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Interview with Jessica L. Watts, P.E., CFM, D.WRE

April 2010

Ms. Jessica Watts, P.E., CFM, D.WRE is a water resources engineer experienced in natural water quality, water resources engineering, and civil engineering. Her project experience encompasses site development, grant writing, water and sanitary sewerage, transportation, and environmental site assessments.

Ms. Watts' project experience include having served as Task Force Leader for New Orleans Infrastructure Assessment after Hurricane Katrina disaster, working as Project Manager for Louisiana's West Bank Subsurface Drainage Improvement Program, serving as Project Engineer for Little Maumelle Wastewater Treatment Facility for Little Rock Wastewater Utility in Arkansas and Project Engineer for Long Term Hazard Mitigation Project for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Jefferson Parish in Southern Louisiana.

Ms. Watts received her Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, and her Masters degree in Environmental & Water Resource Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Jessica was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Engineer Award of the Memphis Chapter of Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) in 2000 and was named Honorable Mention for National Science Foundation Fellowship in 2006.

Jessica currently is a water resources project engineer at the New Orleans office of CDM and she became a Diplomate in September 2009. She is also a Certified Floodplain Manager through ASFPM.

Please share with us on where most of your childhood was spent. What was it like for you growing up there?

JW: Most, and I use that term lightly, of my childhood was spent in and around the New Orleans area. During my first 18 years I moved 13 times and lived in seven different cities. Neither of my parents was in the military — we just moved a lot. Growing up in New Orleans was great. I remember, when I was eight, walking up the levee that was in our backyard — one of the levees, in fact, that was breached after Hurricane Katrina — looking over the edge and seeing a huge, dry, concrete canal. I asked my Dad what it was and why it was there. I remember him trying to explain that we lived in a "bowl" below sea level and that the canals were there to keep the water out. I didn't understand what he was talking about at the time, but I am very aware of it now.

How early on did you know that you wanted to study civil engineering? What were the key factors in your decision to be a civil engineer?

JW: I did not begin college knowing that I wanted to be a civil engineer. My interest in engineering was certainly sparked by my Dad, a professor of chemical engineering, but was cemented during my time at Space Academy, in Huntsville, Alabama, during high school. I entered college as a mechanical engineering major with the intention of continuing into graduate school and working for NASA. But, during a vacation my sophomore year I began thinking about the ramifications of choosing such a demanding career. What it would mean to a family I might have. I also realized that although I loved the space program, I was not enthralled with mechanical engineering as a whole. I began to think about which engineering I did like — as a whole — and not just one part of it. I realized that I would probably be happy doing any type of work as a civil engineer — I liked it all. This is somewhat apparent in the course my career has taken. I am a diplomate, water resources engineer, but I have also had significant experience in transportation design, site development, land development, as well as water and sewer system design.

How was your experience as an undergraduate student in Tennessee and pursuing a masters later at University of Texas?

JW: I was not the typical graduate student at the University of Texas. I had seven years of experience as an engineer between studies. I had a husband and two children. My daughter was eight months old at the time I started. The pace during the first year was grueling. I had gotten comfortable in my career. I knew what I was doing most of the time. Graduate school just made me realize how ignorant I was. It seemed the longer I was there the less I knew.

On top of that we lived an hour outside of Austin, for financial reasons, so after putting in a ten to twelve hour day at school I would drive home and be not much more than a lump sitting in the kitchen or living room. I spent the weekends studying at the library. I missed a lot of my kids during that time; my daughter's first steps were captured on video with a phone by her day care teacher.

But, amazingly it got better. The second year was much easier. I was more comfortable in my research and my class load was reduced. I look back on that time and it seems a blur, but at the end of it I came out with a little bit more knowledge, but more importantly a stronger ability to tackle the problems that were not obvious.

How long have you been with CDM in the New Orleans office and how have you enjoyed working and living in New Orleans?

JW: I have been with CDM for four years, but have only been at CDM in New Orleans for nine months. I have enjoyed my time here tremendously. The work has been fascinating and New Orleans is great. As my husband put it, "this is the most to-doingist town!" There is always something going on, football watching parties, Mardi Gras, Crescent City Classic, French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest, and more that I have yet to learn about.

