The video above – “Pump’s Down” The Official Poop Pump Song – is a parody of Jay Sean’s “Down”. Produced by Pump Solutions, Inc., the video had the Empowering Pumps’ team cracking up! This is why we just had to feature Charles Norman, Branch Manager at Pump Solutions, Inc. in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, to be our Pump Person of the Week!
Q. What inspired you to get into the industry? How did you get started working in the pump industry?
Charles: After graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in Industrial Distribution, I was offered a job with a large distributor selling pumps & equipment in the oil and gas industry. This was in May of 2008….and the market crashed just a few months later. Nobody wanted to buy any pumps! After about a year long roller coaster ride, a friend from college recommended me to his boss for the position to expand and open their company’s North Texas Branch. This felt like an exciting challenge and gave me the opportunity to work in a completely different market – water & wastewater! I didn’t know much about the water & wastewater market before this, but it has been great and I haven’t looked back since!
Q. What is your favorite part of your job? What are you most proud of? What do you love about working in the pump industry?
Charles: I enjoy working with all different types of people and customers. In our industry, there are 3 different types of customers – engineers, municipalities, and contractors. While they each involve a distinct level of service, they all play an imperative role in our success. I am most proud of the relationships I’ve built, the people we’ve helped, and the clogs we’ve stopped!
Q. What advice would you give to someone new to the industry?
Charles: My advice would be to work hard, learn quickly, take risks, and try to always maintain a positive attitude.
Q. What are the top 5 questions you get asked by your customers? How do you answer them?
Charles: Is this covered under warranty? Can you lower your price? Can you deliver that pump tomorrow? Haha…ok, I’m just kidding…mostly. ;D
Q. Can you tell us about any projects you are working on?
Charles: I could, but a competitor might read this, haha! Seriously though, there are hundreds of projects going on at all times and it can be hard to keep up. One project that just recently came to fruition (after 7 years of design work) is for a very large drainage tunnel relief project in North Texas. It will include several very large KSB Submersible Pumps that are rated for 535HP, 4160V and installed in a wet well almost 200 ft. deep! And while we do work hard over here at PSI, we have some fun too. We are currently working on a sequel to our Pump’s Down Music Video, which debuted in 2013 and won an award at Texas Water in 2014!
Charles, on behalf of the entire Empowering Pumps’ team, thank you for your contributions to the water and wastewater industry! We are so glad you make pumps FUN!! We look forward to seeing the next video! Use the hashtag #PumpTalk to keep a look out!
Know an Amazing Person who is making valuable contributions within the Pump Industry? Nominate them to be “Pump Person of the Week”!
Comments