WRWA FIELD STAFF 

"Message From The Executive Director"

Ken Blomberg
WRWA Executive Director
ken@wrwa.org

I'm pleased to present the Wisconsin Rural Water Board and staff members. Your WRWA Board represents our system membership from across the state. The system members of their district at the annual spring technical conference elect two representatives from each of five districts. This form of representation is the backbone of Rural Water's grassroots strength as the leader of Wisconsin's small water and wastewater systems. The WRWA staff are full time professionals, dedicated to assisting water and wastewater systems that serve the citizens of our state. I am proud work with the Board and staff as they lead and serve the finest utility organization in our state.

Dave Lawrence
Assistant Director
dave@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 340-7046

Hired as a small system Circuit Rider in 2000, Dave currently holds the position of Assistant Director.  With over 35 years experience in the water & public works industry, Dave oversees the operational activities of the association and coordinates all events, publications and staff activities.

Scott Giese
Program Coordinator
scott@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 498-7778

Working with WRWA since 1988, Scott currently holds the position of Training Coordinator.  With almost 30 years experience in the water industry, Scott directs the training activities of all WRWA's trainers, in addition to setting training agendas for all special events.

Janis Klismith
Training Specialist
janis@wrwa.org
Cell Ph.(715) 340-5635

Hired as one of WRWA's first employees, Janis has been with the association since 1987.  She currently is working as a Training Specialist, providing continuing education training primarily to municipal certified operators as well as coordinating the training provided to utility clerks and administrative personnel.

Chris Groh
Wastewater Trainer
chris@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 340-2055

With WRWA since 2000 as WRWA's Wastewater Trainer, Chris currently provides training and assistance to wastewater system operators across the state.  With almost 20 years of experience in the industry and degrees in both Microbiology and Chemistry, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the association.

Jesse Claflin
Wastewater Circuit Rider
Jesse@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 340-8827

Hired by WRWA in 2000, Jesse has worked for the past 9 years as a Wastewater Technician.  In that capacity, he provides technical assistance to wastewater system operators across the entire state of Wisconsin.

Jeff LaBelle
Water Circuit Rider
jeff@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 340-8860

Initially hired as a small system Circuit Rider in 2000, Jeff has worked his way up to his current position as Field Staff Coordinator.  In addition to his duties as a municipal Circuit Rider covering the western half of the state, Jeff also oversees the activities of all the field staff providing technical assistance to the different classifications of water systems in Wisconsin.

Ed Hendzel
Water Circuit Rider
ed@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 498-0100

Hired as a small system Circuit Rider in 2001, Ed brings around 25 years of experience to his current position of municipal Circuit Rider.  In that capacity, he currently provides technical assistance to water systems primarily in the eastern half of the state.

Kelly Thomas
Water Circuit Rider
kelly@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 204-0488

Working as a small water system Circuit Rider since 2002, Kelly brings almost 15 years experience in the water & wastewater industries to his role of assisting OTM & NN water systems in the southern and southeastern part of the state.

Patrick Harrington
Source Water Specialist
patrick@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 498-0383

With WRWA since 2004 as a Source Water Specialist, Patrick provides groundwater resource and wellhead protection planning to all classifications of water systems in Wisconsin.  With a great deal of experience in the zoning & land use planning fields and degrees in Watershed Management and Soil Science, Patrick assists systems in protecting their water sources.

Eric Van Laanen
Water Circuit Rider
eric@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 498-0018

Since April of 2004, Eric has held the position of small water system Circuit Rider providing assistance to OTM & NN systems.  With 15 years of experience in the industry and technical degrees in water & wastewater operations, Eric provides assistance to water system operators in the northern part of Wisconsin.

David Tichinel
Water Circuit Rider
davidt@wrwa.org
Cell Ph. (715) 340-9713

Recently hired in September of 2008, Dave brings over 20 years of experience in the water industry to his position of small water system Circuit Rider.  Dave currently provides assistance and training to OTM & NN system operators throughout the central part of the state.