2026 Leadership Summit
NCRWA TEAM
HEATHER SOMERS
Leadership Team
Mike Houston serves as the Technical Assistance Federal Program Manager for the North Carolina Rural Water Association, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles, including Water Manager and ORC for Jones County, where the county earned North Carolina’s Best Tasting Water award in 2015, and Back-Up ORC and Laboratory Supervisor at DuPont Kinston Grade 4 Wastewater Facility. After serving five years as an NCRWA Circuit Rider, he was promoted to his current role in 2025.
A highly credentialed water professional, Mike is known for his hands-on approach and dedication to supporting rural utilities across North Carolina. Beyond his professional work, he is actively involved in community service through the Pink Hill Ruritan Club, where he was named Ruritan of the Year in 2017, and volunteers as a coach with RADD Inc., helping provide recreational opportunities and support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Mike Houston
Technical Assistance Federal Program Manager
Heather Somers
Executive Director
Heather Somers serves as Executive Director of the North Carolina Rural Water Association, where she is passionate about strengthening North Carolina's rural water and wastewater communities through onsite technical assistance, comprehensive training, workforce development, and facilitating collaboration among utilities and industry partners.
She began her career as a Water Operator in rural West Virginia before earning a bachelor's degree in Business Management and moving into Association leadership. Heather is proud to hold both a North Carolina B-Surface Water Treatment Operator License and a C-Distribution Operator License and believes her experience in operations provides valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today's utilities.
Heather lives in Lexington with her husband. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the incredible diversity that North Carolina has to offer, eating at small town diners and playing mahjong - although she is far more competitive than the game probably requires.
Technical expert. Problem solver. Water system supporter. Dedicated to helping communities succeed.
Leading the team that supports the professionals who keep clean water flowing across North Carolina
Kristen Moorefield
Finance & HR Manager
Detail-oriented leader dedicated to supporting the NCRWA team, making the difference behind the scenes.
Alan has been a dedicated member of NCRWA for 22 years, beginning in the Wellhead Protection Program before moving into the Training Division, which he has managed for the past 15 years. Throughout his time with Rural Water, he has supported many areas of the organization, including helping develop its first website, serving as a circuit rider when needed, and teaching training classes. Before joining NCRWA, Alan worked as Water Plant Superintendent for the Town of Carthage and built a strong foundation in the water industry, starting in the mid-1980s with the Town of Southern Pines. There, he advanced from maintenance into operations, earned the highest level of certification, and managed major projects, including a plant expansion, chemical feed system upgrades, and water quality improvements.
Prior to Carthage, Alan worked as a well technician for Moore County, maintaining wells and pumping stations, upgrading chemical feed and piping systems, and handling water sampling and customer service responsibilities. In 2000, he accepted the superintendent position with the Town of Carthage, where he played a key role in overseeing the construction and startup of a new water treatment plant while ensuring the existing facility continued to provide safe, reliable drinking water. Alan also shared his expertise as an instructor for the NC Water Operators Association, teaching at annual training schools and helping develop the next generation of water professionals.
Alan Oldham
Training Manager
Justin Shaw
Technical Assistance Manager
919-812-2008
Passionate woodworker, fly fisherman, and proud father with a love for the outdoors, attention to detail, and a commitment to preserving the environment.
Justin Shaw
Technical Assistance Manager
Justin serves as Division Manager for State Programs with the North Carolina Rural Water Association, where he works with utilities across the state to ensure communities receive timely and effective technical assistance. A lifelong advocate for rural communities, Justin spent most of his life in a small New Hampshire town before relocating with his family to North Carolina in 2023, where he continues to enjoy the close-knit, small-town lifestyle and the many opportunities to explore the region.
He holds an Associate’s Degree in Water and Wastewater Management from Southern Maine Technical College and previously served with the Granite State Rural Water Association before joining NCRWA.
Justin and his wife reside in Burlington with their two cats. Outside of work, they enjoy gardening, hiking, kayaking, discovering local restaurants, and spending time with their children, who live nearby.
