Working with rural communities to construct, operate and maintain safe drinking water and sanitary wastewater facilities
Environmental
Our Team
Communities Unlimited’s Environmental Services Team is comprised of many years of service in water and wastewater systems. Our team of Technical Assistance Providers, GIS Technicians, Management Consultants and Regionalization experts provide expert assistance for rural communities in our seven state footprint.
Our Assistance
As the southern regional affiliate of RCAP (Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc.) we provide managerial, technical, and financial assistance to Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Additional Services
In addition to assistance for water and wastewater systems, we provide training opportunities, GIS Mapping, private well assessments, and lending opportunities to water systems and personal household septic systems.
Get in contact with our Environmental Services Team to discuss your water or wastewater needs
Assistance
Policies & Procedures
Our technical assistance providers work with officials, staff and operators to ensure that they have the necessary documentation required by regulatory agencies. Examples include Emergency Response Plans (ERP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) and testing reports.
Budgeting
Our technical assistance providers assist systems in budget development.
Board Member Training
Board members are volunteers that may have limited experience with utility rules and regulations. Our technical system providers train board members with the knowledge they need to effectively govern the system and facilitate the needs of the customers.
Bookkeeping
Our technical assistance providers work with utility staff to provide bookkeeping and recordkeeping training.
Rate Analysis
Our technical assistance providers analyze financial data to determine the rate necessary to cover system expenses.
Funding Assistance
Our technical assistance providers work to identify various funding sources needed to finance infrastructure projects
442 Reporting
Our technical assistance providers work with utilities to complete the “Budget, Income, Income and Equity Statement” and “Balance Sheet” (also known as RD 442 forms) required by the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development loans.
Technical Assistance
Our technical assistance providers evaluate system operations and maintenance to assess current compliance status, provide necessary training, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Operator Training
Our technical assistance providers offer online and in-person training to keep stakeholders up to date on industry regulations as well as to provide opportunities for operator to earn CEUs for operator license maintenance.
Policies & Procedures
Our technical assistance providers work with officials, staff and operators to ensure that they have the necessary documentation required by regulatory agencies. Examples include Emergency Response Plans (ERP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) and testing reports.
Budgeting
Our technical assistance providers assist systems in budget development.
Board Member Training
Board members are volunteers that may have limited experience with utility rules and regulations. Our technical system providers train board members with the knowledge they need to effectively govern the system and facilitate the needs of the customers.
Bookkeeping
Our technical assistance providers work with utility staff to provide bookkeeping and recordkeeping training.
Rate Analysis
Our technical assistance providers analyze financial data to determine the rate necessary to cover system expenses.
Funding Assistance
Our technical assistance providers work to identify various funding sources needed to finance infrastructure projects
442 Reporting
Our technical assistance providers work with utilities to complete the “Budget, Income, Income and Equity Statement” and “Balance Sheet” (also known as RD 442 forms) required by the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development loans.
Technical Assistance
Our technical assistance providers evaluate system operations and maintenance to assess current compliance status, provide necessary training, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Operator Training
Our technical assistance providers offer online and in-person training to keep stakeholders up to date on industry regulations as well as to provide opportunities for operator to earn CEUs for operator license maintenance.
Additional Services
How Can We Help?
Environmental Stories
Resilience, Collaboration
Drew, Mississippi, a small delta town of 1,927 in Sunflower County, has long faced challenges in maintaining and…
Safeguarding Water, Protecting Communities
Across the United States, under the new Lead and Copper Rule, all water systems were tasked with identifying both…
Earle’s Young Visionary
Earle, Arkansas, is located in Crittenden County, in the eastern part of the state. It sits along U.S. Highway 64,…
Water Revival
Wabbaseka, Arkansas, a small town in the southeastern part of the state, holds deep historical roots within Jefferson…
Rising Resolve
In October 2023, Marcella Dean became the mayor of Annona, a small town in northeast Texas with just 184 residents. She…
Water, History, and Hope
Elaine, Arkansas, located in southeastern Phillips County near the Mississippi River, is a small town with a rich…
Sewer Revival
Victoria, Texas, located halfway between Houston and Corpus Christi, is home to the Quail Creek Municipal Utility…
Mulberry, AR
Nestled in the foothills of the Boston Mountains along the Arkansas River, Mulberry, Arkansas, sits in Crawford County…
Mapping Resilience
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) requires utility systems to maintain detailed maps…
Water Guardian
Darren Fields exemplifies the dedication and resilience that define the role of a water operator. As the Water…
Septic Relief
For four long years, Misty Hall lived in a state of constant anxiety. Her home in Jefferson County, Arkansas, was…
Environmental Staff
Environmental Services Director
Karen Conrad
Karen Conrad is the Environmental Services Director. Prior to becoming the Environmental Services Director Karen was the Central Regional Area Director for Environmental Services in Miami, Oklahoma and began at Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2007 as an Operations Management Specialist. She was promoted to Oklahoma Coordinator in 2017. She has worked with community environmental management systems for more than 37 years. She has been a Certified Water and Wastewater Operator in Oklahoma and Missouri since 1980.
