Gabriella Zanzarella: Stormwater Operations Analyst @ High Point, NC

Joseph Blackman introduced Gabby Zanzarella, a Stormwater Operations Analyst for High Point, North Carolina, whose role involves protecting water quality, maintaining infrastructure, and environmental stewardship, often in high-pressure situations, requiring adaptability and effective communication. Gabby shared her non-traditional career path, which included a degree in environmental management and experience in urban forestry and nonprofit work, and discussed how their passion for hula hooping unexpectedly reinforced their service mentality and contributed to their professional trajectory. Essential to their success is maintaining an educational approach to resolve conflicts with residents and continuously improving through curiosity and observing peer organizations, with success defined by operational smoothness and residents understanding their impact on water quality, as highlighted by their "Only rain down the drain" campaign. Give the show a listen and remember to thank your local Public Works Professionals.