Ron Hatt – 23 Years, Zero Shortcuts

From printing magazines to becoming one of the most knowledgeable automatic control valve specialists in the waterworks industry, Jim Lugo's career has been anything but ordinary.In this episode of Utility Room Legends, host Jon Davis sits down with Jim Lugo, Western Region Business Development Manager at Watts Water Technologies, to talk about his unexpected journey into the industry, the legendary mentors who shaped his career, and the lessons learned from decades of troubleshooting valves in the field.They dive into the importance of hands-on training, understanding the entire water system rather than just one component, and why building relationships and providing exceptional customer service are still the foundation of this business. Jim also shares his thoughts on passing industry knowledge to the next generation, some memorable field experiences, and his passion for music outside the waterworks world.Jim may claim he's just made a lot of "lucky guesses" over the years, but his experience, passion, and willingness to share what he's learned tell a different story.Whether you're an engineer, operator, contractor, or fellow waterworks professional, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!🎙️ Subscribe to Utility Room Legends for more conversations with the people who keep our water infrastructure running.🌐 Visit us at www.utilityroomlegends.com#UtilityRoomLegends #Waterworks #WattsWaterTechnologies #ControlValves #WaterInfrastructure #IndustryLegends

Communication is one of the most overlooked skills in the water and wastewater industry—and according to Ron Smith, it's the foundation of great leadership.In this episode of Utility Room Legends, John sits down with Ron Smith, Vice President of Distribution & Networks at Vortex Companies, to discuss leadership, innovation, trenchless technology, and the future of America's aging infrastructure. From building stronger teams to solving complex challenges through communication and education, this conversation offers valuable insights for anyone working in the industry.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and join us for more conversations with the people shaping the future of water and wastewater.

Antonio Flori, Corrosion Engineering Manager at Denver Water, joins Utility Room Legends for a fascinating conversation on the hidden side of water infrastructure.From starting as a teenage intern to leading corrosion strategy for one of the nation’s most respected utilities, Antonio shares his journey through the industry and what it takes to keep critical systems reliable for generations.We discuss aging infrastructure, water loss, corrosion prevention, material selection, rapid population growth, drought pressures, data center demand, and why long-term planning matters now more than ever.If you’ve ever turned on a faucet without thinking twice, this episode is about the people making sure that water is there when you need it.

In this episode, we sit down with Dave Donahue, Waterworks Market Manager at Fernco, to talk about the evolution of one of the most recognized names in the industry—and why it still matters today.Dave walks us through the history of Fernco, from its beginnings with a master plumber hand-making “donuts” in Detroit to becoming a global leader in flexible couplings. We get into what sets great manufacturers apart, why solving real problems in the field is everything, and how innovation actually happens in this industry.We also dive into Dave’s own journey—from construction to marketing to sales—and how he built momentum during COVID by thinking differently and meeting customers where they were.One of the most impactful parts of the conversation highlights Fernco’s “Sparks Program,” an initiative creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum—proof that great companies don’t just build products, they build people.This episode is about more than couplings. It’s about culture, innovation, and the responsibility we all have to keep pushing the industry forward. 

From junior college baseball to scratch golf pro to 20 years in the waterworks trenches, Traver Hunter’s path into the industry is anything but ordinary.Based in Lewistown, Montana — “the snow hole,” as locals call it — Traver covers a territory where everything is two and a half hours away and cell service is optional. He shares how persistence (not polish) landed him his first big opportunity, what makes rural markets unique, and why relationships still carry weight in Big Sky Country.We talk growth in Bozeman, shipping realities in wide-open states, crawling 36-inch pipe under 20 feet of soil, and why you don’t come in hot to Montana.It’s a conversation about loyalty, change, infrastructure, and the kind of handshake culture that still exists — if you know how to navigate it.

We finally get the ever-steady Adam "Newman" into the Legends Chair. Starting as a 20-year-old part-time driver at RepMasters, he grinded through warehouse chaos—unloading brittle pipe in dirt yards and snow—to become the rock-solid voice on the other end of the phone for over two decades. Newman opens up (in his trademark low-key way) about company growth from Commerce City days to COVID madness, handling every kind of customer call, learning boilers on the fly, and why consistency beats flash every time. Family life, air fryer hacks, golf mishaps, and a few core memories (including one infamous chili incident) round out the conversation. If you've ever called RepMasters stressed and gotten that calm, "I've got this" response—this is the man behind it. Reserved, reliable, and a true legend.

Before GPS. Before AI. Before “just Google it.”Ron Hatt talks about learning this business by doing the work, making mistakes, and sticking around long enough to get it right. This one is full of road stories, hard lessons, and the stuff you don’t learn from training manuals. 

Few people have seen the water industry from as many angles as Josh Baile. Through decades of experience in operations, management, and consulting, Josh has seen what separates good teams from great ones. He shares candid insights about leadership, accountability, and how investing in people builds stronger communities — inside and outside the plant.

At just 28, Bralan Spencer represents the new wave of water infrastructure professionals — driven, grounded, and eager to learn. Growing up around the industry gave him perspective, but earning his place has been all about effort and integrity. In this episode, Bralan shares what it’s like learning from veterans like Brock Spencer and Ron Hatt, building his career at RepMasters, and finding purpose in an industry that keeps communities running.

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman joins the Utility Room Legends Podcast for a conversation on leadership, growth, and service. From innovative water programs to a bold new approach to homelessness, Mayor Coffman shares how Aurora is setting an example for cities across the country.