Strengthen Your Agency’s Leadership Pipeline: Leadership Essentials for the Water Industry Program

Since 2015, forward-thinking JPIA member water agencies have taken part in the Leadership Essentials for the Water Industry Program to develop and strengthen their agency’s leadership pipeline with competent, people-focused senior leaders. Workplaces have experienced a dramatic change in recent years, which has required a dynamic response from the public sector to develop skills needed for leading agencies both now – and into the future.

In its seventh year, JPIA recently graduated its 150th participant from this popular leadership development program. JPIA continues to offer water agency general managers and other senior-level staff the year-long, robust education experience developing leadership skills and facilitating growth in three spectrums: self, team, and agency leadership. Participation requires four in-person sessions, complemented by monthly webinars and a hands-on group project completed throughout the year-long program. Cohorts are hosted in Roseville in Northern CA, and Costa Mesa in Southern CA. The program is facilitated by Clint Camac, President of Leadership Development Network (LDN).

Prior participants have shared accolades like:

  • “The JPIA program has helped me become a more focused leader in my organization…an invaluable experience.”
  • “The program has revolutionized my approach to leadership.”
  • “What I have found most valuable…is the direct applicability of the lessons and assignments to my current leadership position. The cohort is a great team comprised of dedicated professionals committed to each other’s success.”

The investment of $2,195 for JPIA members (discounted to $1,695 for Liability program members) includes 80+ hours of instruction, all materials, assessments, and meals throughout the one-year program. Priority registration is given to JPIA members. Non-members can also apply to attend, though at a higher cost ($2,625) and only if space is available.

Though value-rich, not all JPIA members can afford to send their leaders to such a program. With that in mind, new in 2023, the JPIA E.G. “Jerry” Gladbach Leadership Grant was approved by the JPIA Board of Directors to absorb the entire cost of the program and related travel for one participant in each northern and southern California annual cohort. The new grant aspires to support the kind of leader epitomized by its namesake, former JPIA Board President, E.G. “Jerry” Gladbach. Jerry demonstrated the value of service and exceptional leadership qualities throughout his 20+ year involvement as a JPIA Director from 2002-2022 and as JPIA Board President. The hope is that the grant program will enable even smaller member agencies with a less-robust agency budget to develop and further strengthen their bench of qualified, influential leaders in their agency and the risk-sharing pool of member agencies overall.

Applications for the Leadership Essentials for the Water Industry Program and E.G. “Jerry” Gladbach Leadership Program Grant are now open through June 15, 2023, for the programs beginning October and November 2023-2024. Space is limited to 16 seats in Roseville and Costa Mesa, respectively, so applicants should apply soon. Fillable application forms are available on the JPIA website, Training section found here.

Written by: Sarah Crawford, Training Manager