Karen received a Master of Business Administration degree from Pittsburg State University in 1999 and a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University in 1993. She also attended the Water and Wastewater Technical School in Neosho, Missouri, and graduated with high honors in 1980.
Phone:918.919.1653
West Regional Area Director
Harold Hunter
Harold Hunter, West Regional Area Director for Texas Environmental Services in Richmond, Texas, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 1994. He has worked with community environmental management systems for more than 38 years. He assisted 11 community water and wastewater systems in Texas and leveraged more than $33 million in community infrastructure for Texas community water and wastewater systems.
He conducted three training workshops in Political Science with a minor in Sociology/History from Ouachita Baptist University in 1973 and a master’s in public administration at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Phone:903.261.9161
East Regional Area Director
Alexander Brandon
Alexander Brandon, East Regional Area Director for Environmental Services for Communities Unlimited (CU). Alexander joined Communities Unlimited in 2010 and manages the business operations for Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Alexander has worked with community environmental management systems for more than 15 years. He has been a Certified Water Operator licensed by the State of Mississippi since 2003. He has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Mississippi State in 2001. Alexander lives in Brandon, Mississippi.
Phone:601.506.6305
Central Regional Area Director
Brad Jarrett
Brad Jarrett, Central Regional Area Director joined CU in 2010. Before becoming an Area Director Brad was a Community Environmental Management Specialist and the State Coordinator for Arkansas Environmental Services. Brad oversees our Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana Environmental Services Team in providing technical assistance and training to small communities and water/wastewater facilities.
Prior to starting at Communities Unlimited Brad served on the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He received the Army Achievement Medal for his leadership of operations of the 212th Signal Battalion and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2016. He attended Vincennes University and is a graduate of the U.S. Army School of Petroleum and Water Supply.
Phone:479.313.0621
Louisiana State Coordinator
Chris Brunson
Chris Brunson, State Coordinator – Louisiana Environmental Services located in Dry Prong, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2001 as an Operations Management Specialist before being promoted in 2019. He has more than 37 years of experience in community environmental management systems. Chris works in community outreach and strategic planning in low-income and underserved communities while collaborating with community leaders. Chris worked with 22 projects and leveraged $9.4 million for community water and wastewater infrastructure development projects last year in Louisiana. He also presented six environmental training workshops. He holds Louisiana Class IV licenses in all five areas of water and wastewater.
Phone:318.542.6614
Tennessee State Coordinator
Annie Chiodo
Annie Chiodo is the State Coordinator for Tennessee Environmental Services. She lives in Waynesboro, Tennessee. She joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2014. Annie has worked with Community Environmental Management Systems for 20 years. She currently supervises and assists staff in Tennessee to ensure the development of critical, external, and professional relationships. She is currently mentoring two new employees for Communities Unlimited. Annie holds a Class III Tennessee Water Treatment License and a Class II (inflow & infiltration) (inflow & infiltration) Tennessee Water Distribution License.
Phone:931.332.6579
Alabama State Coordinator
Dinah Foreman
Dinah Foreman, the State Coordinator for Alabama-Environmental Services, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2015. Dinah has worked with Community Environmental Management Systems for over 26 years. She currently assists over 5 community water and wastewater systems in Alabama. Ms. Foreman conducted over 4 training workshops last year. She has been a Certified Water and Wastewater Operator licensed by the State of Alabama since 2013 and received her Wastewater certification in Louisiana in 1999. Dinah has been a certified environmental trainer since 2003. Dinah supervises and assists a staff of three in Alabama to ensure the development of critical, external, and professional relationships.
