Tracy Mitchell, EIT, CFM
City of Aiken
Assistant City Engineer

How long have you been a member of SESWA (years)?
I have been a member for five years.

Have you served SESWA in the past? If so, how?
I've been on multiple committees for a handful of years, serving from the private sector. Would like to expand on that involvement now from the local government side.

What abilities and attributes can you bring to the Board?
I have been a part of both the private and public sectors for several years, both as an active SESWA member and can provide value to the perspectives from both sides. The challenges that are faced from each sector are the same but also very different and navigating the information and guidance to both is very important to me. Additionally, as a resident, I have my own stormwater responsibilities through BMP ownership and serving on local boards and commissions. I also have the desire to ensure that local entities are able to reach the citizens of their community more efficiently and effectively regarding stormwater and the SESWA community garners a responsibility through this organization to enhance solutions to challenges that we all face and hopefully provide insight into potential stormwater concerns that we are all facing.

What background and experience do you have in the stormwater industry?
I have worked for a number of years in the Stormwater Permitting section of the SC Department of Environmental Services before moving in to the Stormwater Program Manager role for the capital city, City of Columbia. After leaving the City, after a brief hiatus, I entered into the private side continuing as a subject matter expert and stormwater lead for two different firms before landing back into a government role at the City of Aiken. I have a combined 20 year career just in stormwater and am a part of numerous state-wide organizations and efforts to promote stormwater as a valued utility. I am also a Certified Floodplain Manager and that certification has substantial overlap in stormwater not only as it pertains to my day-to-day tasks but also as it relates to climate change, projected flooding concerns in our communities and how these two can be a valuable metric in enhancing our stormwater awareness and goals.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors?
I would like to step out of the role of a committee member and volunteer and into a more substantial role to assist in a way that carries a little more weight. I would love to bring a fresh set of new ideas, concepts and/or training to the forefront and would like to get to know the stormwater community better than I have been able to before, particularly for those who are not within my own state. I think I could add some value from my experience of managing/mitigating stormwater from each side of the triangle (citizen, regulator, consultant).