Underground Infrastructure - June 2023 - 35

REHABTECHNOLOGY
Kathy Romans
EDITOR'S NOTE
NASSCO continues to set standards for
the assessment and rehabilitation of
underground infrastructure. A vast array of
individuals has contributed to the success
of the association, both in the past and
present, that has driven NASSCO's industry
mission. This series of articles recognizes
those who have not only been critical to the
success of NASSCO, but the industry as well.
This month, we profi le Kathy Romans who
not only has been a tremendous force
within the rehabilitation industry, but an
eff ective leader for NASSCO. In additional
to her committee work and service on
the board of directors, Kathy was the
fi rst woman president of NASSCO.
While I was born in Frankfort, Germany,
when my dad was stationed in the military,
I have, and always will, consider myself a
native Texan. We returned to Texas when
I was three-years old and spent the rest of
my childhood and adult life in Houston
until just recently, when my husband Tim
and I moved to our retirement ranch in
West Central Texas. I also raised my son
and daughter in Texas, and they are both
still in the Houston area. I consider myself
blessed to have grown up, raised a family
and enjoyed a successful career in Texas.
I entered the underground infrastructure
industry by accident. With an educational
background in chemistry and
psychology, I started out as a recruiter
for chemists and lab technicians. I decided
to place myself in one of my client's
job openings and spent 15 years working
for companies that did environmental
remediation and laboratory studies. I
had the opportunity to work on superfund
sites, which are locations polluted
with hazardous materials.
Th at all changed in 1998 when David
Magill from Avanti saw my resume. As
the manufacturer of chemical grout used
in the rehabilitation of underground infrastructure,
David liked the background
I had in chemistry and environmental
issues and hired me to be the North
Central/Upper Midwest Area Regional
Manager for Avanti.
Just prior to my employment with
Avanti, there were questions by the EPA
regarding acrylamide grout. NASSCO
hired a legal team to address EPA concerns
and advocated for Avanti and other
suppliers. Because of my background in
environmental issues, I worked closely
with Avanti's legal counsel, helped
David update the Grouting Unifi ed Safe
Operating Practices Program and developed
a training course on the subject. I
did a run-through of the training program
with my customer Harold Kosova
from National Power Rodding. Harold
started working there in 1960 and we
oſt en joked that he was with National
Power Rodding longer than I was alive!
It is wonderful that NASSCO continues
to recognize and honor contributors
to our industry like Harold and
David. In 2022, NASSCO's Infi ltration
Control Grouting Committ ee (ICGC)
introduced the Harold Kosova Lifetime
Achievement Award, designed to recognize
individuals who have made signifi -
cant contributions to chemical grouting
in underground infrastructure rehabilitation.
Pete Fleetwood was the inaugural
recipient in 2022, and Marc Anctil
deservedly received the Award this year.
Th e ICGC also recently completed an
update to the USOPP and has developed
an eLearning course on NASSCO.org to
encourage individuals who handle chemical
grout to follow best safety practices.
Career path
I worked for Avanti for three years until a
colleague from the environmental industry
encouraged me to consider a job with
ADS Environmental. Th e travel involved
with my position at Avanti was extensive,
and my children were in their teenage
years, so I accepted the position which
had a smaller sales territory than I was covering
at Avanti. Serving as ADS' Regional
UndergroundInfrastructure.com | JUNE 2023 35
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Underground Infrastructure - June 2023

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