Don Craig - Executive DirectorDon has worked within the Rural Water Association family for over 39 years. Starting as the IRWA Circuit Rider in 1985 for three years, he then went to work for the “parent” organization, the National Rural Water Association for 21 years. In 2009, he returned to IRWA, as the Deputy Executive Director. He became the Executive Director of IRWA in May of 2024. Don has over 48 years of experience in Water and Wastewater Systems Management.
Roger joined the staff of IRWA November 2014 as a Circuit Rider. He became IRWA's Deputy Director in May 2024. Prior to his employment with IRWA, Roger worked for the Village of Wayne City for 12 years. He was the water superintendent for 3.5 years of the 12. Roger currently holds an Illinois EPA class A water license and a Class 4 wastewater license. He has obtained his certifications in Utility Management and Utility Finance from Water University. Roger graduated from college with an Associates Agriculture Business. Roger also serves as a council member on the village board of his hometown in Southern Illinois.
Heather has been with IRWA for 23 years. She coordinates all IRWA conferences, as well as maintains the membership and the IRWA website.
Denise Burke - Chief Financial Officer/Chief Publications OfficerDenise joined the IRWA staff in April 2003. She is responsible for the Accounting and Financial Reporting procedures, National Reporting Procedures, assisting the training staff with all of the USEPA Water and Wastewater training sessions, organizing the annual IRWA Golf Outing, the Technical Assistance Bulletin and the IRWA Water Ways Magazine.
Evan Jones - Director of Field Staff Programs/Circuit Rider #1Evan was hired in the summer of 2013 to fill in for the Source Water program. He moved over to the Circuit Rider position in October 2013, in 2015 wastewater technician for the Northern part half of the state, and in 2017 he was again moved to Circuit Rider. He covers the counties in the west central part of the state. Evan provides communities with on-site technical assistance. He has over ten years experience in the water and wastewater field. Evan grew up working in the private sector drilling wells and pumps and installing septic systems and drain fields for the family business. He then made the change to the municipal side where he has worked at water treatment plants and distribution systems. He has also worked at wastewater treatment plants and their collection systems. Evan has attended NRWA's Emergency Response training for several years in order to better assist communities all over the state in an emergency. Evan holds a Class B water Certificate and is currently testing for his Class 2 wastewater and his operator in training for Class A.
Jason covers Southern Illinois and is responsible for assisting communities with on-site technical assistance, leak detection, rate studies, and other issues with daily operation of a water supply. He holds a Class C Water Operator and Class 3 Wastewater Operator licenses. Jason was the water and wastewater operator for the past 15 years for the Village of Edgewood. He has 19 years in the industry.
Chuck joined the IRWA staff in November 1997, as a Groundwater Specialist. Chuck assisted Communities with protecting the water source with Groundwater Protection Plans. In 2008 Chuck transferred to the Circuit Rider program. Chuck currently holds the position of Circuit Rider #3. Chuck covers west central Illinois and is responsible for assisting communities with on-site technical assistance, leak detection, rate studies, operator certification and other functions related to daily operation of a water supply. Previously Chuck was a water operator for 10 years at a 2.5 MGD lime softening groundwater treatment plant. Chuck holds a Class A water license and has 30 years experience in the drinking water industry.
Clark Cameron - State Circuit RiderClark joined our team in August 2018. He has 18 years in the water and wastewater industry and holds a Class C water license.. He assists communities with such activities such as; technical training and compliance issues, capacity development related activities, operator training and certification, identification of unaccounted for water loss and identifying improvements to the overall operation of the public water supply system. Before coming to IRWA he worked at a 4 million gallon/day water plant.
Jeff McCready - Wastewater Technician #1
Scott joined our staff in January 2022. He comes from upper New York State and has 34 years’ experience in municipal Water and Wastewater treatment. Scott currently holds Class 4A wastewater and class 1A water licenses in New York. He is hoping to cross over to Illinois as a class A water and class I wastewater certified operator. He was chief operator of a 1 mgd activated sludge plant as well as Lab director for Town of Ontario for 30 years. Scott will be responsible for technical assistance and training for the southern half of the state.
Dave started with the Association in February 2019. His primary responsibility is to coordinate and establish training sessions for water supply operators. For those not familiar with Dave, he comes to IRWA out of retirement from Illinois EPA. Dave culminated his career with the state in December 2018 after spending over 33 years working with Illinois water supplies. He hopes to continue contributing to the industry by assisting in the continuing education of Illinois' water supply professionals.
Steve began in his position with the Association in February 2022 after retiring from the Illinois EPA. Steve’s work with community water supplies includes 28 years working with Illinois EPA, including 5 years as the manager of the Agency’s Field Operations Section. In continuing his career in the potable water industry, Steve’s responsibilities with the Association include coordinating training sessions and providing technical assistance for community water supplies in Illinois.
Jeff began his position as Apprenticeship Coordinator in November of 2020. He was previously on the IRWA board for 16 years. He has 33 years’ experience in the water and wastewater field. Jeff currently holds Class B water, Class IV Wastewater and Illinois Plumber licenses.
Marc joined the IRWA staff in January 2021 as a Circuit Rider. He is now the Apprenticeship Instructor. Marc holds training sessions all over the state to prepare the students in the Apprenticeship program for their water and wastewater exams. He holds a Class A water license and a Class 1 wastewater license as well as a Class K Industrial license. Before his career at IRWA, he was the Superintendent for the Village of Tonica for 19 years.
Kent came to the Association as the Source Water Protection Specialist in September 2021. He moved to the newly created Wastewater Training and Technical Assistance program in March 2022. Kent provides Wastewater Training sessions for continuing education, and on-site technical assistance to systems throughout the State. He holds a Class 1 wastewater, and a Class A water license. He has over 30 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry including 17 years in contract operations, and over 12 years the Manager of a 4 MGD combined surface water/groundwater treatment supply.
Dave took over the Energy Efficiency position in March of 2022. Before coming to IRWA, Dave worked at a 4 million gallon/day water plant for 38 years, 21 of those as Superintendent. He holds a Class A water license. Dave visits systems to assess electric bills, system assets and operational procedures to help them save money on their daily operations.
Rich began his position in June 2022. He assists systems thoughout the state create sourcewater protection plans.
Mary Reed - Compliance Assurance SpecialistMary started at the Association in October 2022 after retiring from the Illinois EPA. Mary’s work with community water supplies includes 24 years working with the drinking water compliance unit, including 4.5 years as the manager of that unit. In continuing her career in the potable water industry, Mary will assist community water supplies to remain and/or return to compliance with state and federal rules and regulations relating to potable water.
Illinois Rural Water Association
3305 Kennedy Road; PO Box 49
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: 217-287-2115
Fax: 217-824-8638
Email: ilrwa@ilrwa.org
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