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Your Rural Water Team

Leadership Team 

Heather Somers serves as Executive Director of the North Carolina Rural Water Association, where she is passionate about strengthening North Carolina's rural water and wastewater communities through onsite technical assistance, comprehensive training, workforce development, and facilitating collaboration among utilities and industry partners. She began her career as a Water Operator in rural West Virginia before earning a bachelor's degree in Business Management and moving into Association leadership. Heather is proud to hold both a North Carolina B-Surface Water Treatment Operator License and a C-Distribution Operator License and believes her experience in operations provides valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today's utilities. Heather lives in Lexington with her husband. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the incredible diversity that North Carolina has to offer, eating at small town diners and playing mahjong - although she is far more competitive than the game probably requires.

Heather Somers

Executive Director

Leading the team that supports the professionals who keep clean water flowing across North Carolina

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Alan has been a dedicated member of NCRWA for 22 years, beginning in the Wellhead Protection Program before moving into the Training Division, which he has managed for the past 15 years. Throughout his time with Rural Water, he has supported many areas of the organization, including helping develop its first website, serving as a circuit rider when needed, and teaching training classes. Before joining NCRWA, Alan worked as Water Plant Superintendent for the Town of Carthage and built a strong foundation in the water industry, starting in the mid-1980s with the Town of Southern Pines. There, he advanced from maintenance into operations, earned the highest level of certification, and managed major projects, including a plant expansion, chemical feed system upgrades, and water quality improvements. Prior to Carthage, Alan worked as a well technician for Moore County, maintaining wells and pumping stations, upgrading chemical feed and piping systems, and handling water sampling and customer service responsibilities. In 2000, he accepted the superintendent position with the Town of Carthage, where he played a key role in overseeing the construction and startup of a new water treatment plant while ensuring the existing facility continued to provide safe, reliable drinking water. Alan also shared his expertise as an instructor for the NC Water Operators Association, teaching at annual training schools and helping develop the next generation of water professionals.

Alan Oldham

Training Manager

Dedicated to Training the next Generation of Water and Wastewater Operators

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Jamie Walker is a seasoned association management professional with more than two decades of experience in member services, event planning, organizational leadership, and executive support. As Member Services Manager for the North Carolina Rural Water Association, she oversees member engagement initiatives, sponsorship development, and major events, including an annual conference attended by more than 1,000 industry professionals. Jamie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations from High Point University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology from Davidson County Community College. She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), a Quality Association Specialist (QAS), and a graduate of the prestigious Institute for Organization Management (IOM). Jamie is also an active member of the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) and the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Carolinas Chapter.

Jamie Walker

Member Services Manager

Connecting People, Creating Experiences, Leading with Integrity, Delivering Results.

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Mike Houston serves as the Technical Assistance Federal Program Manager for the North Carolina Rural Water Association, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles, including Water Manager and ORC for Jones County, where the county earned North Carolina’s Best Tasting Water award in 2015, and Back-Up ORC and Laboratory Supervisor at DuPont Kinston Grade 4 Wastewater Facility. After serving five years as an NCRWA Circuit Rider, he was promoted to his current role in 2025. ​ A highly credentialed water professional, Mike is known for his hands-on approach and dedication to supporting rural utilities across North Carolina. Beyond his professional work, he is actively involved in community service through the Pink Hill Ruritan Club, where he was named Ruritan of the Year in 2017, and volunteers as a coach with RADD Inc., helping provide recreational opportunities and support for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Mike Houston

Technical Assistance Federal Program Manager

Technical Expert. Problem Solver. Water System Supporter. Dedicated to helping communities succeed.

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Justin serves as Division Manager for State Programs with the North Carolina Rural Water Association, where he works with utilities across the state to ensure communities receive timely and effective technical assistance. A lifelong advocate for rural communities, Justin spent most of his life in a small New Hampshire town before relocating with his family to North Carolina in 2023, where he continues to enjoy the close-knit, small-town lifestyle and the many opportunities to explore the region. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Water and Wastewater Management from Southern Maine Technical College and previously served with the Granite State Rural Water Association before joining NCRWA. Justin and his wife reside in Burlington with their two cats. Outside of work, they enjoy gardening, hiking, kayaking, discovering local restaurants, and spending time with their children, who live nearby.

Justin Shaw

Technical Assistance Manager

Passionate woodworker, fly fisherman, and proud father with a love for the outdoors, attention to detail, and a commitment to preserving the environment.

