When I put out my first issue as editor of Onsite Installer in April 2013, the decentralized wastewater industry was in a state of flux. Perhaps many of you recall the challenges of running construction-related small businesses at that time. We had just emerged from the Great Recession, a period of turmoil brought on by a real estate crisis. After a period where home and commercial construction had ground to a halt, new wastewater infrastructure was just starting to come back.
As installers brought crews back to work on new systems, there was a growing interest in new technologies to more effectively treat wastewater and reduce the environmental impact of septic systems. New products and methods continued to emerge to allow development outside the confines of municipal sewer lines and on lots previously thought to be substandard for wastewater treatment. It was a fascinating time of change and I was glad to become a part of it.
Today, I look back exactly 11 years later and feel fortunate to have spent this time telling the stories of the fine practitioners of the onsite industry. It has been my great honor to have met and worked with so many professionals who I would be confident entrusting to build and maintain my own septic system.
But it’s time for me to move on.
This magazine launched 20 years ago under the editorial leadership of Ted J. Rulseh, who made — and continues to make — important contributions to the wastewater trade publishing world. In 2013, Ted, at age 60, stepped down from his editor’s role at Installer to spend more time with his family, on his fishing boat and writing several books. He continues to be seen in this magazine as a contributor.
I’m facing the same situation as Ted, who was my first boss in the journalism field 43 years ago and whom I continue to work with today. I’m 65 years old this month and hoping to spend a little more time in other pursuits, including volunteering, traveling and camping. My wife, Judy, and I just bought a small travel trailer and want to visit and hike through as many Midwest state parks as we can get to. While I expand leisure time, I will remain involved in the wastewater industry as editor of Pumper and Portable Restroom Operator magazines.
WELCOME TIM
Just as Ted served as a talented and capable journalist covering the wastewater industry, it’s gratifying to know I’m turning over the reins to another professional who has already written for Onsite Installer. Starting with the May issue, your new contact will be Tim Dobbins, a fellow COLE Publishing editor. Tim is presently editor of the newest COLE magazine, DCR, or Disaster Cleanup & Recovery Contractor. Tim has been providing System Profile features and Product Spotlight stories for Installer for a few years and is developing a greater understanding of the challenges our contractors face.
Please extend to Tim the same warm welcome and spirit of cooperation you offered me when I started out. I carry many fond memories of the great community of installers who have shaped the direction of this magazine, providing educational value and sharing their small business acumen for the benefit of all in the industry.
Many of us met and formed personal relationships through what was previously called the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo and now known as the WWETT Show. First in Nashville, then in Louisville and later Indianapolis, you were so kind and helpful to me during Education Day seminars, walking the show floor and during social times at meals and in the evenings. I appreciated the camaraderie and learning from the best in the business.
I also have enjoyed rewarding relationships with the wastewater educators at the University of Minnesota Water Resource Center and University Extension. The lineage of this program’s contributions to COLE Publishing readers started with the original Septic System Answer Man, Roger Machmeier, through his column in our Pumper magazine. I’m sure many of you remember Roger, who was followed by the dynamic education duo of Jim Anderson and David Gustafson, who wrote the Basic Training column in Installer for many years and were classroom fixtures at the WWETT Show.
Recently Jim and Dave stepped away and their duties have been turned over to Sara Heger, also of the U of M, who continues to provide insightful content through her Onsite Insights column. It has been an honor to work with these industry trailblazers.
MANY THANKS TO YOU
Over the years, many of you have been gracious to volunteer your time to help me meet the goals I had for this magazine: contractors helping contractors improve the onsite industry. Through our profile stories, installers have explained how they run a successful small business. You have freely given tips on how you lead a work crew, what tools you find most valuable in the field, and share how you overcome design and excavation challenges.
In parting, I ask you to continue on in this mission. Keep working with Tim to continually improve the content of the magazine. After all, it’s not just our magazine at COLE Publishing, it’s your magazine. Just like you’ve been able to contact me over the past 11 years, you will be able to reach out to Tim by writing to editor@onsiteinstaller.com.
I would like to end my tenure at Installer the way I started out. To quote the last line of my introductory editor’s column so many years ago: By sharing success stories, you’re serving to build the professionalism of the entire industry. And that’s what Installer is all about.
