Page 8 - NovDec2023 Vol41 No5

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA By Klair Kimmey
PWX: Connecting the World

The Tennessee Chapter showed up low performance, and missed financial The trade show was again HUGE. For
in solid numbers at PWX San Diego, goals. She talked with humor and energy those interested in learning about new
with more than 50 members and about disruptive thought and culture equipment and technologies, this was
spouses (including 6 of Tennessee’s best transformation. the place to be.
equipment operators) attending the The third and final General Session Awards and Chapter Dinners
August 27-30 event on the West Coast. featured Neal Petersen. Neal has The annual Awards Ceremony was
Attendees took the opportunity to completed amazing journeys in his life, held Monday evening, where the
meet with, and learn best practices including racing alone nine months at Tennessee Chapter was again recognized
from, their Public Works counterparts sea in a single-handed yacht around the with the PACE Award. Representatives
in the U.S., Canada, and a few of other world for 27,000 miles, in the smallest/ walked onto the stage for a photo with
countries. Networking opportunities least-funded yacht that he designed and APWA Past President Keith Pugh and
made it clear that industry leaders are built himself. He shared his riveting life APWA CEO Scott Grayson.
facing similar issues, no matter there story about life lessons and philosophy, Tuesday evening was reserved for
they call home. and a powerful message that “in life Chapter dinners. Many thanks to Mark
General Sessions there are no barriers – only solutions!” Miller and others for coordinating the
The three General Sessions were Equipment Roadeo, Technical Sessions Tennessee Chapter gathering at Casa
packed with information. The Opening and Trade Show Guadalajara, where over 50 folks showed
General Session featured an inspirational The Equipment Roadeo featured two up for fabulous food, beverages, and
keynote address from Morris Morrison events again this year, backhoe and mini terrific company.
who is obsessed with building “Stronger, excavator. The tasks were all new to the PWX wrapped up on Wednesday with
Kinder, Focused” human beings. operators and to my eye, pretty much most folks heading home. Some stayed
Preceding the Keynote Session, APWA impossible. Alcoa was able to send five for a little sightseeing. The weather was
Past President Keith Pugh took the stage participants and Knoxville sent one. beautiful, so it was hard to pack up and
to make the official hand-off of duties to Tennessee was very well represented head home. Our chapter’s conference
new President, Gary Losier, who made a and had a good support system there to first-timers said they felt the events
Top Gun-themed entrance. cheer them on. and sessions provided very worthwhile
Jessica Kriegel, a certified Business Technical Sessions were plentiful and contacts and knowledge.
Impact ROI specialist, was the featured on every topic someone in the Public The next PWX will be in Atlanta.
speaker in the second General Session. Works field could have an interest in. With the close proximity, I hope that
Jessica applies data-driven insights to Some were even taught by Tennessee Tennessee shows up in force again in
dismantle the chaos of poor morale, Chapter members. 2024.

8 TPW November/December 2023