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Member Services Division

Wilma Herrera works with the North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA), where she focuses on marketing, social media, member engagement, and promoting programs that support water and wastewater professionals across North Carolina. She was educated in Germany, earning a degree in Administration and training as a Medical Laboratory Technician. After moving to the United States, she also trained in Graphic Design, which sparked her passion for communications, marketing, and creative outreach. Wilma enjoys helping organizations connect with people, grow their impact, and make a difference in their communities. Outside of work, she is the founder of US Dog Coalition & Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to helping dogs in need through rescue, advocacy, and community support.

Wilma Herrera

Marketing & Communications Specialist

Rural water supporter. Nonprofit founder. Dog lover. Direct communicator. Always working to make a difference.

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I serve as a Member Engagement Specialist with NCRWA, where I work to support our customers and help provide the resources, training, and services they need to succeed. My responsibilities include assisting in registrations, coordinating training programs and events, managing contracts and administrative processes, and helping ensure a positive experience for NCRWA members. I bring more than 16 years of experience in banking, operations, customer service, and administrative support. Throughout my career, I have developed a strong passion for building relationships, solving problems, and providing dependable service. I’m proud to be a part of NCRWA and to play a role in supporting water and wastewater professionals and communities across North Carolina. Outside of work I enjoy following sports, cooking, and spending time barbecuing on my smoker with family and friends. I also enjoy traveling and exploring new places, experiencing new cultures, and making lasting memories along the way.

Dax Williamson

Member Engagement Specialist

Driving Member Engagement, Training, and Operational Excellence for North Carolina’s Water Industry

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My name is Becky, and I am a Member Engagement Specialist with five years experience at NCRWA. I enjoy helping our members as well as nonmembers, with all things customer service related. Outside of work I love to antique and thrift shop and spend time with my four grandchildren.

Becky Scott

Member Engagement Specialist

Always striving to provide exceptional customer service.

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Training Division

Amanda Boyd

Continuing Education Training Coordinator/Training Specialist

From Small-Town Utilities to Serving Rural Communities Across North Carolina

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Austin Burke

Workforce Development Coordinator

Championing Sustainable Solutions Through Expertise and Leadership

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Phillip Lawrence

Training Specialist

Empowering Todays Workforce by Developing Tomorrow's Utility Experts.

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Ronnie Murray

Safety Training Specialist

Flexible team player, dedicated to playing it safe and teaching others to do the same. Helping to get the “risky” work done without regrets.

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Carlton Smith

Training Specialist

Unless it’s fun, make it ONE AND DONE…and taking certification exams ain’t fun.

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Troy Branch

Training Specialist

Educating, Mentoring, and Empowering the Next Generation of Water and Wastewater Operators.

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Cheri Proctor

Certification School Coordinator/Training Specialist

Helping North Carolina operators obtain their state water and wastewater certifications.

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Mac Merritt

BFCC Instructor/Training Specialist

Helping Industry Professionals Test, Repair, and Protect with Confidence.

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Danny Smith

Training Specialist

I have enjoyed doing my part to provide safe, clean drinking water and training others to carry that torch.

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Technical Assistance Division

Troy Cassidy

Wastewater Specialist

Training today’s operators, shaping tomorrow’s utilities.

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Bobby Cavenaugh

Water Circuit Rider

Championing Sustainable Solutions Through Expertise and Leadership.

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Katie Dunning

Source Water Protection Specialist

I'm here to make plans easy, every step of the way

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Tyson Edwards

Water Circuit Rider

Supporting those we serve because they're more than members, they're our community.

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Paul Langfield

Water Circuit Rider

Experience. Expertise. Service. Supporting North Carolina's Water Systems for Over 30 Years.

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John Malone

EPA Training/ Technical Assistance Specialist

Helping communities through sharing knowledge and experience.

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Joey White

Water Circuit Rider

Providing Technical Expertise for Sustainable Drinking Water Systems

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Matt Casto

Source Water Protection Specialist

Wheeze the juice buuuuuddies!

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Richard Davis

Wastewater Specialist

A Lifetime of Service. A Passion for Water.

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Ashley Edwards

Energy Efficiency Specialist

Life's better with a little adventure!

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Jordan Jackson

Technical Assistance Program Administrator & Source Water Protection Specialist

A Water and Wastewater Cheerleader, a Cheerleader for you!

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Debbie Maner

Special Projects Specialist

​Supporting those who so diligently serve North Carolina’s water and wastewater system professionals.

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Tim Webb

Wastewater Specialist

Number 1 in the Number 2 business

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NCRWA Training

Build skills, strengthen systems

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