After Hurricane Katrina, we know that you served as the Task Force Leader for the New Orleans Infrastructure Assessment established by the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, City of New Orleans, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, and FEMA. What were some of your main duties in that role and what was that experience like for you?

JW: I stepped into this role partway through when my boss was called up on active duty for the Air Force. My role was to facilitate the discovery and evaluation whether the drainage infrastructure was damaged and if that damage was due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I was not the expert in the field doing the evaluation, instead I coordinated and got the right people in to do the work and synthesize the data in the end to create an understandable picture of the state of New Orleans drainage infrastructure.

It seems that you've worked on many great projects in the mid-south region of the United States. Do you have any aspirations of relocating to another part of the country or even abroad overseas?

JW: I am happy where I am right now, and I was happy at each of the places that I worked. I do not have any immediate plans to move, but if the opportunity came to work oversees I think I would jump right on it. I love the idea of broadening my horizons and seeing more of the world.

We know that some of your professional expertise is in stormwater mitigation, GIS-water resources, and multi-designing. Which do you find most challenging and fun?

JW: In graduate school I was privileged to work with Dr. David Maidment and enter the world of GIS and water resources. I have to say I totally fell in love with maps and everything that you could do with GIS. I love using GIS to analyze data and display my findings. I find that GIS makes the complexity of information that engineers need communicate easier to understand, especially to municipal officials as well as the general public.

It also seems you've done quite bit of work in site-development. Can you share with us some of your more memorable projects you've worked on?

JW: My most memorable site development project is the one that sparked my return to graduate school — with an emphasis in water resources. I was the civil engineer for a church design in Asheville, North Carolina. The church wanted their facility to be designed and built sustainably, but had not considered that their site could also be built sustainably. I did a lot of research and ended up suggesting many aspects that could be added to make their site more "green" from pervious pavement to a cistern for irrigation.

You are one of the Founding 500 Diplomates of AAWRE- what were the main influencing factors in your decision to pursue the D.WRE?

JW: D. WRE certification is something all water resource engineers are encouraged to get at CDM. In fact I had been with CDM only one month when the idea was floated to me. I was not yet eligible, but the idea remained in the back of my mind for a couple of years and I applied almost as soon as I became eligible. The D.WRE displays a level of competency beyond the P.E. — a dedication to the specialty of water resources engineering. I like that.

What types of services or initiatives would you like to see AAWRE pursue?

JW: Coastal restoration, Transboundary water resource issues, and water drought/crisis issues.

We know that among some of your personal accomplishments are being awarded Outstanding Young Engineer Award from the Memphis Chapter of TSPE and receiving Honorable Mention from the National Science Foundation. What would be your personal advice to students out there that is looking to excel as a student pursuing an engineering career?

JW: Get involved outside of work and school. Join a group that you enjoy interacting with both socially and intellectually. It does not need to be a standard group, such as ASCE or NSPE. Join an organization where engineering may be fringe. It will expand your perspective. You will hear about new and different methods of attacking problems or maybe you will just meet people. But, people are the strongest resource in engineering.

If you can share, what is your personal philosophy or vision for being successful?

JW: Enjoy what you do — because that way the hard work won't be difficult.

We understand that in the past you have been actively involved in serving as a Commissioner for the City Beautiful Commission in Little Rock, Arkansas and Board member for the Memphis Chapter of TSPE. Are you actively involved and participating with any other committees or initiatives currently? Would you be interested in serving on a future AAWRE committee?

JW: Since moving to New Orleans I have become active in the local professional chapter of SWE and have recently started taking part with the Horizon Initiative, a group of people with very different interests and perspectives in water resources issues of New Orleans.

I would love to serve on a future AAWRE committee.

What are some of your personal hobbies and interests?

JW: I currently enjoy the regular activities of singing, reading, jogging, and knitting. I currently sing with the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans.

I also enjoy, on a less regular basis, whitewater rafting, canoeing, skiing, and cake decorating. I have enjoyed, before (having) kids, martial arts, dancing (ballroom and ballet), and stained glass.

What are some of your personal goals and aspirations for the next year?

JW: Balance. I have been very focused on work the past five years and am trying to find the balance of work, family, and health. I have recently started a fitness program and have been running regularly. I am preparing to register for a triathlon (sprint length) to add some variety in my workouts.

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