By Cassie McClure
Carl Clark, Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Deputy Director Environmental & Technical Support, has been selected as one of the 17 fellows in the yearlong 2021 Water Innovation Leadership Development (WILD) Program developed by Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.
The WILD Program is a leadership curriculum for rising leaders at water utilities across the U.S. The inaugural 2021 cohort of Program Fellows has been selected throughout the U.S. and encompasses a range from large to very small utilities. The leadership program is designed to further leadership capacity, grow networks, and empower fellows to embrace new practices and implement innovative, equitable solutions to water infrastructure challenges.
“Mr. Clark is experienced, innovative, collaborative, and has a passion for growing his own skills and those of his team members,” said Delilah Walsh, LCU director, who also credited City Councilor Gill Sorg for sharing the program information. “His selection is not only the benefit for his professional growth but will allow him to bring back new ideas that we can use.”
Clark’s capstone project will focus on a solution that could be adapted to future sustainable energy practices in Las Cruces. Clark wants to look at existing City wells and booster station pumping, to maximize solar energy in water production, reservoir storage, and minimize energy produced by fossil fuels.
“Bringing my ideas to be vetted by others at the forefront of the industry, and who are in academic areas of water utilities, can allow us to test out those ideas, and that could save our customers money – and allow us to switch to renewable energy in the future more easily,” Clark said.
Las Cruces Utilities Customer Central can be reached at 575/541-2111 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. LCU provides services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.
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Carl Clark, LCU Deputy Director Environmental & Technical Support, has been selected as one of the 17 fellows for Duke University’s 2021 Water Innovation Leadership Development Program.
Note: This story was recently published in the Las Cruces Bulletin.