Meet Steve Meifert, Project Manager
Steve recently joined Energenecs as a Project Manager this fall, we asked him a few questions about his experience in the water and wastewater industry.
Where did you work prior to joining Energenecs?
I worked for Sheboygan Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility for 20 years and prior to that, in their Public Works Department.
The Sheboygan facility is capable of treating an average of 18.4 million gallons per day with a peak design capacity of 58.6 million gallons per day. They have five very large remote wastewater pumping stations throughout the city monitored remotely with a SCADA system.
I was the Process Systems and Operations Coordinator, which basically is responsible for controls, SCADA, IT, operational integration and programming. The plant has a small staff and is very heavily automated. The professional project manager position at Energenecs presented me with a new and interesting challenge.
How did you get into the wastewater industry?
When I was in the Public Works Department, I had an opportunity to go into wastewater and thought it was a good opportunity to learn and grow. I did electronics and computer work on the side for years, so it was a good fit that worked out well. I worked with an electrician to build panels together. He would do the wiring and I would do the programming, design and the drawings. I have quite a bit of experience with most of the products that Energenecs is using, such as SCADA system software, PLCs. motor controller centers and VFDs.
What type of projects are you managing right now?
It’s primarily a mix of designing water and wastewater controls systems or retrofits. Right now I am working on water and wastewater controls projects. Pretty standard stuff. I work mainly with Brian Akason in Technical Sales and Brad Mentink, the Operations Manager for Energenecs. It’s a little bit different for me because I don’t have to do my own CAD any more because Energenecs has a CAD department, and the programming is done by our field technicians & programmers. Energenecs has a great team of skilled individuals. I live near Plymouth and work in the office and also remotely. It’s very flexible here, which is nice.
Did you grow up in Wisconsin?
I grew up in Sheboygan. The lakeshore is really nice in Sheboygan, growing up there was a lot of fun.
What do you do for fun?
My wife and I are in a bowling league, we’ve cut back to once a week now. We used to do tournaments and she became a 200 plus average bowler, she’s good!
My preferred mode of transportation always was a motorcycle. Unless it’s winter. If it’s nice out, motorcycles are really just the best way to experience your surroundings. Riding motorcycles was something I really wanted to do, it gets addicting! My wife also rides, she has a Harley Davidson and teaches the MSF Basic Rider Course. I race motorcycles in the summer at Road America in Plymouth and Blackhawk Farms located outside South Beloit, Illinois. They have amateur racing and you have to kind of work your way up to earn your racing license. I’m hoping to get my racing license this year, it’s sort of a bucket list thing.
How long have you been racing?
I’m going on my third year. I started doing track days, then I got more involved and my motorcycle has evolved from a street legal bike to a track bike. I usually do about four or five track days a year.
How do you train for the races?
I ride an exercise bike and try to work my core and quads. You’re hanging on pretty much with your lower body and your legs. And I try to diet, because every pound costs you, but I still like ice cream! It’s a lot of fun, a real thrill. Some people might have the idea that it’s dangerous, but it’s a closed environment. Even though I’m doing 150-160 miles an hour at times, it’s safer than the streets. There’s no traffic, there’s no intersections, no telephone poles. There’s a worker on every corner, they have a safety crew and an ambulance. You’re fully suited up with body armor, helmet and pads. They don’t encourage you to push yourself beyond your limits, but to improve at anything you have to push at least a little.
I think it’s really fun. I would encourage anybody to do what challenges you.
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