Jolene Gibson’s Incoming Chair Speech
Building Community in the Water Profession: A Message from the Incoming Chair
At this year’s regional conference, I had the honor of stepping into the role of Section Chair, an opportunity that feels especially meaningful in my own backyard.
Thank you to The City of Tacoma for hosting, and to my employer Tacoma Water for their support in this incredible opportunity. To my fellow Board Members, I’ve enjoyed working with you all and excited to lead this next year with you. And to Joel Cary for your leadership. You’ve set us up on a great path to success, I’m grateful to follow in your steps and continue to pave the road ahead. Most importantly, thank you to my family, you are the reason I’m here today, by your love and support, standing by my side and pushing me to do hard things.
A Journey Shaped by Community
Like many in our profession, I didn’t set out to build a career in the water industry. It found me. Nearly 20 years ago, I joined Tacoma Water with the simple goal of getting my foot in the door and proving myself. Not long after, I was “voluntold” to help plan the 2010 Tacoma Conference, and I never looked back.
My involvement in the Section grew alongside my career. I found mentors, collaborators, and lifelong friends. I also found something I didn’t expect: a community that encouraged me to step far outside my comfort zone. The shy kid in the back is now speaking on stage at the front of the room. That transformation didn’t happen alone. It happened because people believed in me, challenged me, and supported me.
Tacoma’s Influence
Tacoma has been my home for all of my adult life, and it has shaped who I am, both personally and professionally. Our Gritty City is full of creativity, resilience, and heart.
Programs like Hilltop Artists, whose students created the glass monkeyshines featured at the conference, show what happens when a community invests in its youth. Local institutions like Johnson’s Candy, a four‑generation family business, remind us of the value of tradition and connection.
One of my favorite Tacoma traditions is Monkeyshines, where local glass artists hide handmade treasures around the city each Lunar New Year. This year, attendees received a special monkeyshine featuring a custom logo designed by my extraordinary daughter, who is part of the Hilltop Artists program. Sharing that piece of Tacoma with our water community was a highlight for me.
The Heart of Our Profession
Community is at the heart of the water profession. Water connects every person and every place, and so does our work. We each hold a piece of the system: operators, engineers, scientists, educators, regulators, vendors, students. When we bring those pieces together, we create something stronger than any one of us could build alone.
But our community doesn’t run on expertise alone. It runs on volunteers. The people who show up early, stay late, plan events, mentor new professionals, and raise their hand when something needs to get done. They don’t do it because they have extra time. They do it because they care; about public health, about the environment, and about each other. Our volunteers are the quiet engine behind everything we accomplish.
And then there’s our community of leaders. Leadership in this field isn’t about titles. It’s about stepping forward, sharing knowledge, and lifting others up. I’ve been fortunate to learn from leaders who shaped this section long before I arrived, and I see new leaders emerging every day. As Chair, my goal is to support both, to honor the legacy we’ve inherited and to make space for the next generation to grow.
Looking Ahead
My commitment for the coming year is simple:
- Strengthen our community
- Support our volunteers
- Empower our leaders, present and future
Together, we are more than a Section. We are a community, and our community is strong. By this time next year, my hope is that even more of you will feel connected, supported, and inspired to lead in your own way. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this work. Whether you attended the conference or support our mission from afar, your dedication makes everything we do possible.
Sincerely,
Jolene Gibson
PNWS-AWWA Chair