
     River Water Coalition. As one of my former managers used
     to say with a smile, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
     I genuinely love what I do and along with an excellent team
     of staff, oversee water quality and regulatory compliance,
     cross connection control, water rights, and a variety of
     watershed related activities under development. I also work
     with our executive leadership team in support of our various
     agency Boards, frequently providing updates to our elected
     officials on a variety of topics. The skills I have learned
     along my career path are what I hope to bring to the table
     as a Trustee: professionalism, leadership, transparency,
     candor, and crucially, support of the Section Board. Also, to
     make sure we have some fun along the way!
         As far as AWWA activities, I served on the Oregon Water
     Utility Council (OWUC) leadership team for the last three
     years and am finishing my role as Chair this year, which
     has been an amazing and deeply rewarding experience.

26                        Fall 2021                                                         CLICK HERE to return to TABLE OF CONTENTS
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