Underground Construction - September 2020 - 36

NASSCO Standard Bearers: Kay Doheny
perspectives from outside talent, we hired Steve Shafer to
assume the role of president and I took over as CEO.
I honestly thought my dad would always be here. He loved
his work and he loved this industry, having also been named
a NASSCO Standard Bearer. In fact, if he hadn't succumbed
to Parkinson's Disease, I believe he would still be working
today. Our team works hard carrying on the fundamentals
and high standards my dad established. And in that way,
my dad is still here with us.

" ... while NASSCO is still primarily a contractor
organization, it has also opened its doors to
include public agencies, consulting engineers
and vendors to provide a well-balanced mix of
industry specialties and interests that mirror the
underground infrastructure world as a whole. The
benefit of having this diverse membership base is
that all specifications, technical resources, and other
educational and advocacy initiatives are represented
by experts from every segment, delivering excellent
support to members and our entire industry."

I & I SOLUTIONS

FLEX SEAL UTILITY SEALANT® 

An aroma�c urethane noted for extreme
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AQUA SEAL® 

IINFI‐SHIELD® UNI‐BAND 

An inexpensive and permanent
method of externally sealing the
grade adjustment ring area of a
manhole or catch basin.

GATOR WRAP® 

A dual component
Forms a con�nuous rubber
hydrophobic polyure‐
seal on a manhole joint
thane water stop system
which prevents water
designed to stop high
and soil from in�ltra�ng
in�ltra�on in precast or through the manhole, catch
brick lined structures.
basin or concrete pipe joint.

MANHOLE INSERT 
Stop the unwanted
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36

SEPTEMBER 2020 | UCONonline.com

Over the years I saw first-hand how industry standards were
not being followed - or, in some cases, were non-existent - and
how cities and other system owners were not benefiting from
preventive maintenance. I wanted to do everything I could to
help set those standards and build awareness of the need to
properly inspect critical infrastructure, so I turned to NASSCO
and its mission. While my dad had been involved in NASSCO
for many years, I did not jump in feet first until 2010, when I
attended the Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale.
Soon after joining I was nominated to the Board of Directors
and worked my way up to become president of NASSCO from
2016-2017, as it entered its 40th year. I was honored to follow
in the footsteps of NASSCO's first female president, Kathy
Romans (2011-2012) and Joan Stone (2013-2014), indicative
of how NASSCO has evolved into an organization that is
much more inclusive.
Speaking of inclusivity, while NASSCO is still primarily a
contractor organization, it has also opened its doors to include
public agencies, consulting engineers and vendors to provide a
well-balanced mix of industry specialties and interests that mirror
the underground infrastructure world as a whole. The benefit of
having this diverse membership base is that all specifications,
technical resources, and other educational and advocacy
initiatives are represented by experts from every segment,
delivering excellent support to members and our entire industry.
In addition to the organization becoming more inclusive,
I have seen NASSCO do a great job of building awareness
through clear messaging surrounding its mission and benefits
to members. I have also witnessed the various NASSCO
Committees becoming better organized to reach their goals
through active involvement and productivity, which has
reached unbelievably high levels.
NASSCO Committees have also expanded to stay current
with industry trends to represent all segments. The three new
committees that come to mind are Government Relations,
Health and Safety, and Workforce Development. While not
purely technical in nature, these three areas are critical to
funding underground infrastructure, keeping our workers
and communities safe, and ensuring we can fill the skilled
trade gap through education, respectively.
The former is so important to me, in fact, that I have
volunteered to serve as co-chair this year on NASSCO's Workforce
Development Committee. Working as a national partner
with SkillsUSA, this important Committee is busy developing
curriculum for trenchless rehabilitation technicians.
As I look to the future of NASSCO, my hope is that, together,
we continue on the path of inclusiveness and recognition of
all aspects of our industry, because everyone identifies with
different areas of importance. For me, it is safety and workforce
development. For you, it may be something else, but with
12 highly active NASSCO Committees there is something
for everyone. The higher our levels of involvement, the more
we can make a true and lasting impact on the future of
underground infrastructure and set standards for assessment,
maintenance and rehabilitation. *
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Underground Construction - September 2020

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