New Competitor Leads New Team

From the left, Jason Scoble, Brian Carlson, and DJ McBride members of the Nevada Water Environment Association Dumplings team compete during the Operations Challenge 2014 Laboratory Event. Photo courtesy of Kieffer Photography.

For the first time in many years, the Nevada Water Environment Association sent a team to compete last year at WEFTEC^® 2013. Each member of that team went home and started his or her own Operations Challenge team. Brian Carlson went home to the City of Henderson, Nev., and formed the Dumplings.

“This team worked out really well. We bonded,” Carlson said. “We work really well together, [and are] supportive of each other.”

Carlson’s captain title is only a formality, he said. Each team member captains an event. This enables the team to capitalize on each member’s strengths.

Competing last year taught Carlson that he needed committed and driven teammates who were continually improving their performance. “What we started to emphasize when we were putting the team together is the … commitment level that’s required,” he said. “I’ve always asked people to have a good attitude and try and do better than you did the last time.”

Carlson’s teammates hold operator certifications. Nevada does not require certifications; holding these credentials shows these individuals are committed to professional development and studying to pass certification exams, he said.

— Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights