Pictured: Dan DeMoss, CRWA Executive Director (Left) & Dustin Hardwick, CRWA Deputy Director (Right)
Awards ceremonies are always a time for celebration and appreciation. California Rural Water Association (CRWA) acknowledges the hard work and dedication of water operators, preferred providers, and apprentices during our Annual Awards Banquet as part of the CRWA annual conference. This year, CRWA Deputy Director, Dustin Hardwick, and the Board of Directors took a moment to “honor someone who has been truly essential to the history and success of CRWA.” CRWA Executive Director, Dan DeMoss has committed 35 years to the progress of the California Rural Water Association and the communities it serves.
Dan has served in every capacity starting in the 1980’s when rural water was first planting roots in California. As one of California’s very first Circuit Riders, Dan traveled throughout the state under the National Rural Water Association’s direction providing technical assistance and training to water systems and operators. Dan recalls the days of navigating the state with nothing but a road atlas, change for the payphone, and a certain determination to not only assist water and wastewater systems in rural communities but to build a foundation for what would become the largest Rural Water Association in the nation. Dan continued his Circuit Rider work when in 1990 the California Rural Water Association was formed. Moving from field operations, program manager, and eventually chosen as the Executive Director by the CRWA Board of Directors in 2006. Dustin shared that “Dan’s leadership, vision, and heart have truly shaped CRWA.”
In Dan’s words, “I can’t believe it’s been 35 years” and he expressed his passion for the future of water operations and the safety of the communities served by water and wastewater utilities. He is truly an unforgettable presence and has long lasting relationships with the utilities statewide. Many operations and management staff have taken a class or two from Dan throughout the years or met with him to discuss operations, capital improvement, rate studies, or funding. From these exchanges, Dan has curated CRWA’s toolbox to meet the needs of small and rural communities.
“I can’t believe it’s been 35 years,” said Dan DeMoss, reflecting on his decades of service to California’s rural water systems and his enduring commitment to the future of water operations.
As a result of Dan’s leadership, California Rural Water Association now boasts a staff that is 100 strong who together provide utilities with a wide range of resources and services including technical assistance, emergency response, operator training, two insurance programs, an apprenticeship program, operational services, engineering services, backflow and cross connection testing, compliance reporting, leak detection, smoke testing, and more. Congratulations to an exceptional leader and resolute individual, Dan DeMoss!