ABINGDON, VA, July 19, 2007 -- The Washington County Service Authority has promoted Robbie Cornett to assistant general manager/operations and maintenance manager.
Cornett, who has extensive experience in operating the water distribution system, has been the service authority's interim general manager since February 2006. He joined the WCSA as a draftsman in 1989 and later served as both distribution and technical manager. A graduate of Virginia Highlands Community College, Cornett has attended various training conferences with the American Water Works Association, where he serves on the water loss control committee, and the Virginia Rural Water Association. He also has extensive experience with AutoCAD and GIS software.
"We are fortunate to have someone of Robbie's caliber in this role," says Gerald Cole, chairman of the WCSA board of directors. "With his years of experience in water distribution and maintenance activities and his recent role as interim general manager, we are confident in his ability to assume the duties of assistant general manager/operations and maintenance manager. Robbie will continue to play a vital role in the daily operations of the WCSA."
Cornett will be responsible for the water and wastewater operations of Washington County, Va., which has a population of more than 51,000 citizens and includes five industrial parks. He will direct and administer the operation/maintenance division functions of source and supply, water treatment, water quality, water control, transmission and distribution, maintenance and process control.
Cornett also will support the general manager in managing personnel, consultants, capital improvements, continuous improvement program development and implementation, budgeting, strategic planning and communication with stakeholders. According to Cornett, a new general manager has been selected by the commission. Negotiations for the individual's hiring are in progress.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Washington County," Cornett says. "The WCSA is an award-winning organization dedicated to providing the best in operations, treatment and distribution of drinking water to the public. I look forward to working with the general manager and continuing my longtime relationships with our team of professionals."
The WCSA serves approximately 20,500 water and 1,400 wastewater customers. The water system consists of approximately 900 miles of water line, a 2.5-million-gallon-per-day membrane filtration plant, a 4.6-million-gallon-per-day surface water treatment plant, two springs, one well, multiple pump stations and 17 water storage tanks. The wastewater system consists of approximately 64 miles of wastewater collection lines, 24 pump stations and a wastewater treatment plant.
###