Passionate woodworker, fly fisherman, and proud father with a love for the outdoors, attention to detail, and a commitment to preserving the environment.
Jamie Walker is a seasoned association management professional with more than two decades of experience in member services, event planning, organizational leadership, and executive support.
As Member Services Manager for the North Carolina Rural Water Association, she oversees member engagement initiatives, sponsorship development, and major events, including an annual conference attended by more than 1,000 industry professionals.
Jamie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations from High Point University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology from Davidson County Community College. She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), a Quality Association Specialist (QAS), and a graduate of the prestigious Institute for Organization Management (IOM).
Jamie is also an active member of the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) and the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Carolinas Chapter.
Connecting People, Creating Experiences, Leading with Integrity, Delivering Results
Jamie Walker
Member Services Manager
Member Services Division
Wilma Herrera
Marketing & Communication Specialist
Wilma Herrera works with the North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA), where she focuses on marketing, social media, member engagement, and promoting programs that support water and wastewater professionals across North Carolina.
She was educated in Germany, earning a degree in Administration and training as a Medical Laboratory Technician. After moving to the United States, she also trained in Graphic Design, which sparked her passion for communications, marketing, and creative outreach. Wilma enjoys helping organizations connect with people, grow their impact, and make a difference in their communities.
Outside of work, she is the founder of US Dog Coalition & Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to helping dogs in need through rescue, advocacy, and community support.
Rural water supporter. Nonprofit founder. Dog lover. Direct communicator. Always working to make a difference.
Becky Scott
Member Engagement Specialist
My name is Becky, and I am a Member Engagement Specialist with five years experience at NCRWA. I enjoy helping our members as well as nonmembers, with all things customer service related.
Outside of work I love to antique and thrift shop and spend time with my four grandchildren.
Always striving to provide exceptional customer service
Dax Williamson
Member Engagement Specialist
FINANCE DIVISION
Sarah Mills
Finance & HR Specialist
Sarah is the Finance & HR Specialist at the North Carolina Rural Water Association, where she supports the organization’s financial operations, payroll, benefits, and data organization. She enjoys taking on new challenges, improving processes, and working behind the scenes to help the Association succeed. Always eager to learn and lend a hand, Sarah values collaboration and takes pride in supporting her team wherever she’s needed most.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her three children and puppy, venturing through nature, getting lost in a good book, and exploring new creative endeavors. She is naturally curious and enjoys any opportunity to learn, create, and bring new ideas to life.
TBD
TRAINING DIVISION
Amanda Boyd
Continuing Education Training Coordinator/Training Specialist
919-812-1191
Amanda Boyd
Continuing Education Training Coordinator/Training Specialist
Born and raised in Cove City, North Carolina, I am proud to serve the rural communities that feel so much like home. My career in the water and wastewater industry began in my hometown, where I spent more than 10 years working in a variety of roles, including meter reader, billing clerk, Distribution ORC, Collection ORC, and Utilities Director. These experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication required to operate a successful utility. I am especially grateful for the support and mentorship I received from NCRWA and its Circuit Riders, whose guidance helped shape my career.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, caring for our Black Angus cattle, and making memories with friends and loved ones. I am an active member of Cove City Free Will Baptist Church, where I serve in several ministry roles, and I also serve as Treasurer for the Cove City Volunteer Fire Department. My faith, family, and community are at the heart of everything I do and continue to guide both my personal and professional life.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" — Romans 8:31
From Small-Town Utilities to Serving Rural Communities Across North Carolina
Cheri Proctor
Certification School Coordinator/Training Specialist
919-812-2940
Cheri Proctor
Certification School Coordinator/Training Specialist
Phillip Lawrence dedicated more than 36 years to public works and utilities, building a career defined by leadership, integrity, and a commitment to serving the residents of Sanford, North Carolina. Retiring as Administrator of the Tri River Water Division for the City of Sanford, he oversaw daily operations, personnel, budgets, capital improvement projects, fleet management, and infrastructure maintenance, helping ensure reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services for the community.
