As Jason stood there with wet feet, dust caked on his face, and the piercing sound of sirens reverberating through his earplugs, he was unaware that this seemingly ordinary situation would ultimately send him down a path to a fulfilling career the water and wastewater.
Jason graduated from Toledo High School in 1996 and returned to his hometown to commence a career in the paper industry in October 2002, driven by the desire to support his wife and son. He dedicated twelve years to operating a paper machine before seizing an opportunity to contribute to the development of a training program. Over the subsequent two years, he honed his skills in dissecting intricate mechanical systems, systematically dividing them into manageable categories, and facilitating meetings that effectively captured operator knowledge for translation into a computer-based asset-driven job training program.
Upon the conclusion of this project, Jason made the decision to continue providing either assistance or education to others. Consequently, he transitioned to the onsite laboratory, where he acquired expertise in industrial wastewater testing, process testing, and chemical handling and mixing. Despite his growing proficiency in these areas, Jason remained dissatisfied with his career path.
In 2021, Jason made a conscious decision to depart from the paper industry and embark on a new career in the water and wastewater sector. Over the ensuing three years, he operated a small single-well water system, supplying drinking water to Eddyville Charter School, where three of his four children were enrolled. Subsequently, he joined the City of Siletz, primarily responsible for operating the water plant, while also providing backup and weekend operations at the wastewater facility. Most recently, Jason secured employment with the City of Toledo, expanding his knowledge in water distribution and collections, then adding fleet maintenance to his knowledge base just before joining OAWU.
Jason has a strong desire for a close relationship with his family. All through his career, he struggled to find time outside of work to enjoy the things he grew up with, like hunting, camping, family trips, and holiday dinners. Camping in particular was so important that he and his wife Betsy included it in their vows when they were married in June of 1999. Jason really hopes that someday his four children and 3 grandchildren see that he chose his career path to participate in what he holds most dear, which is time spent with loved ones experiencing life, and all it has to offer.
Jason is very enthusiastic about seeking out a need and discovering the solution for it. He is grateful that OAWU provides the opportunity to do just that.