The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) (Birmingham, Alabama, USA) announced that Josh Blount has been elevated to the position of regional director for the Western Region.
“Josh Blount’s expertise is critical to DIPRA’s mission to provide the highest level of research on ductile iron pipe for water and wastewater applications,” says Patrick J. Hogan, president of DIPRA. “His work with utilities to study corrosion and his strong background in seismic design aids our member companies in designing the strongest, most resilient pipes available. We take seriously our responsibility to help communities provide safe, clean drinking water using the most innovative pipes ever developed, and Josh’s research, extensive experience, and industry relationship will help DIPRA continue our important work.”
During his time at DIPRA, Blount has helped utility managers, engineers, operators, and field crew personnel with system planning and design, installation, and asset management related to iron pipe. In his new role as regional director, he will provide training and presentations, assist with relevant references and guides, and aid utility contacts and other DIPRA staff with support on technical issues, applications, material comparisons, and more.
As a senior regional engineer for the Western States, Blount provided technical advisory services to water and wastewater utility professionals and their consulting engineers. In addition to speaking at section meetings of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), he assisted with readings at a DIPRA test site in Utah and represented the organization in a joint corrosion probe study with a Colorado utility. Blount is a member of AWWA and the American Society of Civil Engineers, where he served on the Seismic Design for Buried Pipelines technical committee for the Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute Pipelines division.
Blount is a registered professional engineer in the State of North Carolina, a NACE Cathodic Protection technician (CP2), and an Envision Sustainability Professional. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining DIPRA, he worked as an assistant resident engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, managing construction projects and overseeing contractors and construction inspectors.
Source: DIPRA, www.dipra.org.