Paul Cornejo: Operations Manager at AOS Utility Services, Prescott AZ

Joseph Blackman interviewed Paul Cornejo, the operations manager at AOS Utility Services, about his role, career path, and the state of the public works industry. Paul Cornejo detailed his multiple responsibilities at AOS Utility Services, which include consulting, contract operations, and drone inspections, and emphasized the need for small companies to network and attend conferences to keep up with industry regulations like the AWQS sampling requirements. The discussion covered Paul Cornejo’s advice for young professionals to dedicate time daily to studying for self-development, the importance of strong communication and troubleshooting skills for operations managers, and the different approaches needed when communicating with regulators versus students. Paul Cornejo shared a professional success story at Epcor Water where they received the President's award for repurposing a pre-aeration basin to meet Class A+ water requirements, and stressed the importance of appreciating employees to aid retention. The interview concluded with talking points on the public misconception of wastewater treatment, the necessity of direct potable water reuse, the need to introduce the industry to young people to address the "silver tsunami effect," and Paul Cornejo's advice for managers to lead by the Golden Rule. Give the show a listen and remember to thank you local Public Works Professionals.