Throughout his career, Phillip earned a reputation for operational excellence, regulatory compliance, safety leadership, and workforce development. His expertise spans water distribution, sewer collection systems, construction supervision, emergency response, and infrastructure planning. A dedicated mentor and leader, he helped develop future utility professionals while maintaining high standards of service and accountability. His professional certifications include North Carolina A Distribution Certification, A-ORC Cross Connection Certification, and Grade II Collection System Certification, reflecting a legacy of technical expertise and public service.
Phillip Lawrence
Training Specialist
Carlton Smith
Training Specialist
Mac Merrit
BFCC Instructor/Training Specialist
Danny Smith
BFCC Instructor/Training Specialist
dannysmith@ncrwa.org
336-590-6800
Danny Smith
Training Specialist
Ronnie Murray
Safety Training Specialist
North Carolina has always been home, and I hope it always will be. As a native of Raleigh, I was proud to serve 9 years in the water and wastewater departments of public utilities. Being an operator on such a large sewer and water network helped me gain a wealth of experience. I capitalized on this during my 3 years as a backflow tester. Although I’m comfortable operating in the “big city” atmosphere, I prefer the simple and slower pace of the rural communities.
That’s one reason I am proud to work for NCRWA, and it's what makes it such a good fit for me. The focus of our team is on the smaller systems, but we offer a variety of top-rate services to even the largest systems in our state. I enjoy traveling across NC and assisting the hard-working men and women who keep the water and wastewater flowing. When I’m not representing NCRWA, I enjoy being a husband, brother, dad and grandpop. I like to stay active by fishing and exploring in my kayak, bicycling and working out. My family and I are members of Cross Assembly Church, and we greatly appreciate the friends and neighbors of our local community.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION
Carolyn Bynum
Workforce Development Coordinator
Austin Burke
Special Projects Specialist
austinburke@ncrwa.org
336-780-0531
Austin Burke
Special Projects Specialist
Championing Sustainable Solutions Through Expertise and Leadership
I have been in the water industry my entire adult life. Right out of high school, at the age of 18, I got my first job with a county municipality in Virginia. I began by doing landscaping at all the pump stations, hydrants, and sample stations in the district. Over time, I advanced and filled various roles that allowed me the opportunity to gain experience in virtually every aspect of our distribution system. In April of 2018, I received the highest distribution license granted by the state of Virginia. In 2020, I transferred from distribution to water treatment, where I would obtain my Class 2 treatment certification in Virginia. I filled that position until my family and I moved to North Carolina in 2023.
Troy Cassidy
Wastewater Specialist
troycassidy@ncrwa.org
919-812-5119
Troy Cassidy
Wastewater Specialist
Matt Casto
Source Water Protection Specialist
Bobby Cavenaugh
Water Circuit Rider
Bobby Cavanaugh began his professional career in civil design, specializing in water and sewer infrastructure while working with several engineering firms. He later transitioned into public service, serving as Public Works Director for the Town of Wallace and then for the Town of Rose Hill.
Building on his leadership experience, Bobby went on to serve as both Town Administrator and Finance Officer for Rose Hill. After retiring from municipal government, he joined the North Carolina Rural Water Association, originally working in the eastern region of the state before relocating to western North Carolina prior to a major hurricane event. He now resides near Boone.
Bobby currently serves as a Water Circuit Rider for NCRWA, bringing extensive hands‑on experience and practical knowledge to systems across the state.
Championing Sustainable Solutions Through Expertise and Leadership
Richard Davis
Wastewater Specialist
Katie Dunning
Safety Training Specialist
Katie has been a water/wastewater industry professional since 2013. She began her journey in wastewater, but she is now dual certified and has been assisting systems as a Wellhead Protection Specialist with NCRWA since 2017. She has experience working with systems across North Carolina, with a focus on central and eastern NC.
I’m here to make plans easy, every step of the way.
