August 2021 - Water / Wastewater Luncheon
Presentation File & Attendee List
PRESENTATION FILE
ATTENDEE LIST
Our Speakers
DC Water
David L. Gadis - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & General Manager
DC Water
Korey R. Gray - Director, Compliance and Business Development
As DC Water’s Director of Compliance and Business Development, Korey Gray leads the Authority’s supplier diversity program. With over 15 years of experience in the field of supplier diversity and inclusion, Korey is never satisfied with the status quo. His relentless pursuit of improved diversity and inclusion demonstrates leadership in advancing DC Water’s innovative approach to building relationships with diverse suppliers in every aspect of its purchasing of goods and services.
Under Korey’s leadership, DC Water’s Board of Directors recently approved a major overhaul of its Business Development Plan, the first of its kind since 2009. The Board’s approval was the culmination of two years of developing a foundation that will foster a new standard of doing business with DC Water. To ensure the transparency of this process, Korey led an ambitious public engagement process that involved listening sessions with the community and recommendations from DC Water staff, diverse suppliers, prime contractors, government agencies and advocacy organizations.
The revised Business Development Plan formalizes the Authority’s best practices for monitoring minority- and women-owned businesses; creates new opportunities for certified local small business enterprises; and adds additional protections for certified firms that are performing on DC Water projects. Two critical initiatives are introduced in the Plan: The Local Small Business Reserve (LSBRP) and the Disadvantaged Business and Women-owned Business Enterprise (D/WBE) Programs. The LSBRP, based upon a pilot initiative that was launched in November 2019, opens new pathways for certified local small businesses to develop partnerships with DC Water’s Departments. The D/WBE Program applies to non-federally funding architectural /engineering, construction and goods/services projects. The goal of the program is to increase the number of certified disadvantaged and women-owned firms who are eligible to compete and perform on DC Water contracts. Further, the revised Business Development Plan places a strong emphasis on effective prime contractor engagement with diverse suppliers and establishes a mentor-protégé program.
To make certain that the concerns of certified firms are heard, Korey was instrumental in ensuring that DC Water’s supplier diversity and inclusion efforts were placed directly within the Office of the CEO and General Manager. This alignment assures the diverse supplier community that the implementation and accountability measures of the Business Development Plan are unencumbered. The position alignment has led to the Business Development Program’s increased visibility within DC Water and among its industry peers.
Also among his key achievements, Korey successfully created and launched DC Water’s Apprenticeship Program, which launched in 2019. The multi-trade training program focuses on five (5) high demand careers: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Quality Assurance (Fleet Maintenance), Water Utility Services and Wastewater Operator Training.
As an industry leader in the water utility industry, Korey is highly sought out for his strategic insight and successful innovative business practices. Korey is a native Washingtonian and a proud Howard University alumnus. He enjoys spending quality time with his family and engaging in robust conversations regarding current and historical news events.
DC Water
David M. Parker, P.E. - Director, Wastewater Engineering
David Parker serves the Authority as the Director of Wastewater Engineering. Mr. Parker has over 30 years of experience in planning, design, and construction management of wastewater and water treatment facilities, pumping stations, and related infrastructure. Prior to joining DC Water, he worked in the consulting engineering field as a design manager, project manager, and office leader.
He holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Civil Engineering, both from Virginia Tech. He is also a registered Professional Engineer in the District, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Fairfax County Department of Public Works & Environmental Services
Chris Mata, PE - Senior Engineer III, Wastewater Design and Construction Division | Capital Facilities
Chris Mata serves as a Sr. Engineer III within Fairfax County's Wastewater Design and Construction Division, under the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services where he manages wastewater collection projects from planning through construction. Chris has been in the water/wastewater industry for roughly eight years working in both the private and public sectors. He received his degree in Environmental Engineering from Florida International University and recently received his Master of Science degree in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering from George Mason University. Chris is a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Loudoun Water
Thomas Lipinski, P.E., Director of Planning & Engineering
Thom is the Director of Planning and Engineering with Loudoun Water where he has been for over 15 years. Prior to Loudoun Water, Thom worked in the consulting engineering field, with Parsons and Hazen and Sawyer in the areas of planning, design and construction of water and wastewater projects. Thom has a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from Youngstown State University in Ohio and is a registered Professional Engineer.
Loudoun Water
Sarah Lothman, P.E., Director of Planning & Engineering
Sarah Lothman - Sarah is Loudoun Water’s Manager of Capital Design where she has been for over 7 years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in environmental engineering from The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Virginia. Prior to joining Loudoun Water, she worked in engineering consulting. She is thrilled to be joining the group today in person!
WSSC Water
Michael T. Harmer, P.E., Chief Engineer.JPG)
Mike Harmer is an innovative Engineer with a broad base of infrastructure experience ranging from consulting, construction, and owner administration. He has managed various types of projects ranging from sewer system rehabilitation, wastewater treatment, storm water flood mitigation, and buildings/ facilities.
He is employed as the Chief Engineer for WSSC Water responsible for a budget of over $580 million, over 370 employees, and approximately 100 contract employees. He was a past WSSC Water Regulatory Services Division Manager and their Development Services Division for many years. During his stay at Regulatory Services he managed the Pretreatment, FOG, Cross Connection, and Plumbing Design Reviews/ Inspections Programs. In the Development Services Division, he was responsible for permitting, hydraulic capacity, pump station and water/ sewer extension design reviews, and various aspects of the development process producing numerous Customer Service improvements. Prior to WSSC Water, he worked for New Castle County where he worked in Engineering and Operations. He managed the County $300 million Brandywine Hundred Sewer Rehabilitation Program removing excessive I/I, was recognized for ideas in energy savings, and was selected as the State of Delaware Government Engineer of the Year. He has designed or led the design on several design and build projects. His engineering expertise is augmented with his extensive field experience gained while working with his tools and operating heavy machinery in industrial and site/environmental construction.