Sponsored by ASTERRA, Imagine H20, Mckim & Creed, and The Water & Health Advisory Council: The Water Entrepreneur podcast program features a series of interviews exploring the origin stories of startup founders, early adopters and innovation champions related to their personal, professional, technical, business, organizational and financial journeys. We will explore how the guests decided to get into the water business, who their mentors are, who inspired them to become entrepreneurs and how they selected a technology to develop from an idea to an invention and finally to a commercially viable innovation. You will hear how they raised funding for their company, selected markets to pursue, navigated organizational hierarchies and evolved as their company grew. They will describe their struggles and successes and explain why they are having the most fun of their lives.
Listen to episodes
60 recent
June 16, 202631 min
Episode 144 Congressman Jim Costa
Congressman Jim Costa represents California’s 21st Congressional District, encompassing Fresno and Tulare counties. A senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, he has played an instrumental role in shaping the 2008, 2014, and 2018 Farm Bills, forging bipartisan partnerships to strengthen food security, support agricultural producers, and invest in rural communities.
A dedicated advocate for the San Joaquin Valley, Congressman Costa has led efforts to secure reliable water resources and advance critical infrastructure investments, including projects such as the B.F. Sisk Dam, Friant-Kern Canal, and Sites Reservoir.
As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Costa is committed to promoting democratic values and advancing U.S. interests abroad. His extensive international engagement has included visits to Ukraine, Armenia, and the Middle East, where he has worked to strengthen diplomatic relationships and support global stability.
Prior to his service in Congress, Costa spent 24 years in the California State Legislature, representing the San Joaquin Valley in both the California State Senate (1994–2002) and California State Assembly (1978–1994), building a distinguished record of public service focused on agriculture, water policy, economic development, and infrastructure.More
June 9, 202651 min
Episode 143 Jennifer Pierre
Jennifer Pierre serves as General Manager of the State Water Contractors (SWC), a statewide nonprofit association representing 27 public water agencies that receive water from California’s State Water Project. Collectively, these agencies provide water to more than 27 million Californians and irrigate approximately 750,000 acres of farmland.
With more than 20 years of experience in California water policy, Delta management, and water supply planning, Jennifer leads the SWC’s efforts to advance reliable, sustainable, and affordable water supplies for communities throughout the state. She is recognized for her commitment to collaboration, science-based decision-making, and balancing water management objectives with environmental stewardship.
Prior to joining SWC in 2017, Jennifer spent 14 years with ICF International, where she served as a Principal and led complex water supply, restoration, and planning projects throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its tributaries. Her expertise includes State Water Project and Central Valley Project operations, environmental compliance, ecosystem management, regulatory policy, and stakeholder engagement. Throughout her career, she has successfully guided multidisciplinary teams of engineers, hydrologists, biologists, and policy experts in developing technical analyses, environmental documentation, and water resource solutions.
Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and Management, with an emphasis in Conservation Biology, from the University of California, Davis.More
April 21, 202651 min
Episode 142 David J. Stuckenberg
Dr. David J. Stuckenberg is an influential strategist and technologist in national security and infrastructure. Recognized for his leadership, he has shaped U.S. defense policy and advised on water security. With extensive experience across government, industry, and academia, he holds over 90 patents and serves as a Colonel in the Air National Guard.More
April 7, 202647 min
Episode 141 Janet Anderson
Dr. Janet Anderson is a board-certified toxicologist and human health risk assessor with over 15 years of experience. Currently a Principal Scientist at Exponent, she specializes in chemical risk management, focusing on emerging contaminants like PFAS and microplastics. Noted for her expertise, she also engages in public speaking and mentoring within the field.More
March 31, 202644 min
Episode 140 Rob Kursinski
Rob Kursinski is a leading atmospheric and space science expert with over 40 years of experience. He is currently the Chief Scientist at PlanetiQ, focusing on satellite atmospheric sensing. Formerly with NASA and a joint professor at the University of Arizona, he has significantly advanced weather observation technologies and atmospheric research.More
March 23, 202641 min
Episode 139 Laura Ramos
Laura Ramos is a highly respected water professional with more than two decades of experience dedicated to advancing water resource management through education, collaboration, and applied research. As the Director of Research and Education at the California Water Institute at California State University, Fresno, Laura leads strategic initiatives that bridge the gap between academic research and real-world implementation—helping communities across California, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley, navigate complex and evolving water challenges.
