In his inaugural speech as American Water Works Association (AWWA) president, Charlie Anderson spoke of ?re-engineering? the association?s business model. Anderson accepted the gavel from outgoing President Jerry Stevens at a June 13 ceremony during AWWA’s Annual Conference & Exposition.
?I will, in the very near future, announce a special presidential panel of key section staff, headquarters staff, and AWWA volunteer leaders to help operationalize this vision for a new business model,? Anderson said. He foresees partnership opportunities, such as decentralized education and training, to strengthen the organization?s sustainability in a competitive market.
Calling this endeavor his ?one new thing,? Anderson recalled the Jack Palance character from City Slickers who said the secret to life was ?one thing.? Anderson says that one thing is to focus your energy on what you enjoy that will make a difference and to do it.
At the gavel ceremony at ACE12, the new president also pledged to safeguard the ?heritage of excellence that has earmarked AWWA?s brand? and to support the initiatives undertaken by his predecessors over the past several years.
Recalling his personal experience, he said AWWA had taught him to excel and lend a hand to others through his volunteer service ? which he calls ?the heartbeat of AWWA.? He recognized outgoing president Jerry Stevens from the West Des Moines (Iowa) Water Works for his leadership particularly in reaching out at section meetings to hear what members had to say and introduced other AWWA officers, Texas Section hosts and his family.
Anderson considers himself ?incredibly blessed? by his faith, family, employer, the Texas Section, AWWA?s volunteer leaders and the AWWA staff, he said.
A Fuller awardee, Anderson is a consultant with CDM Smith and a former utility director and deputy city manager for the City of Arlington, Texas. He has spent the last four years serving on the AWWA Board of Directors, as a section director, vice president and now, president-elect.