Phone:256.483.8611
Oklahoma State Coordinator
Gaylene Riley
Gaylene Riley, State Coordinator for Oklahoma Environmental Services, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2017 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. Gaylene Supervises and supports the CU Environmental Program and staff in Oklahoma to ensure the development of critical, external, and professional relationships/partnerships within the State of Oklahoma are maintained.
Previously, she worked for 35 years as a Rural Development Specialist at USDA-Rural Development. She holds an Oklahoma Class D Operator license for water and wastewater operations and a Class C Water Lab license for Oklahoma.
Gaylene lives in Atoka, Oklahoma.
Phone:580.364.4345
Arkansas State Coordinator
Tonya Kendrix
Tonya Kendrix started Communities Unlimited (CU) in January 2023 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. She is now the Arkansas State Coordinator for Environmental Services. Tonya supervises and supports the Environmental Program staff in Arkansas. She also provides onsite technical assistance and training to rural community management systems with water and wastewater disposal problems and needs.
Before coming to CU, Tonya worked as a Home Health Nurse for Bradley County Medical Center. She also served as the Alderwoman for the City of Hermitage from 2014-2018. Tonya has a master’s in science of nursing from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Tonya lives in Hermitage, Arkansas.
Phone:501.291.9229
East Texas Regional Coordinator
Tom Fulton
Tom Fulton, State Coordinator East Texas Environmental Services, based in Longview, Texas, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2006. Tom supervises and supports a team that provides on-site technical assistance to existing water/wastewater disposal facilities in small rural communities that are experiencing operational, managerial, and/or regulatory compliance challenges with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act for wastewater permitting.
He has worked with community environmental management systems for many years. He has been a licensed water and wastewater operator in Texas since 1983. He has had a Class A Water license for Texas since 1993 and a Class B Wastewater license since 2009.
Phone:903.261.3641
South Texas Regional Coordinator
Raul Gonzalez
Raul Gonzalez Jr. started Communities Unlimited (CU) as an Operations Management Specialist in 2003. In 2017 he was promoted to the State Coordinator South Texas for Environmental Services. Raul works with community water and wastewater systems in South Texas. He assists them in areas of financial and managerial capacity to maintain or obtain compliance. He establishes relationships with federal, state, and local officials, and project community leaders. Raul trains and mentors new Communities Unlimited Environmental field staff members.
He has been a certified Water Operator licensed by Texas since 1996. He attended Texas Southmost College, Brownsville, TX for Geological Mapping, Surveying, Architectural and Texas State Technical Institute, Brownsville, TX for the Auto CAD Program.
Phone:479.445.3726
West Texas Regional Coordinator
Kurt Grant
Kurt Grant is the State Coordinator for West Texas Environmental Services. He supervises and supports Communities Unlimited (CU) Environmental Program staff in West Texas and supports the CU Environmental State Director. He joined Communities Unlimited in May 2020 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. Kurt is based out of Amarillo, Texas, where he assists community water and wastewater systems in Texas.
Kurt previously worked with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission as a Local Government Services Specialist, where he served as contract City Manager for Timbercreek Canyon and as part of the Texas Revenue Recovery Association. He also administered and managed Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for various Panhandle region projects and trained for Grant Administration through the Texas Department of Agriculture. Kurt is working with 12 communities and conducted three training workshops in the last year.
Kurt has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and an associate degree in business administration from South Plains College in Levelland, Texas.
Phone:806.335.5773
Mississippi State Coordinator
Shannon McCranie
Shannon McCranie, Mississippi State Coordinator for Environmental Services, is in Southaven, Mississippi, and joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2019 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. Shannon is responsible for leading her 3-member team across the state of Mississippi in providing community environmental technical assistance and training to small communities and/or existing water/wastewater systems.
She has worked in community development for more than two years. She previously worked as an Environmental Chemist for a power company, where she acquired knowledge of wastewater procedures, treatment systems, and analyses. In 2023,
She received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in 2015.
Phone:662.418.6906
Regionalization Project Manager
Lupita Ortega
Lupita Ortega, Project Manager – Regionalization Environmental, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2018. Lupita ensures projects are met on time and provides technical assistance to small communities and/or existing small water/wastewater facilities in South Texas in areas of financial and managerial capacity to maintain compliance and sustainability.
