Members' 25-Year Reminiscences

Ward Miller, AICP

Executive Director, Lake County, Illinois Stormwater Management Commission.
Formerly with the City of Tulsa in both stormwater and neighborhood revitalization
Libertyville, Illinois

Upon reflection, I have three primary comments on our industry:

1. Planning is such an all-encompassing field. How invigorating it was to, "overnight" transition from neighborhood housing rehab to flood control and stormwater management. One can learn so much about all kinds of subjects yet practice under the same precepts and processes.

2. Multidisciplinary approaches produce innovation. It has been fun watching the evolution of stormwater management from a structural, civil engineer dominated industry to one of green infrastructure planning. Now, each profession represented on the team has so much to offer and receives so much in return in expanded horizons.

3. Our "family" is populated by good people with integrity and good values. What a joy it is to be associated with these good folks! Count me in with the minority that still enjoy their jobs, get something new out of every day, and are proud of their profession.