Young Professionals Committee

The Young Professionals (YP) Committee actively pursues the advancement of students and younger professionals and serves as a “Welcome Mat” for OAWWA and for the water industry as a whole. OAWWA considers YPs to be below the age of 36 or with less than 10 years of experience in the industry. Many of our events are approved for Ohio EPA water operator contact hours and are open to professionals of all career stages.

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Contact Info

YP Committee Chair – Matous Becker
YP Committee Chair Elect – Dan Flower
Past Chair - Dane Elliot
District Coordinator - Jake Logan
Outreach Coordinator - Alex Short
NE District Co-YP Representative – Leah Dickerson
NE District Co-YP Representative – Allison Yohanan
NW District Co-YP Representative – Vinny Lupica
NW District Co-YP Representative – Kyle Yun
SE District Co-YP Representative – Sarah Higgins
SE District Co-YP Representative – Anna Hentzel
SW District Co-YP Representative – Andre Eddy
SW District Co-YP Representative – Kathryn Loehr
Fresh Ideas Organizer – Josh Fuchs
Fresh Ideas Organizer – Vinny Anderson
State Science Day Organizer - Mia Wang
State Science Day Organizer - Megan Nicholson
OWEA Liaison – Katie Fisher
University Liaison – Sammy Partridge
Careers in Water Panel Organizer - Yun Yi Amelie Thomas
Careers in Water Panel Organizer - Jayne Griffith
Newsletter Committee Liaison - Kate Vecchio
Newsletter Committee Liaison - Maria DeLuca
Membership Committee Liaison - Ethan Harper
Charitable Outreach Committee Liaison - Miranda Sheitlin
Diversity & Inclusion Committee Liaison - Abhi Nair
WUC Liaison - Jacob Gardner
Technology Committee Liaison - Eddie Machek

Who Should Join Us?

Do you want to meet other professionals across the water and wastewater industry? Do you enjoy behind-the-scenes facility tours featuring cutting-edge equipment and processes? Do you need continuing education or operator training hours, and are looking for opportunities that are both educational and entertaining? Do you want to get involved in the industry, “pay it forward,” and stay up to date with ideas and issues from all over the state?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then the YP Committee is right for you! The YP Committee offers the opportunities discussed above – and many more. Getting involved is a great way to meet young professionals in the field, explore career opportunities, find mentors, and get the skills and knowledge you need for advancement. Many professionals credit the YP Committee as the best way to advance professional relationships and stay informed as a newer employee. Come join us at our next event!

What does the YP Committee Do?

Provides educational opportunities that include operator contact hours - e.g., water and wastewater plant tours, Brewery Tours, Zoos, Dams, and more
Student outreach - high schools, universities, State Science Fair, presentations for university clubs
Volunteering - 5Ks, river clean-ups, and more
Happy hours and other social events.
Hosts the annual Ohio YP Summit – a hands-on networking and leadership development event.
Participates in the Annual One Water Conference:

Annual in-person committee meeting
Booth in the expo hall
Student research presentation competition (“Fresh Ideas Competition”)

(Congratulations to our current District Bowling Champions, the NW YPs!)

How often do we meet?

Statewide YP committee calls take place every other month. All YPs are welcome to join in! Contact the committee chair to get information on joining the monthly call.
Events happen throughout the year - check our calendar, join our mailing list, join our WhatsApp Community, or email your district representatives to find out about upcoming events!

How to get involved?

Contact the current Chair or one of your district representatives to find out how you can get involved with the YP group!

YP Resources