GAWWA Executive Committee
(2024-2025)
Chris Boyd
Chair
Chris has been with the City of Roswell for 25+ years and has over 17 years of experience in the water industry. Chris started out working on a crew and worked his way up to his current position of Water Utility Manager. Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications Management and holds the following licenses: Water Distribution, Backflow Certification, Level 1 A E&S, and is currently working towards obtaining his Class 3 Water operator’s License. Chris has served on the Distribution (Chair from 2009 through 2014), Water Loss, and Awards (Chair) committees.
Paula Hunt
Vice Chair
Paula is a certified project management professional, possessing over 25 years of civil & environmental engineering and project management experience, specializing in water & wastewater system infrastructure. Paula is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, where she received her civil engineering degree, and she received her MBA from Kennesaw State University. She is an integrity infused, results oriented, enthusiastic, and reliable individual who began her career working with the Department of Defense, ending this service at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in the role of Chief of Design & Construction. Her next career move was working with the City of Atlanta, Department of Watershed Management, where she served for approximately 15 years. Paula is currently employed at AECOM, serving in a Project Manager/Client Services role. As a member of GAWWA and GAWP, Paula has served as Chair of the Diversity Committee and Chair of the Membership Committee. Personally, Paula is an advocate for healthy, clean living and enjoys challenging family and friends to enhance their quality of life and become the best version of themselves through proper nutrition and exercise.
“I count it a blessing to be able to serve in the water industry space, connecting with people across the globe who have a passion for protecting and improving the precious resource of water. I am grateful to play a role in changing the circumstances of communities, expecting nothing in return, yet appreciating all the benefits that clean, quality water has to offer. #BBMF (Be Blessed My Friends!) ”
Mike Melton
Senior Trustee
Benjamin Moss
Junior Trustee
Connie Nelms
Secretary-Treasurer
Connie began her career as a Water Professional in 1996 as an operator trainee. The first plant she worked at was a 3.01 MGD surface water package plant. Starting out in a small system she was able to experience the unique challenges/benefits of the small water system. She was able to experience firsthand the many aspects of water treatment such as laboratory and field sampling, hands on maintenance, compliance reporting and sampling, personnel, funding and customer service. She then had the opportunity to go to work at a 12 MGD surface water treatment plant as the Laboratory Analyst for the state certified Bacteriological Lab. She spent 7 years operating and managing the Bacteriological Lab for the City of Carrollton. During this time, she had the opportunity to learn the operations side of the plant. Also, during this time, she was involved to varying degrees of the initial pilot test and construction of a Membrane Filtration Plant. In 2011, she was promoted to Chief Operator and held this position until August 2012 when she was promoted to her current position of Water Plant Superintendent. Connie has been active in GAWP and GAWWA for more than 10 years in varying volunteer aspects. Connie’s hobbies include VBS, sewing, crocheting and spending time with family and friends.
“The past is my lesson. The present is my gift. The future is my motivation!”
Amber Whisner
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Eric Osborne
Past Chair
Eric has been with HCWA for 15 years and has 35 years of experience in the water industry. He started as a Laboratory Analyst and worked up to Water Quality Supervisor. He is currently the Water Production Manager at HCWA. Eric holds 4 State licenses: Class I Water Operator, Distribution Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester. Eric served 11 years on the State Certification Board for Water, Wastewater, and Lab Analysts, his last year as vice-chair. He is a graduate of Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Eric has served as Secretary-Treasurer of GAWWA, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer of GAWWA, and chair of the GAWP Lab committee. Eric is happily married (37 years) to Lori and has two married children, Audrey, 30, and Jared, 33. Eric lives and attends Church in McDonough, GA. Eric tries to live by the words of wisdom his Grandpa Schildt gave him “It’s not a problem; it’s an opportunity.”
Keisha Thorpe
Director
Gary McCoy
GAWP President Elect
Amber Whisner
No Water No Beer