This course provides a comprehensive overview of Ductile Iron Pipe, including its applications, proper handling, installation techniques, and testing procedures. Participants will also explore valve and hydrant history, installation best practices, and common troubleshooting methods, supported by a hands-on demonstration. The session will further cover fitting history and proper installation, as well as guidance on selecting specialty valves and ensuring their correct application.
Class will be held in-person To allow for adequate training time for each participant, we will be watching registrations closely and begin a Wait List, if needed. Registration is on a first come first served basis.
To sign up for this class, REGISTER ONLINE, or contact Erica Burns
Date: June 23, 2026 (#2026-10)
Locations: TBD
Time:
Attendance: 7:45AM – 8:00AM
Class: 8:00AM – 1:00pm (includes breaks)
Class Fee (per registrant):
MassRWA Members: FREE
Non-Members: FREE
Agency Approval:
4.5 TCH’s for MA Water
Instructors: Jeff Houser (McWane Ductile), Brett Johnson (Clow Valve), Ben Stola (Tyler Union), Matthew Miller (MPI), Brad Whitaker (Kennedy Valve/M&H Valve)
Instructor(s) Bio:
Brett Johnson has been employed by Clow Valve Company for over 20 years. In 2002 he started as an Outside Sales Trainee in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where Clow Valve Company is headquartered. He was fortunate enough to move to New Hampshire in 2003 to assume the Territory Sales Manager position. Brett has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire.
He’s been a long time member of the following trade associations: New England Water Works Association, New York AWWA, CT AWWA, Long Island Water Conference, New Hampshire Water Works Association, Maine Water Utilities Association, Green Mountain Water Environment Association, Rhode Island Water Works Association, Massachusetts Water Works Association, Granite State Rural Water Association, Maine Rural Water Association, Massachusetts Rural Water Association and Vermont Rural Water Association. Brett currently serves on the Sponsor Services and Innovations Committees with New England Water Works Association. I’ve taught numerous CEU courses relating to the proper operation and maintenance of fire hydrants and gate valves as well as the evolution of technology into fire hydrants. He resides in Rochester, New Hampshire, with his wife and 2 elementary school aged daughters.
Brad Whitaker has been in the water works business since 1988 and is in his 30th year with Kennedy Valve covering New England. Previous jobs include representing a PVC pipe manufacturer, managing a distributor location and briefly representing a hydrant competitor. Whitaker is a member of New England Water Works and all of the New England Rural Water Associations. He lives in West Lebanon NH with his wife Karen. He is the father of three and a new grandfather.
Matt Miller serves as Technical Sales Manager for MPI, covering the Northeast and Ohio Valley territories. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, he has five years of experience in the valve industry, including three years with MPI. Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and is DBIA Certified. He is passionate about helping customers identify practical, high-performing valve solutions tailored to their project needs.
Jeff Houser is the New England District Manager at McWane Ductile. Jeff started his career in the water works industry in 1989 in a small family run water works supply house in Rutland, VT. During the next 3 years Jeff was introduced to the water & wastewater markets in a variety of applications & users. Having been considered a firsthand type of individual, these new challenges in developing knowledge in sales & installation of a vast assortment of products began. In 1992 Jeff accepted a position with McWane Ductile, a second generation to work for the company, managing a sales territory of Northern New England. Through the years Jeff has been elevated from entry level sales representative to District Manager in New York, and more recently, the past 15+ years as New England District Manager. Jeff has been exposed to several unique situations in the proper application, handling & installation of Ductile Iron Pipe.
Jeff is currently active in the Connecticut Section AWWA, on their Associates Committee, New England Water Works Association on their Sponsor Services Committee, New England Section AWWA on their Infrastructure Committee, as well as the Utility Contractors Association of New England on their Government Relations Committee.
Jeff is the NEWWA 2019 Recipient of the K.O. Hodgson Distinguished Service Award
Jeff currently resides in East Greenbush, NY with his wife Jean, & enjoys the outdoors, as well as an occasional round on the links.
Cancellation Policy:
Individuals registered for one of our training classes, seminars, and/or conferences will be charged the class fee if we have not received notice of cancellation at least 48 hours prior to the beginning of class. Anyone contacting MassRWA to cancel enrollment in a training session will receive a cancellation number. In the event of an emergency, which would prevent attendance, please contact MassRWA as soon as possible with the details.
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