As the Energy Efficiency Specialist at NCRWA, my career path has been anything but traditional. I earned a degree in Surgical Assisting with an extensive science background, but these days I help water and wastewater systems improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and make smarter energy decisions. I'm certified through the IEP, the Energy Audit Institute, and hold a Utilities Management Certification.
Outside of work, you'll usually find me hiking, working around my homestead, or chasing my next adventure. I spent over a decade racing motocross, I'm a two-time state regional chess champion, I've completed ground school, and I'm an aspiring falconer. I guess you could say I'm drawn to hobbies that involve speed, strategy, or leaving the ground.
Whether I'm solving challenges in the field or learning a new skill, I believe the best solutions come from staying curious, asking good questions, and never being afraid to take a different approach.
Ashley Edwards
Energy Efficiency Specialist
Life's better with a little adventure!
Tyson Edwards
Water Circuit Rider
Supporting those we serve because they're more than members, they're our community.
Tyson has more than 14 years of experience in water and wastewater operations, regulatory compliance, utility management, and infrastructure planning. As a USDA Circuit Rider with the North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA), he provides technical, managerial, and financial assistance to rural utilities across North Carolina, helping improve operations, maintain compliance, strengthen financial stability, and prepare for future infrastructure needs.
Tyson has experience in water loss control, leak detection, asset management, capital improvement planning, rate studies, emergency response planning, and operator training. He is known for developing practical, data-driven solutions that help utilities improve performance and provide reliable service.
Before joining NCRWA, Tyson served as the Distribution Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) and Backup Wastewater and Collections ORC for the Town of Sparta, where he managed water distribution, supported wastewater operations, ensured regulatory compliance, and responded to emergencies.
Tyson holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from Southern New Hampshire University and an Associate Degree in Environmental Management Technology from Pamlico Community College. He also maintains multiple North Carolina water and wastewater certifications in operations, utility management, and finance.
Raised on a farm in a small mountain town, Tyson is passionate about supporting rural communities and helping utilities provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water and wastewater services for future generations.
Jordan loves her job at NC Rural Water Association because she loves helping water and wastewater systems. Overall, she has more than 16 years of water and wastewater utility experience with expertise in source water protection, cross-connection control, wastewater laboratory, and pretreatment programs. Another one of her favorite areas is mapping, and she has vast experience with maintaining and updating utility mapping data and system information.
Jordan is a NC native and graduated from UNC-Wilmington, she then went on to get a Masters of Water Resources from the University of New Mexico. She holds NC Biological Wastewater Grade IV Certification and Well C Water Operator certification in addition to Utility Management Certification issued by National Rural Water Association.
In her free time, she loves traveling, biking, swimming, and beekeeping.
Jodan Jackson
Technical Assistance Program Administrator & Source Water Protection Specialist
Jordan Jackson
Technical Assistance Program Administrator & Source Water Protection Specialist
336-596-3805
My current role as Circuit Rider for NCRWA is to travel Eastern North Carolina and provide water systems with any technical assistance needs.
I see my role as being an advocate for the water and wastewater utility industry and encourage training and continuing education. I served in the United States Marine Corps on active duty from 1986-1990. In 1990, I enrolled at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. I started in the water and wastewater industry after finishing my degree in Environmental Studies from UNC Wilmington in 1994. I was first promoted to a supervisor position in 2001 and have managed and worked at water and wastewater plants and utility systems throughout the State. I have many certifications from the State and AWWA.
Paul Langfield
Water Circuit Rider
John Malone
EPA Training/Technical Assistance Specialist
A Water and Wastewater Cheerleader, A Cheerleader for you!
Debbie Maner
Special Projects Specialist
Joey White
Water Circuit Rider
I have many years of experience in the water industry with a strong work ethic and a commitment to delivering quality results. I bring a positive attitude to every task and enjoy working with others to achieve shared goals. I take pride in maintaining professionalism, adapting to new challenges, and continuously expanding knowledge to stay current with industry best practices.
Outside of my professional responsibilities, I enjoy the outdoors, woodworking, and time with the family.
Providing Technical Expertise for Sustainable Drinking Water Systems
NCRWA Training
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