GAWP Leadership Academy

“Being part of the GAWP Leadership Academy has been a great way to connect with the leaders and emerging leaders of the Georgia water industry. The program has helped me to expand my knowledge base, make connections with fellow professionals, and increase my understanding of the challenges we face as an industry. I highly recommend this program as a way to broaden your understanding of our industry and to develop relationships with the interesting people who lead it."

– John Reidy, O’Brien & Gere, Class of 2010

“Completing the GAWP Leadership Academy levels 1 and 2 provided me with important background, history, and basic level of understanding of the water industry. It also provided and continues to provide networking and continued relationships with other industry professionals, which greatly aides in understanding what other similarly situated utilities are dealing with and offers the ability to collaborate on issues as they arise. The Leadership Academy shows that Georgia water professionals are taking seriously the need for continued development of the water industry’s upcoming leaders.”

– Gil Shearouse, Douglasville-Douglas County WSA, Class of 2009

“Completing Level 1 LA gives me a feeling of accomplishment and a greater feeling of being a part of the GAWP Organization. I now want to complete Level 2 and then work toward a leadership role in the organization like others have achieved.”

– Wayne Haynie, PE, Jacobs Engineering, Class of 2010

“Attending the Leadership Academy helped me to see our field in a broader context than just the areas where I’ve specialized. The experience was also useful in that I was able to meet and learn from other up and coming leaders in the industry – people with whom we’ll be working to solve the next set of water and wastewater related problems confronting Georgia.”

– Christopher Poje, PE, G. Ben Turnipseed, Inc., Class of 2010

“The Leadership Academy was very informative and I particularly enjoyed learning about the different perspectives offered by representatives from the utilities, EPD, GEFA, and media.”

– Scott Ayers, AMERICAN, Class of 2009

“I was pleasantly surprised to see so many influential leaders from our industry take part in the Leadership Academy. This program will not just benefit our young, future leaders but all levels of professionals in our industry.”

– Dan Carter, Eco-Tech, Inc., Class of 2010

"I am always impressed with the caliber of professionals participating in and facilitating the Leadership Academy. Our rising leaders have benefited from the Leadership Academy through the contacts they have made and their expanded professional network."

– Tony Rojas, Executive Director, Macon Water Authority, GAWP 2012 President & Leadership Academy Faculty Member

"The Leadership Academy has helped CCWA employees by enhancing their problem solving, conflict resolution and communication skills as well as equipping them to better tackle current and future water issues in their careers."

– Mike Thomas, General Manager, Clayton County Water Authority, GAWP 2005 President & Leadership Academy Faculty Member

"As a graduate of the Leadership Academy, I know first-hand the benefits of this program and will continue to support my rising leaders in attending."

– Mike Hopkins, Executive Director, Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority, Class of 2009 & Leadership Academy Faculty Member