Empowering Pumps is always talking about getting more young people involved in the Pump Industry, so we are excited to shine a light on an incredible new talent that has recently become involved in the water sector. Artun Ereren shares his inspiration for getting involved in the pumping industry and what he loves about his career in the water sector.

Q: How did you get started in the pump industry?

My current job at Western Hydro (a wholesale supplier of ground water drilling and pumping equipment) is my first job in the pump industry; however, I trace my beginnings in the water industry back to my inspiration from my grandfather, Selahattin Ereren. He was the mayor of Samsun, a city in Turkey, and there he helped to build a municipal drinking water treatment plant which is still operational today. There is actually a renewable energy project involving the Selahattin Ereren Drinking Water Treatment Facility (which you can read about here: http://bsbeep.com/2014/05/samsun-metropolitan-municipality-smm-has-been-applied-to-the-renewable-energy-funding-program/.)

My dad came here first in the 70’s, so I’m first generation Turkish-American. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in History form Cal State Fullerton and Associates Degrees in Water Treatment and Water Distribution. During my undergraduate research, water was always a theme for me; from the role of the Panama Canal, to run off from the Caucasus Mountains, I noticed the trend that water was always somehow relevant to most events in history! After college, I wanted to supplement my historical knowledge of water to learn the actual science and application of water treatment and distribution through the Water utility science program at Santiago Canyon College.

Q:  What is your favorite part of your job? What do you love about it?

It’s hard to pinpoint one favorite part of the job really. Working for a wholesaler, you encounter many different scenarios. Whether the customer has to move water, wastewater, or chemicals, the challenge of finding the right pump for a given application is gratifying. Since Western Hydro is the “middleman” between the vendors and end user, I like knowing that we are directly or indirectly involved with some of the most progressive water distribution systems and projects in the western United States.

Q: What advice would you give to a young/new person entering the industry?

To a young or new person in the industry, my advice would be to always keep an open mind and be willing to learn. In my experience, I’ve encountered situations where equal parts of technical and mechanical knowledge were necessary for the task at hand, and it is important to see the value in both!

Thank you, Artun, for sharing your inspiration and passion with the industry! Keep us posted on all your amazing future projects!

UDPATE: Artun shared a very moving post on Instagram that we wanted to share with the #PumpTalk Community.

Know an Amazing Person who is making valuable contributions within the Pump Industry? Nominate them to be “Pump Person of the Week”!