Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority

Cary Beth Lipscomb

Follow your dreams, regardless of the cultural dynamic.

Sage advice from Cary Beth Lipscomb, P.E., who serves as project administrator of facilities for Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority.

In this position, Lipscomb manages and oversees the construction of capital projects for the utility’s facilities and pump stations.

“This is key as LRWRA is constantly improving our infrastructure to eliminate overflows and reclaim and treat water to better serve and protect the health and wellness of our customers,” Lipscomb said.

Since earning her degree in civil engineering, she has worked with infrastructure and water treatment, using her interest in environmental concerns and protecting natural resources.

“I have always been interested in environmental processes and learning ways to maintain a more sustainable lifestyle,” she said. “I like knowing that what I do has an impact on the protection of earth’s most valuable resource: water.”

Lipscomb said working outside of her comfort zone was once a challenge.

“I’ve learned to accept change as well as other ways of thinking and performing tasks that differ from the way I think and perform tasks.”

This acceptance of different outlooks has also been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career thus far. She advices girls and women who are considering a career in engineering to follow their dreams and interests, to think outside the box.

“Do what you want to do — regardless of the cultural dynamic. Don’t be afraid to stand out.”

Tracy Kerr

Never allow the nature of a job discourage you …

As a lead operator at Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority, Tracy Kerr has proven the naysayers wrong.

She works hands-on, using microbiology to treat and purify our city’s used water prior to its release into the environment. Her responsibilities include running the plant and overseeing the work of other operators. For her team, and other LRWRA operations teams, it’s a 24-hour, 7-days-per-week, 365-day job.

“Our facility is always manned. There are no inclement weather days. That’s how important LRWRA is to our state,” Kerr said. “And for multiple reasons: we protect the environment. The water we process is released into the Arkansas River. This affects our aquatic life, and many people enjoy fishing for sport and as part of their meals. The river also provides drinking water for parts of the state. What we do matters — it’s a matter of public health and safety.”

“The water we release is actually cleaner than the water that’s currently there,” she said, with pride.

Kerr’s background is actually in accounting. She worked at Central Arkansas Water, and when one of her mentors left to work at LRWRA, she jumped at the chance to work with him again. Soon afterward, she participated in an operations challenge team; she found the work intriguing.

“I love to learn. This industry is always changing and evolving. There’s always something new and interesting. There are not a lot of women in this job. So, my interest in being an operator caught everyone off guard. It’s a very physical job that includes working in the elements, in hazardous conditions and with a lot of chemicals. Frankly, it can be dangerous,” Kerr said.

She’s overcome several hurdles and said a lot of people doubted she was capable of handling the physicality of the job.

“I had to prove myself to the naysayers, that this is something I am capable of doing and doing well. I work very hard, and I’ve been put into a lead position fairly quickly due to my diligence and hard work.”

One of the most surprising things about her job: she’s found she loves bugs. “I love microbiology — it’s fascinating. And I enjoy any opportunity I get to share what I do, what I know and what I experience [in this job]. I never thought I’d say, ‘I love bugs’ or that I’d think they’re cool,” she said, laughing.

Kerr counts among her mentors her parents, who encouraged her by telling her she could do anything she set her mind to. She said her father also instilled in her a great work ethic. Her supervisors Eric Wassell and Walter Collins have both inspired her.

“They’re both very intelligent and so passionate about what we do — they made me excited to learn. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and they’re willing to share it,” Kerr said.

She advises women to look beyond others’ expectations.

“Never let the nature of a job discourage you from taking chances. This job is incredibly rewarding, intellectually and professional. It’s more than just water — we’re impacting our constituents and the environment.”

Jean Block

A Winding Road

Success may be a straight path or a winding road. This has been the experience of attorney Jean Block.

As chief legal officer for Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority, Block ensures that the utility’s business operations are performed legally and ethically.

“I give advice and counsel to LRWRA management, staff, and commissioners on a wide range of issues. I also work on contracts, easements, litigation, Freedom of Information Act requests, and policy issues including handling legislative matters,” she said. “Additionally, I continually assess risk to the utility and identify strategies to address those risks. Both of these things are paramount to the continued success of LRWRA and to retaining the trust of the citizens and business leaders of Little Rock.”

While one could assume that practicing law is one-dimensional, her experience has been anything but. Block’s decision to attend law school came just as she’d earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkley.

“As I was finishing at Berkley, a family friend suggested I get a law degree because it offers versatility,” she said. “And that resonated with me. Thus far, I’ve been a public defender for an Indian tribe, practiced bankruptcy law, worked with an attorney general and served as in-house council.”

