I am hands-on and solutions oriented. I also recognize where there is a will, there is a way. When I see and hear about the many water issues in our country, like the Central Valley farmers, the California Delta, the decline of water stored in Hoover Reservoir and the diminishing Ogallala Aquifer, I realize that the solution is up to us as water users. I also believe our society has what it takes to solve these issues. So, if you ask, “So what is different about me?,” I will say, “I have a dream that dreams come true and that people can actually work well together to solve shared problems.” We need to have healthy relationships with each other and move our feet. We need to see more success stories than tragedies and failures.
I have learned that I can lead this effort by example. I have incorporated and operated an environmental consulting firm as a registered hydrogeologist and geologist for twenty-nine years. Through the years I have recognized that implementation of thinking outside the box has been fruitful. The following are some examples of my endeavors:
Developed the Know Your Water® program
Developed the Neighborhood Water Alliance program
Developed the Operation Unite® Relationship Building program
Developed the Enhanced Pollution Awareness Survey
Received the 2015 American Institute of Professional Geologist Sectional Leadership Award for mentoring
Implemented an Aikido martial arts dojo and developed a personal development Aikido program
Served as founding board member of the Cooperative Solutions program
Received the National Groundwater Association Special Recognition Award in 2012, and
Produced the Senior Wisdom, Conversation, and Meet Your Mentor programs, and two-hundred fifty-one short segment radio shows on water’s many relationships in the world.
My relationship-building efforts have been in the western states, India and portions of the Eastern U.S. since 2006.
So, when you ask me, “Can you accomplish the Operation Unite® mission?” I will tell you with no hesitation that I am already on my way. There is a joy in bringing people together to solve water problems. This joy is contagious. So, let’s work together and solve issues that until now have been unsolvable.