Houston Black has been in the water and wastewater industry for over 10 years. Houston started with CWS as a Wastewater Lagoon Operator, later operating an Activated Sludge Plant with daily lab operations, then moving into the Drinking Water Treatment Plant as an operator. At the Beulah project, he was a Project Manager overseeing four employees, a Water Distribution System with over 200 miles of distribution pipe, one ground storage tank, and over 3,300 customer services. He was also responsible for developing the Cross Control Program & Flushing Program for the water distribution system. Along with the Water Distribution System, Houston also managed and operated two wastewater treatment facilities. In addition, he has been providing tank inspections since 2015 and oversaw a tank demolition, as well as various renovation projects in Beulah. Houston has gained experience and knowledge in budget development and financial management; accounting; financial planning; management of multiple budgets totaling over $2 million; working with engineers and contractors during major construction projects; problem-solving; innovative thinking; personnel management; motivation of personnel’s individual growth; and the development of leaders.
Houston is a proven manager with a tremendous understanding of water and wastewater systems who was recently named as Chief Operations Officer for our firm. His accomplishments have not gone unnoticed as he was recognized by the AWWA Alabama-Mississippi Section as the “2016 Young Professional of the Year”.