This week’s Industry Person of the Week is Edward P. Butts. Edward is a Registered Civil, Electrical, Environmental, and Control Systems Engineer Owner/Water and Wastewater Design Manager for 4B Engineering & Consulting, LLC.
Q: How did you get started working in your field?
Edward: I began in the pump business in 1974, working for my father in a water pump installation and service firm called Ace Pump Sales and Service. In 1976, after the firm closed, I went to work for Stettler Supply Company for 2 more years, then accepted a position with a well drilling and water systems firm in Anchorage Alaska. After only 6 months, my wife and I decided Alaska wasn’t the best place for us, so we moved back to Oregon. One thing I did learn there was how vital the municipal business was and I felt we could start this in Oregon. I worked my way up from engineer to owner at Stettler, then sold the business in 2004 and started my own consulting firm, 4B Engineering with my daughter, Brooke.
Q: What do you love the most about your job? What are you most proud of?
Edward: I enjoy the challenge of designing a water system to fulfill the client’s needs and expectations. Next to my family, I am most proud of the over 250 water systems I have designed or built during my career.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering this line of work or new to the field?
Edward: I would tell anyone thinking about entering the field that while this work may not be the most glamorous or highest paying profession, we fulfill an important role in life by providing safe, drinkable water to people. When you look at much of the rest of the world with nothing but unsafe water, how much more job satisfaction could there be?
Q: Can you talk about a project you recently worked on?
Edward: It’s very difficult to single out just one project from all of them, but one recent project that comes to mind is a water filtration system we built in 2015 for a nearby city. Before we implemented the filtration system, the water was virtually undrinkable and water sales were around 50% of what they should have been. After we began treatment, the water improved so much that it won the best tasting award in the state the following year and water sales doubled. This had to be one of my most satisfying projects.
Q: Anything Else you would like to add?
Edward: The only other thing I could add is that I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working with all of the people in this industry over my 47-year career and would recommend this work to anyone.
Connect with Edward on LinkedIn.
THANK YOU, EDWARD! WE LOOK FORWARD TO KEEPING UP WITH YOU THROUGH THE #PUMPTALK COMMUNITY!
KNOW AN AMAZING PERSON WHO IS MAKING VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS WITHIN INDUSTRY? NOMINATE THEM TO BE AN “INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE WEEK”!
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