In her current role, Laura oversees a diverse portfolio of programs focused on sustainable water management solutions for agricultural, urban, environmental, and disadvantaged community interests. Her work centers on engaging a wide range of stakeholders—including faculty, students, public agencies, water managers, and community leaders—to collaboratively address pressing water issues such as infrastructure reliability, water use efficiency, system consolidation, and long-term resource planning. With a strong belief that informed communities are empowered communities, Laura is deeply committed to “elevating the water IQ” through accessible education, outreach, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Laura’s leadership is defined by her ability to translate complex technical research into practical, actionable strategies. She has successfully facilitated partnerships between university researchers and local communities, forming multidisciplinary teams that deliver innovative, data-driven solutions. Her efforts have supported feasibility studies for consolidating small and disadvantaged water systems, advanced stakeholder engagement around critical infrastructure needs, and expanded access to technical assistance and training programs throughout the region.
Prior to her current role, Laura served in several key leadership positions within the California Water Institute, including Interim Director and Associate Director of Research and Education, as well as Programs Manager. In these roles, she managed multiple large-scale programs and grants, while also overseeing marketing, operations, and strategic communications. Her ability to align programmatic goals with community needs has made her a trusted connector between academia and industry.
Laura’s career began at the Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State, where she spent over 18 years as a Program Coordinator. There, she managed staff and mentored students, helping to prepare the next generation of water professionals for successful careers in the field. She also played a key role in organizing and executing dozens of national and international conferences, workshops, and training programs each year—building platforms for knowledge exchange and industry advancement.
Her program experience spans a wide array of initiatives, including water use efficiency for specialty crops, fertigation training, watershed management education, disadvantaged communities technical assistance, and long-standing water policy and technology programs. Laura has also been instrumental in maintaining outreach channels, managing communications platforms, and representing her organization at industry events worldwide.
At the core of Laura’s work is a passion for collaboration, education, and impact. She is continually seeking opportunities to identify water management challenges that can benefit from academic partnership and is driven by the belief that solutions are most effective when they are co-developed with the communities they serve.
Laura holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in International Business from California State University, Fresno.More
March 17, 202646 min
Episode 138 Nick Schexnayder and Alex Foreman
Nicolas Schexnayder, P.E. is a Project Engineer with McKim & Creed specializing in drainage infrastructure, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and municipal water and wastewater systems. Since beginning his engineering career in 2020, he has contributed to the planning, design, and implementation of critical infrastructure projects across Louisiana that improve flood resilience, stormwater management, and community recreation.
Nicolas has led and supported numerous drainage and infrastructure initiatives, including regional detention pond design, municipal drainage trunkline improvements, and multimodal trail redevelopment. His work has helped secure more than $60 million in state and federal funding through programs such as the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Statewide Flood Control Program and the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. He also supports municipalities in grant development, engineering reports, cost estimating, and stakeholder coordination for complex infrastructure upgrades.
In addition to his engineering work, Nicolas is actively involved in professional and community organizations. He serves as President of the Ascension Parks Foundation and contributes to the Women in Transportation Seminar Greater Baton Rouge Chapter as Scholarship Chair. Nicolas earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Louisiana.
Alex Foreman, E.I., CFM is an Engineering Designer with McKim & Creed, Inc., based in Gonzales, Louisiana. He specializes in water resources engineering, supporting the design and analysis of infrastructure projects that improve stormwater management, drainage systems, and flood resilience for communities across Louisiana.
Before joining McKim & Creed, Alex worked as a Water Resources Design Specialist with DDG, where he contributed to hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, drainage design, and infrastructure planning for municipal and regional projects. Earlier in his career, he served as a student intern with Royal Engineers & Consultants in Baton Rouge, gaining hands-on experience in civil engineering design and project support.
Alex earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University. He holds Engineer-in-Training (E.I.) and Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credentials and is focused on developing resilient water infrastructure solutions that support sustainable community growth.More
March 10, 202642 min
Episode 137 Mike Stoup
Mike Stoup, P.E. is the Vice President and E&I Group Manager at McKim & Creed in Clearwater, Florida. With more than 30 years of experience in electrical engineering, automation, and process control, Mike leads a highly skilled electrical and instrumentation team delivering advanced design, programming, and commissioning services for the water and wastewater industry across the southeastern United States and beyond. His team supports projects from early conceptual planning and master planning through detailed design and specification development, specializing in motor controls, power distribution, communications networks, intelligent I/O systems, instrumentation, and PLC and HMI platforms.
Prior to joining McKim & Creed, Mike served as Vice President at DcR Engineering Services, Inc., where he held senior executive responsibility for company profitability and operations across multiple divisions and offices. During his tenure, he played a key role in strengthening safety practices, improving operational processes, and guiding the organization from financial losses to sustained profitability while overseeing dozens of projects simultaneously across industries including municipal utilities, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and power.
