Thomas R. Marinelli
Summary
Utilize the past eighteen years of my water utilities professional development and through a General Manager role, guide organizational improvement, strengthen partnerships, empower employees, provide compassionate leadership, and deliver sustainable, community-focused and environmentally conscious water services.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Utilities Director
City of Palm Bay
Palm Bay, FL
07.2023 - Current
- Provide executive leadership for Field Operations, Plant Operations, Business Operations and Compliance divisions, overseeing daily operations and Departmental performance
- Provide leadership and insight for planning and managing the Department's $17M operating budget
- Oversee staff actively working to ensure the Department's regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local water quality and wastewater treatment laws, policies, and permits
- Prepare and delivers executive-level reports and presentations for regulatory agencies, City leadership, and stakeholders
- Manage personnel and workforce operations, including hiring, performance evaluations, and employee relations
- Assist with the preparation and review of the Department's Capital Improvement Program and assigned budgets to ensure consistency with City and Departmental objectives
- Lead strategic planning and collaboration efforts
- Assist in the development and review departmental items for City Council agendas
- Negotiate and support agreements and contracts to advance operational and strategic goals
- Direct investigations and public responses related to plant operations, compliance issues, and Departmental concerns
- Serve as Acting Utilities Director in the Director’s absence, maintaining continuity of leadership and operations
Assistant Director of Operations & Maintenance
Pasco County
Land O' Lakes, FL
04.2022 - 07.2023
- Provided effective and collaborative departmental leadership to ensure that all water, wastewater, and reclaimed water facilities were efficiently operated, repaired, and maintained
- Provided direct collaboration and insight when planning and managing the County's $100M operating budget
- Provided leadership to the department’s 394 employees and ensuring the Board of County Commissioners’ Strategic Goals were met or exceeded
- Restructured and managed the recruitment and hiring process of personnel for the Department
- Coordinated the development of effective programs for enhancing the internal morale and public image of the department
- Assisted with compliance of all Federal and State standards, permit conditions, rules and regulations
- Provided leadership to personnel in preparing items for the Board approval process, including reviewing documents, plans, and technical specifications
- Ensured that customer complaints and inquiries were resolved quickly and effectively
- Represented the Department at public meetings
- Developed and updated effective standard operating procedures
Utilities Operations Manager
City Of New Port Richey
New Port Richey, FL
05.2021 - 04.2022
- Managed the operations of the City’s water distribution and sewer collection divisions
- Directed field studies to support administrative needs for operational and capital projects
- Collaborated with outside departments for planning and accomplishing project goals
- Reviewed utility plans throughout the design phases
- Supported division supervisors and staff investigate and resolve customer inquiries
- Managed the time and attendance of supervisors and staff
- Ensured City’s policies, standards, and specifications were being practiced
- Prepared project estimates, and various reports
- Requested and reviewed bids from contractors for project work
- Interviewed, hired, and or terminated employees
- Conducted performance reviews
Water Quality Coordinator
City of Titusville
Titusville, FL
07.2020 - 05.2021
- Restructured the Department's Water Quality program to improve its effectiveness in the Distribution system and significantly reduce flushing efforts and water loss
- Prepared and presented weekly operational status reports to the Director of Water Resources and executive management
- Supervised staffed engaged in water quality activities
- Developed and ensured proper implementation of department programs
- Coordinated with multiple departments for activities involving flushing and sampling
- Conducted field studies to support administrative needs for planning and construction projects
- Investigated and researched new technologies that would improve program effectiveness
- Investigated and resolved customer inquiries
Utility & Maintenance Specialist/System Operator
San Dieguito Water District
Encinitas, CA
01.2018 - 07.2020
- Monitoring water distribution system to ensure proper flows, pressure, storage levels, and water quality
- Supervised and trained new employees and interns
- Conducting field studies to support administrative needs for planning and construction projects
- Collaboration between public works departments to achieve City project goals
- Utilizing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for operational changes and data collection
- Regular and preventative maintenance on pressure regulating, pressure relief, and air release/vacuum valves
- First responder in emergency situations; asset repairs, assist public, traffic safety, mobile generator hauling, etc.
- Skilled operation of heavy equipment: excavator, front-end loader, backhoe, & forklift.
