Page 26 - July-Aug22Vol40No2

MEMPHIS By Ethan Skaggs, P.E.
PW Spotlight: Gerald Spencer

Administrator of Street Maintenance, Public Works Division

The TCAPWA Member Spotlight is in Memphis, outside a local gas station. position as a Pollution Control Aide
a chapter initiative which highlights On that day, he struck up a conversation in 2004, where he assisted a Pollution
remarkable Public Works Professionals with Jimmy Hines, City of Memphis Inspector by inspecting sewer outfalls and
across the State of Tennessee. It is the Supervisor. Spencer asked if the city may interceptors, determining the causes of
chapter’s opportunity to share success be hiring, and it just so happened, the sewer issues throughout the community.
stories of our amazing members, their city was accepting part-time employee Career development and opportunities
service, and how their membership applications. in Management and Administration led
has changed their lives, benefiting our Little did he know, that his motivation him to enroll at Southwest Tennessee
profession. and opportunistic query would lead him Community College, with the goal of
It is our pleasure to present this to a successful 18-year (and counting) obtaining a degree to pursue a position in
Member Spotlight, sharing the story and public service career with the City of management.
journey of Gerald Spencer, Administrator Memphis. Attending School While Working in
of Street Maintenance, Public Works Beginning as a Temporary Pipelayer Pollution, Sewer Stoppage
Division, City of Memphis. Spencer Spencer followed through, filing his For two years, Spencer pursued
exemplifies the qualities of public service, application with the City of Memphis, education as a foundation for additional
dedication to the industry of public and on January 7, 2003, he became a opportunities while working as a Pollution
works, and responsibility to enhance our temporary pipelayer in Environmental Control Aide. His hard work and
fellow public works professionals and the Maintenance in the Public Works dedication moved him into the position
communities we serve. Division. He worked as a pipelayer for of Sewer Stoppage Operator, where
Local Gas Station Conversation Led to a year and a half, and during that time he cleared both residential and sewer
Career decided he wanted to make a career with mainline sewer stoppages.
As Spencer tells the story, he began the City of Memphis. While I was chatting with him, it
his Public Works career on a regular day He quickly moved into his second became clear he was guided and motivated

26 TPW July/August 2022