A Future Goodbye and New Beginnings

The English proverb, “All good things must come to an end,” is as true as it is misunderstood. While I believe good things do end, they are so often replaced by other good things in life. That perspective is important to remember.

The English proverb, “All good things must come to an end,” is as true as it is misunderstood. While I believe good things do end, they are so often replaced by other good things in life. That perspective is important to remember.

I write these words because the many years of hard work and good times here at NASSCO are coming to an end for me in the not-too-distant future. During the October WEFTEC show in Orlando I announced my plans to retire beginning in February 2011, after NASSCO’s annual meeting in Puerto Rico.

I thoughtfully made this decision and announcement to give myself and NASSCO ample opportunity to plan for my departure and, most important, to secure a new executive director. I will proudly pass the torch and share the knowledge I’ve gained over the years to help NASSCO continue to grow on its successful path.

Many changes

As executive director of the industry’s leading trade association, I’ve been honored to learn and grow during the past eight years. Our industry is still young, and watching it grow has been exciting. As I look back, I think about all that has changed since I was a young sewer rat, literally getting down and dirty to learn on the job.

Most of the resources we have today existed in concept more than reality — it was trial and error and a lot of hard work. Training classes, guidelines and certifications existed, but not at today’s levels. The many products and processes for rehabilitation of the infrastructure are exciting and promise a bright future for the industry and all who work in it.

We’re still working diligently as an industry, and we have a long way to go to get the support we need for initiatives such as securing funding and building ongoing public awareness, but we’ve come a long way.

In the past year alone, we’ve seen our industry on the front page of leading newspapers, particularly in articles about the need for funding. I can’t think of anything more important, from a public health perspective, than to spend federal dollars on our nation’s most vital asset — public sewer systems and clean water. I hope this funding will become a reality.

Glad to contribute

I’ve enjoyed my career, and I’m so lucky to have had this opportunity to serve the industry and contribute to the growth of a powerful membership-based association where networking, training and education keep members coming back year after year. For decades now, we’ve come together to learn, grow, share stories, see old friends, and make new ones.

I’m proud of all we’ve done and of the resources now available to everyone. NASSCO is holding true to its mission set more than 30 years ago by a small group of dedicated people who had a passion and a vision for our industry. NASSCO’s mission to set the standards for rehabilitation for underground utilities remains unchanged.

While I hold the title of executive director, the engine of this organization is truly my colleagues: Heather Myers, operations manager, and Gerry Muenchmeyer, technical director. I’m grateful to have been able to work with them and the many volunteers, including board members, who are key to NASSCO’s success.

This wonderful team and I have a lot of work ahead of us. The search is on to find an executive director who can take this organization to the next level. If you want to be considered for the job, please send your resume to director @nassco.org or call 410/486-3500. Your inquiry will be held in the strictest confidence.

It is an honor to serve in this role but it is not honorary. Significant work still needs to be done for the industry, and NASSCO is the logical organization to do it. The work is challenging, satisfying and sometimes frustrating, but always interesting.

Good things ahead

Many good things will end for me when I leave NASSCO. I will greatly miss the work, the people I’ve been so grateful to work with daily, and the industry events I enjoy. But I know more good things are ahead for me, including more time with my family, my dear wife Paula, and of course, golf.

I also look forward to new challenges, such as exploring some life long ambitions, like playing the piano and learning a foreign language. Doing nothing is not my definition of retirement. I will continue to teach the PACP and will consider becoming involved with interesting projects from time to time.

For NASSCO, more good things are in the future too: A new executive director, fresh energy, ideas and continued growth. Until my retirement I’m committed and look forward to helping pave the path for NASSCO’s continued success. Thank you.

Irvin Gemora is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director@nassco.org. The NASSCO headquarters is at 11521 Cronridge Dr., Suite J, Owings Mills, MD 21117.



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