Our Team: Partnerships Based on Communication
Within Our Department- Page 3
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Page 1, With Residents
Page 2, With the BOCC and County Management
Page 3, Within Our Department
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Within Our Department - Leadership Team and Divisions
Wastewater Administrator - John O'Neil
John O'Neil, Wastewater administrator, oversees all functions of Johnson County Wastewater (JCW). He was appointed as administrator in February, 2006, after providing 17 years of leadership to Operations and Maintenance personnel. John has a B.S. degree in environmental engineering technology from Kansas State University, and holds a M.S. in environmental health Science from the University of Kansas. He has also completed post-graduate coursework at Georgia Institute of Technology toward a doctor of philosophy degree in sanitary engineering.
Prior to joining JCW, John worked as an environmental engineer for the city of Athens, Georgia, for five years and as a research engineer for the city of Atlanta for three years.
John's professional memberships include the Kansas Water Environmental Association, American Water Works Association, American Public Works Association, and Water Environmental Federation.
Chief Engineer - John Metzler, P.E.
John Metzler, chief engineer, is also the deputy Wastewater administrator. He is responsible for oversight of all of the engineering functions at Johnson County Wastewater. He has served in this management position for more than two decades.
John holds a B.S. in civil engineering and a master's in environmental engineering, both from the University of Kansas. He is also a member of the League of Kansas Municipalities and the Kansas Water Environment Association.
Operations & Maintenance
Director - Kurt Winters
JCW's Director of Operations and Maintenance, Kurt Winters, provides leadership to personnel responsible for the collection, transportation and treatment of wastewater generated in our service area. He also provides leadership for the Engineering Department. Departmental responsibilities include planning, inspecting, and repairing or upgrading JCW’s sewer lines, pump stations and treatment facilities.
He earned an A.A. with an emphasis in science and mathematics from Johnson County Community College and a B.S. in environmental studies from the University of Kansas. Kurt is currently a member of the Water Environment Federation and the Kansas Water Environment Association.
The Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Division has the responsibility of ensuring that wastewater discharged to the collection system is safely transported to one the county's treatment plants. There, it is treated to levels consistent with operating permits issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment prior to being discharged in receiving streams. O&M staff operates and maintains the collection system (gravity lines, manholes, pump stations and force mains) and treatment facilities to ensure they perform to their design intent which is to protect the water quality in the receiving streams and the health of area residents.
Business Operations and Planning
Director - Beth Brandel
As identified in JCW's Strategic Business Plan, Beth Brandel, director of Business Operations and Planning, is responsible for moving JCW forward. She heads up the financial, human resources, and information technology departmental functions.
Prior to coming to JCW, Beth served as manager of personal property for the Johnson County Appraiser’s Office. She also worked for Sprint Corporation as a financial analysis manager and as an auditor for the Missouri Public Service Commission where she worked on utility rate cases. Beth holds an M.B.A. and a B.B.A. from Pittsburg State University, and is a CPA, licensed in the state of Missouri.
The Business Operations and Planning Division provides vital support services to the other divisions of JCW. These include accounting, budgeting, computer operations, human resources, payroll, and employee relations. Business Operations and Planning employees are involved in many ongoing projects aimed at automating and improving processes at Johnson County Wastewater for the betterment of all its employees and the service that JCW provides.
Asset Management
Director - Stacy Gallick
Stacy Gallick, Asset Management director, has worked for more than 20 years with Johnson County. During much of that time she worked as the database administrator which is an integral position in JCW. She has a wide variety of experience and knowledge of JCW as well as of the county’s organizational and technical infrastructures.
Asset Management is responsible across all JCW divisions for providing the logical, cost effective decision-making framework for making organizational and operational changes. Such project planning helps to strengthen financial and physical resource investments and to prolong the life of the wastewater infrastructure system.
Customer Relations
Director - Lisa Davis
Lisa Davis is the Customer Relations director, one of JCW’s newest roles. For the previous five years, Lisa served as JCW’s user charge manager. She helped to establish and oversee the growth of this new and vital section of JCW.
The Customer Relations Division serves as a single source for all key customer service activities, including informational needs. The Customer Relations Division links business functions such as inspections, permitting, and system expansion activities as well as billing and collections. The ability for staff to meet peak workloads between the various functions and cross-train is enhanced by the creation of this division.
Communications
Director - Lori Sand
Lori Sand is well-suited as the director of Communications. Her previous communications and media expertise in the Kansas City metro area and Johnson County is notable. She served for nearly 15 years as the director of Communications for the Blue Valley School District, a renowned public education system in Johnson County. Lori earned a B.A. in journalism and mass communications from Iowa State University and is a member of the National Association of County Information Officers.
Communications is a focal point for JCW to communicate public information and provide relevant informational materials to the general public, media, JCW staff, and others.