Block’s move to Little Rock in 2002 was, she said, her biggest professional hurdle.

“I didn’t go to law school in Arkansas so I had no professional connections, and apart from my husband, I didn’t know a soul. Fortunately, I landed a job at a Little Rock law firm shortly after I passed the bar, and in the 17 years since, I’ve worked hard and had one incredible professional opportunity after another.”

As a member of LRWRA’s senior management team, Block has been afforded the opportunity to directly influence substantive issues that pertain to the utility and its employees.

“I work for a visionary CEO, and as a woman, and as a person of color, I bring a unique perspective to the table. As one of a few women in Arkansas serving in upper management in a water or wastewater utility, I recognize that I am in a unique position, and I take that seriously,” she added.

Her role models are trailblazers, women who are affecting change for current and future generations. “I admire women who are strong, principled, and accomplished in their fields. This includes Sen. Kamala Harris, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and movie director Ava DuVernay.

Block offers the following advice for girls and women who are interested in law.

“First, be prepared to work hard. Secondly, know that a legal career may be a straight path — one practice area over an entire career — or a winding journey — multiple practice areas over the course of a career — and either is okay. Lastly, know that ‘success’ as a lawyer does not look one particular way.”

Rebecca Burkman

“There’s always something you can work toward.”

Great advice from Rebecca Burkman who works as a laboratory technician at Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority.

Burkman earned her degree in science in biological sciences from Arkansas State University and will soon obtain a second master’s degree. She was drawn to her field because she enjoys lab work.

“I worked in a lab during college, and as a result, I decided I wanted to work in a lab in the environmental field,” she said.

As a lab tech, Burkman ensures LRWRA’s treatment process runs correctly and adheres to regulatory guidelines. “Arkansas is 'The Natural State,' so it’s important that we maintain our natural environment. What we put into the Arkansas River must be of the utmost quality.”

Burkman enjoys working in a hands-on environment and especially likes the challenge of analytical reasoning that is involved. She realized this while working with Dr. Jennifer Bouldin at Ecotoxicology Research Facility at Arkansas State. She said Dr. Bouldin is one of the reasons she loves lab work so much.

If giving advice to women or girls interested in the sciences, Burkman suggests, “Work hard and do your best in your current position, and never hesitate to further your education, whether it’s online or through additional certification. There’s always something you can work toward.”

Sherree Bynum

“Don’t be afraid to take a seat at the table…”

This is advice Sherree Bynum gives women. Bynum is the safety coordinator for Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority. She joined the utility about 6 months ago after serving with Tyson Foods.

In this role, she manages all LRWRA’s safety training and is responsible for making sure the individuals who work in the field do their jobs safely and correctly and that they have the proper equipment, so they are not in harm’s way.

“I also assist locations with their safety audits and look for ways to improve. I oversee our 20-member safety committee, which meets monthly to discuss any concerns and to get feedback from LRWRA employees. I also investigate —along with our investigation team — any incidents and accidents that may occur,” Bynum said.

She added that LRWRA’s leadership champions safety. “It’s a priority. We work to ensure that safety is and further becomes a part of our everyday culture.”

This is one of the most important aspects of her job. “Open lines of communication among team members on all levels is key. It’s important to bridge the gap, that we set an atmosphere of trust so team members are not afraid to speak up and hold each other accountable.”

Bynum earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UAF) and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Webster University. She became interested in the field of safety during an internship at Tyson Foods while studying at UAF.

“This isn’t a career you hear advertised a lot, but it’s an important job. Without it, someone’s spouse or parent may not make it home,” she said.

As you may imagine, Bynum’s field is male dominated, and she’s proud to have earned the respect of her colleagues. One of the most positive aspects of her job is being able to meet people from all walks of life, to have an impact on others and to build lifelong relationships.

She counts among her mentors her mother, who for 46 years was an educator. “She worked each day, making a difference in the lives of her students. We’ve run into several of them, and they’ve thanked her for holding them to a standard of excellence.”

She also admires Rosalind Brewer, chief operating officer and group president of Starbucks.

“It’s incredible to see her excel in corporate America, to see someone like myself who has made it that far, breaking barriers. She’s also on the board of Amazon — that’s incredible,” she said. Diversity, she added, is important at LRWRA as well. “Our leadership is probably the most diverse team I’ve seen. It’s a good feeling to be a part of a company that values diversity.”

Bynum also advises young women to speak up and ask questions.

“Do research, and learn as much as you can. Find a mentor. Also, do internships — they allow you to explore fields. Lastly, work at what you love. When you do what you love, it’s not work. It becomes a passion."