March 2020 Vol. 75 No. 3
Rehab Technology
NASSCO Celebrates Year of Achievement
During a strategy planning meeting last summer, NASSCO President Jacob Trapani said the association synthesized everything it does into one clear goal: become the industry source for education, technical resources and advocacy.
Membership of NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) currently is 640 companies and organizations representing contractors, system owners, consulting engineers, manufacturers and suppliers.
“With new talent coming into the industry,” Trapani said, “we know it’s important to continually build awareness of NASSCO and our mission to set standards for the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. We want to assure the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies.”
This is accomplished in part, said Trapani, by collaboration with other industry associations and organizations such as:
- Co-publishing Manuals of Practice with WEF and ASCE
- Development of educational tracks for UCT, WWETT and other conferences
- Exhibiting NASSCO’s Sewer History Exhibit at a variety of conferences, with UESI Pipelines being added this year
- Supporting the RehabZone at UCT
- Presentations by NASSCO’s executive director and committee chairpersons at industry events throughout the year
Summarizing significant accomplishments since NASSCO’s annual meeting last April, Trapani cites:
- Formation of the NASSCO Technical Advisory Council (TAC), which consists of industry leaders with impressive experience in assessment, maintenance and a variety of rehabilitation techniques.
- Partnership with SkillsUSA. One of the industry’s greatest needs is the development of a strong workforce to get work done properly. NASSCO’s goal is to work with SkillsUSA on curriculum for junior and senior high school students to promote the many benefits of a career in wastewater assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation.
- Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) Emission Study. After more than a year of intensive in-the-field research, the TTC released its final report, and NASSCO’s Health and Safety Committee is developing guidelines based on the findings.
- NASSCO’s First Regional Exchange. For many years, members and others wanted NASSCO to conduct educational events across the country. In November, NASSCO, in partnership with Doetsch Environmental Services Inc., hosted the NASSCO Motor City Exchange in Dearborn, Mich. Its success resulted in scheduling two exchanges in 2020 for New Orleans and, again, in Dearborn.
Increased involvement
Member participation on committees has increased and has facilitated internal coordination and scheduling.
“Chairs and co-chairs are active and engaged,” Trapani said. “In December, NASSCO’s Government Relations Committee hosted its first Washington D.C. Fly-In, attracting members from across the country to meet with their local representatives.”
Moving NASSCO’s offices to Frederick, Md., has brought numerous benefits, including more convenient for most employees, more appropriately sized for staff, and more amenities, along with lower rent and utility costs. NASSCO also hired a new finance manager, Kevin Ellis, to provide structure and accountability to help set the foundation for future growth.
Trapani also praised NASSCO’s programs to interest young people in careers in the wastewater industry.
“We want to be the source for education, resources and advocacy,” he said. “We also want to support young professionals through our scholarship programs.”
Those programs include the:
- Jack Doheny Memorial Training Scholarship for industry professionals who want to become PACP certified
- Jeffrey D. Ralston Memorial Scholarship for applicants enrolled in college who are dependent or relatives of a NASSCO member active in the industry and is sponsored by an active member
- David Magill Memorial Scholarship, funded by NASSCO and awarded through Virginia Tech University.
Information about applying for a scholarship is available at nassco.org/scholarships.
Trapani is vice president of BLD Services, and his term as NASSCO president will end in April at the 2020 annual meeting. At that time, Vice President Joe Schotthoefer of Doetsch Environmental Services will become NASSO president.
Information about NASSCO and its programs is available on its website, nassco.org, or by calling (301) 624-2400. •
Dedicated to Rehabilitating Infrastructure
During his year as president of NASSCO, Jacob Trapani has continued to manage operations and administration of the rehabilitation division of BLD Services, a full-service public works construction company.
His responsibilities include cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lateral lining and pipe cleaning, and CCTV inspection services. Assisting the company president, Trapani is responsible for developing, implementing and leading all activities to achieve BLD’s financial, quality and safety objectives.
He supports the field operations in all phases of construction and related functions, coordinates training and other skills development for operations personnel, and is responsible for market strategy and customer development.
Trapani’s career has spanned more than 29 years of service to the utility construction and rehabilitation industries. Prior to joining BLD, he had a long career with Insituform Technologies accumulating extensive experience in the CIPP industry. While at Insituform, he held multiple operations management positions including general manager of the Louisiana office, which managed CIPP rehabilitation for Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky, and included a construction portfolio exceeding $50 million annually. •
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