It’s with great honor, gratitude, and excitement that I write my first message to you as president of PNCWA’s board of directors. As I accept this torch from Rob Lee, I’m reminded of the values and objectives that drew me to this community and the gratifying time I’ve spent in its service, all of which underscore the significance of my new responsibilities to you.

I joined PNCWA fifteen years ago. My time with the association has been marked by learning experiences and meaningful relationships formed through various committees and special initiatives, and, in 2018, I joined the board as secretary. Throughout these years, I’ve also served as a senior project manager in the Seattle area for Carollo Engineers, a role that has put me face-to-face with the challenges and opportunities PNCWA explores through collaboration, innovation, and exchange as well as the influence of our contributions toward providing clean water and securing healthy watersheds.

This year’s PNCWA annual conference in Spokane was a perfect example of such a contribution. It was not only another successful reunion between more than 800 of the northwest’s best thought-leaders in water, utility operations, technology, and environmental advocacy, but also a commemoration of the work we’ve all done in the past year for our respective organizations and communities. Beyond seeing so many familiar faces in the technical tracks, I was thrilled by the support our Ops Challenge teams saw and the leadership exuded during the women’s networking event, amongst countless other memorable moments.

I was proud to be a part of this conference, and now, as your president, I’m committed to making you proud of PNCWA and its mission to educate and connect all members in promoting a healthy water environment for the northwest region. To this end, here are my core objectives for the following year:

• Create new, more diverse communities of practice with which committee members can engage and unleash their creativity.
• Integrate our new PNCWA managing director, Marie Schmidt, whose expertise will help streamline board and volunteer activities and expand arenas for member participation.
• Rekindle PNCWA’s passion for clean water, stewardship, and service.

None of these objectives can be achieved without the invaluable work of our volunteers and contributors or participation from our regions and sections. I look forward to working with every one of you to advance PNCWA’s mission and progress toward another incredible conference in Tacoma, Washington in 2023!

Lara Kammereck
PNCWA President