2019 Fall Newsletter

SUPPLIER PROFILE
Alain Lalonde, P.Eng.
Echologics Regional Manager for Canada with Mueller Water Products
What lead you into your current field?
Ever since childhood, I have been
fascinated with water and the power it
harnesses. After obtaining my B.A.Sc.
in Civil Engineering at Ottawa
University, a career in Municipal Water
Infrastructure was pretty much a
given. I have been linked to the water
& wastewater industry for over 26-
years now and have been with Mueller
for the past 4 years.
Tell us about some of the experiences
you have had in your current role.
In dealing with business development
& sales, you learn about the issues that
water utility managers face on a daily
basis. The most apparent is the gap
between the need for water
infrastructure renewal and lack of
available funding & budgets to finance
this need. Bringing forward solutions
to help utilities prioritize their
spending to the right assets and
prolong the useful life of the existing
infrastructure is quite gratifying.
What advice would you give someone
looking to get into the industry?
Be passionate in all that you do and do
things for the better of the industry
and not just for your own personal
gain. Participating in industry
associations and giving back to the
industry is often more rewarding then
the paycheck you receive! I have met
so many passionate and generous
people in this industry and through
this I have grown and learned so much!
What is something that you have
learned that has helped you become
the person you are today?
Being a team player and sharing your
knowledge will bring back greater
rewards in the end and ensure that
your career is fulfilling.
Who would you say were the key
influencers and influences in your life
so far?
I have so many to name but a few key
persons include Julian Thornton, Bill
Gauley and Allan Lambert – they are
international authorities in Non-
Revenue Water & Water Conservation
management. Without them, my
passion towards water loss
management would not be as
grandiose as it is now!
How do you keep a work/life balance?
In today’s continuously connected
environment, this can be difficult. One
key thing is time management and not
letting the small things sweat you. I
often think of myself as having a
strong “on/off” switch for work and
when you set time for life and family
where the switch needs to be off – be
sure it stays off!! But when you need to
be “on” – be “on” with 110% effort!
What are your hopes for the future?
To have contributed to the water
industry as much as it has serve me.
And to hopefully continue to serve the
industry in a volunteer capacity well
pass my retirement!
What would you say has been one of
the best moments of your
professional life to date?
The success I had in creating, building
and managing a successful consulting
/ contracting business for 18 years with
my business partners. Providing
employment and mentoring young
engineers and technicians – seeing
them flourish and be passionate while
serving loyally has been the highlight
thus far. And I say thus far as my career
is not yet done!!!
How do you make a difference in
your role, what are your strengths?
What do you think is the most
valuable asset a person can have?
And excuse my repetitive rhetoric,
but being a team player and giving
back to the industry while mentoring
new professionals is likely one of my
key strengths and passion.
As for a most
valuable asset,
being honest
with yourself
and others –
with honesty
comes trust!
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