Page 6 - JanFeb2026 Vol 43 No 6

STATEWIDE By Ethan Skaggs
A Vision for the Future of TCAPWA

A Letter from Your 2026 Chapter President

It is an honor to serve as President
of this organization for the year 2026.
TCAPWA has been a blessing beyond
explanation for me personally and
professionally. Our organization has
provided me with education, opportunity,
has helped me build a rewarding career,
and I have gained countless lifelong
friendships in our industry that I hold
close to my heart.
I am eternally thankful for TCAPWA
and each of the thousands of members
who I have worked alongside for almost
10 years now.
Anyone who has met me knows, I
love telling a good story, sharing life
experiences with one another. I value
the real and true relationships we have
as colleagues, and just as people in this
blessed life we walk through together. I
also remember and catalogue great quotes associate yourself with, will have a
that help us remember the importance substantial impact on you and your
of things that we may lose sight of in this career.
busy and bustling life. Not only be thoughtful about
I will use some to share my vision who is around you, but who you are,
of our organization in the future. The as people look to keep you around
keys to our continued success as an them. Be the best version of yourself,
organization, from my experience, are and the individual people feel blessed
a thoughtful balance of these simple to have you around them. As I look
things: Relationships, Education, Career at the future of TCAPWA, I know we
Development, Workforce Development, are already doing this at the highest
Technology and Innovation, and level. We must stay the course to
most importantly Value Added to our continue our success.
Membership. I hope you take some My oldest child, Vivien, was
time with me as I share a few quotes born five years ago. She was
and stories to help explain these simple starting her first year in school as
things we already do so well, and why we a kindergartener when I served Ethan Skaggs and APWA Region III Director Jeffery Brown
must continue to do even better for our this organization as the West Branch
organization and our colleagues’ success Director. Our then-Chapter President, “What got you where you are, won’t
in the future. John Fox, invited my family into his home get you where you’re going.”
“Show me your five closest friends to enjoy his pool during the summer. My – Marshall Goldsmith
and I will show you your future.” daughter’s first swimming experience This simply means that habits,
was at the home of one of my closest
– Jim Rohn colleagues from TCAPWA. strategies, and skills that led to past
This is a well-known adage that Now a lifelong friend, he and I success may no longer be effective for
means the people you surround yourself experienced a memory that my family will future growth. It encourages individuals
with, will influence your future success, carry with us for the rest of our lives. That to evolve, adapt, and develop new
habits, and mindset. I encourage every had nothing to do with the hard work behaviors to achieve new goals, since
single one of you as Public Works we have as Public Works professionals; continuing to rely on old methods can
professionals to be intentional and we were simply doing life together. Keep lead to stagnation. To move forward, one
thoughtful about who you surround people around you who are invested in must look beyond their comfort zone
yourself with. The people you choose to doing life well, and do that for yourself. and change their thinking and actions.

6 TPW January/February 2026