Earlier in his career, Mike worked as a Senior Process Control Engineer at Ciba Specialty Chemicals, where he contributed to global initiatives advancing water treatment technologies and telemetry systems. His experience also includes engineering and automation roles with Electro Design Engineering and Reimelt Corporation, where he developed expertise in PLC, HMI, and DCS programming, electrical design, and industrial system integration.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of South Florida and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for combining deep technical knowledge with strong leadership to deliver complex infrastructure and automation solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and safety.More
March 3, 202641 min
Episode 136 Kathryn Sorensen
Kathryn Sorensen is a nationally recognized water policy leader and researcher with decades of experience advancing sustainable water management in Arizona and across the Colorado River Basin. She currently serves as Director of Research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, where she oversees strategic research initiatives focused on water resilience, governance, and long-term resource planning.
Prior to joining ASU, Kathryn served for more than a decade in executive municipal leadership, including as Director of Phoenix Water Services for the City of Phoenix and Director of the Water Resources Department for the City of Mesa. In these roles, she was responsible for delivering safe, reliable water services to millions of Arizonans while strengthening water stewardship across Arizona and the Colorado River Basin.
At Arizona State University, Kathryn also serves as a Professor of Practice in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and as a Senior Global Futures Scientist with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. She is an active member of the Colorado River Research Group and serves on the board of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
Kathryn earned her PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Texas A&M University and her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of Michigan. Her career reflects a deep commitment to sound water policy, evidence-based research, and collaborative leadership in one of the most water-challenged regions of the United States.More
February 24, 202649 min
Episode 135 Allyson Mauck
Allyson Mauck is a Project and Client Manager with eight years of experience delivering complex water, wastewater, and process infrastructure programs across Florida. She is nationally recognized for her leadership in drinking water compliance, particularly in implementation of the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions and Improvements (LCRR/LCRI). Allyson specializes in Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Surveys (SSES), asset management, capital improvement planning, and regulatory coordination, helping utilities navigate evolving compliance landscapes while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
At McKim & Creed, Inc., Allyson serves as a Project Manager in Clearwater, FL, where she leads large-scale municipal programs focused on system resiliency, regulatory compliance, and data-driven infrastructure investment. She currently manages a 10-year, $60 million SSES program for the City of Fort Myers, overseeing flow monitoring, CCTV inspections, smoke and dye testing, manhole assessments, and rehabilitation planning for approximately 27,000 customers. Her leadership integrates trenchless technologies, contractor coordination, and GIS-based decision support to prioritize rehabilitation and reduce inflow and infiltration (I/I).
Allyson has played a pivotal role in regional potable water planning and condition assessment initiatives, including a comprehensive risk-based analysis of 2,199 miles of water mains for Manatee County Utilities. Through predictive analytics and GIS/CMMS integration, she implemented automated risk scoring that identified 50 priority replacements and informed multi-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning focused on reliability, fire flow capacity, and water quality improvements.
A recognized leader in LCRR/LCRI compliance, Allyson managed the inventory and classification of more than 140,000 service lines for Manatee County Utilities. Her approach combined predictive modeling, GIS analysis, and targeted field verification to minimize unnecessary excavation while maintaining regulatory transparency. She also led the compliance initiative for the City of Palmetto, overseeing service line inventory reconciliation, stakeholder communication, and development of a public-facing dashboard to track compliance progress. Her funding strategy secured approximately $1 million in Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) support with 49% principal forgiveness, reducing financial impact on ratepayers.
In addition to compliance and collection system programs, Allyson has supported advanced treatment solutions, including funding and preliminary engineering efforts for a Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant addressing emerging contaminants for the Town of Belleair. She successfully secured $3.25 million in FDEP SRF Emerging Contaminants grant funding, delivering a fully grant-funded design.
Her expertise spans program and project management, SSES and I/I investigations, asset management and condition assessment, SRF funding strategy (DWSRF/CWSRF), regulatory coordination with EPA and FDEP, GIS/CMMS integration, predictive analytics, and public outreach.
Allyson holds a B.S. in Physics from the University of South Florida and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Civil Engineering (Water Resources) at the University of Central Florida. She is a NASSCO Certified Inspector (PACP, MACP, LACP) and serves as Chair of the FSAWWA Region IV Collegiate Committee.
Allyson is driven by a commitment to resilient infrastructure, transparent governance, and data-informed decision-making that strengthens communities and protects public health.More
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