- Annual administration of respirator fit tests to employees; maintaining related employee safety records
- Investigating and resolving customer inquiries
- Adhering to OSHA regulations and EPA NPDES permit
- Performing confined space entry procedures
Water System Operator
City of Bend
Bend, OR
08.2016 - 11.2017
- Operational decision making for up to 26 MGD water system
- Generated reports for State contact time and turbidity requirements
- Inspected and maintained well-houses and pump stations
- Calculated daily-use feed rates to ensure accurate dosage of chlorine into water distribution system
- Used SCADA to fill reservoirs, maintain pressure, and dose chemicals
- Operated micro-filtration plant (11.8 MGD)
- Reported and analyzed trend charts to predict future adjustments and maintain analytical equipment (i.e., Cl2 residual, UVT, NTU, and pH meters/analyzers)
- Hosted treatment plant tours for public and educational groups
Water Utilities Operator
Black Butte Ranch Corporation
Sisters, OR
09.2013 - 08.2016
- Excelled in collaboration and critical thinking skills related to public works projects
- Coordinated with power company and contractors for project work
- Inspection and maintenance of water distribution well-pumps, reservoir levels, and sewer lift-stations
- Operated activated sludge wastewater treatment plant
- Discharged wastewater effluent and solids in accordance with permits
- Excavated and installed pressure-septic tanks and connected them to sewer main
- Maintained accurate records of equipment maintenance, well-logs, and pump run times
- Hauled mobile generators to lift stations in sequence during power outages
- Tested backflow devices
- Planned water shutdowns for valve and hydrant replacements
- Referred to as-built maps for pipe locations for excavation
- Skilled reading and installation of water meters and registers
- Installed water main isolation valves and fire hydrants
- Used GIS to plot water and sewer data
- Dependable first responder for emergency situations
Department Manager
Metal Etch Services
San Marcos, CA
08.2008 - 08.2012
- Managed department involving $1M+ annual goods production
- Supervised/trained employees in the production of film screens for precise circuitry development
- Managed industrial waste according to local wastewater permits
Fire Engine Operator
U.S. Forest Service
CA
05.2003 - 10.2007
- IQCS Incident Commander Type V
- Responded to and suppressed wildfires and vehicle fires
- First responder to traffic collisions and assisted with medical transport
- Recorded and submitted Time and Attendance documentation for Fire staff to Payroll
- Conducted safety briefings and maintained safety logs for staff; inspected and donned Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
- Operated fire egine for fire suppression operations
- Responsible for pressure testing fire hoses and operation of fire hydrants
- Preventative maintenance checks on equipment used to extinguish fire
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration (emphasis in Public Admin)
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NHAssociate of Arts - Water Technology
Palomar College
San Marcos, CAAssociate of Arts - Wastewater Technology
Palomar College
San Marcos, CAAssociate of Science - Science And Mathematics
Palomar College
San Marcos, CAAccomplishments
- Fundamental understanding of water utilities operations derived from hands-on experience combined with industry specific licenses and degrees
- Strong understanding of budgeting processes, Departmental financial management, the implications of over budgeting, and developing a $100M annual O&M budget
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills, including management of 394 employees at the County level and 198 employees at the City level
- Proven track record of strengthening internal and external relationships to accomplish a multitude of goals and objectives (see Project Showcase)
- Licenses held: Water Distribution Operator, Water Treatment Operator, Wastewater Collection Operator, Wastewater Treatment Operator, Backflow Assembly Tester
Timeline
Assistant Utilities Director
City of Palm Bay
07.2023 - Current
Assistant Director of Operations & Maintenance
Pasco County
04.2022 - 07.2023
Utilities Operations Manager
City Of New Port Richey
05.2021 - 04.2022
Water Quality Coordinator
City of Titusville
07.2020 - 05.2021
Utility & Maintenance Specialist/System Operator
San Dieguito Water District
01.2018 - 07.2020
Water System Operator
City of Bend
08.2016 - 11.2017
Water Utilities Operator
Black Butte Ranch Corporation
09.2013 - 08.2016
Department Manager
Metal Etch Services
08.2008 - 08.2012
Fire Engine Operator
U.S. Forest Service
05.2003 - 10.2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration (emphasis in Public Admin)
Southern New Hampshire University
Associate of Arts - Water Technology
Palomar College
Associate of Arts - Wastewater Technology
Palomar College
Associate of Science - Science And Mathematics
Palomar College