Lupita also worked as a contract disaster assistance technician after Hurricane Harvey in Texas. She completed four training modules at the Utility Management Institute-North American Development Bank in San Antonio, Texas. The modules were Planning, Designing, and Implementing a Successful Utility and Financial Administration.
Phone:956.229.4504
Senior Community Environmental Management Specialist
Oliver de la Garza
Oliver De La Garza, Senior Environmental Management Consultant in Texas, began Communities Unlimited (CU) in September 2018 as Assistant Director of Community Sustainability, where he coordinated recovery efforts in four communities affected by Hurricane Harvey.
In March 2020, Oliver became a Senior Environmental Management Consultant. Oliver provides onsite technical assistance and training to rural community environmental management systems with water and wastewater problems. He assists systems with planning, financing, utility, and administration needs.
Oliver previously served in the Texas Secretary of State’s office as a Child Support Officer II in the Texas Secretary of State’s office. Oliver has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.
Phone:956.355.1255
Senior Community Environmental Management Specialist
Julie Hudgins
Julie Hudgins, Senior Environmental Management Consultant based in Westville, Oklahoma, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2018, as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. Julie manages projects, handles deliverables, and provides water and wastewater support to communities. She assists operators, board members and other staff through technical assistance and training.
She has worked with community environmental management systems for more than 24 years. She currently assists 13 community water and wastewater systems in Oklahoma and leveraged $20 million in community infrastructure financing in the last year. She has been a certified Water and Wastewater Operator licensed by Oklahoma since 2019. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance Management from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Phone:918.507.1596
Senior Environmental Management Consultant
Richard King
Richard King is a Senior Environmental Management Consultant based in Bastrop, Louisiana. He joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2001 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. He has worked with community environmental management systems for more than 20 years. He is currently assisting eight community water systems in Arkansas and Louisiana and has leveraged more than eight community water systems in Arkansas and Louisiana and leveraged over $2 million last year. He holds a Class IV Louisiana Professional Water Operator license in Water Production, Treatment, and Distribution. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1973 after serving a tour of duty in Vietnam.
Phone:318.647.4003
Quality Assurance Manager
Teresa Vite
Teresa Vite, Quality Assurance Manager, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in March 2021. She works directly for the Special Projects Area Director. Teresa is responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and reporting data.
Before coming to CU, Teresa worked as a Secretary for the Rogers School District. Teresa holds a Bachelor of English Arts from the University of Arkansas – Fulbright College of Arts and Science as well as an Associates of Science in General Studies from Northwest Arkansas Community College.
Phone:479.790.1821
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Stacey Scarce
Stacey L. Scarce joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in October 2022 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist in Lafayette, LA. She assists Rural Community Water Systems with technical, managerial, and financial assessments to improve their infrastructure. She is responsible for ensuring proper project implementation, reporting, administration, and planning of environmental projects.
Before coming to CU, she worked as an Executive Director for Our Neighbors Farm and Pantry in Safford, AZ. Stacey has a BA in Elementary Education and a BS in General Studies from the University of Southwestern LA.
Phone:501.398.8266
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Robert Kelley
Robert Kelley joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in October 2020 as an Environmental Service Manager. He later became a Community Environmental Management Specialist. Robert provides technical assistance for water and wastewater management and assists municipalities with gaining access to capital. He assists them in all areas of technical and financial compliance.
His previous work experience included serving as a Senior Wellsite Geologist for an oil and gas firm, where he provided clients with detailed geochemical rock and hydrocarbon gas analyses. He is PEC and H2S certified, and Tennessee’s rural water and wastewater systems trained as an Emergency First Responder. He has a bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Robert is based in Greenfield, Tennessee.
Phone:731.699.0774
Community Environmental Management Advisor
Lucas Guinn
Lucas Guinn is a Community Environmental Management Advisor for Communities Unlimited (CU) Environmental Team. He assists communities with their water and wastewater needs. He also provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development capacity building assistance and training to small community environmental management systems.
Lucas joined CU in April 2022. He has around 21 years of experience working with water and wastewater. Before coming to CU, Lucas worked for Oklahoma Rural Water Association as a Water Circuit Rider. Lucas lives in Westville, OK.
Phone:479.313.4982
Training Project Manager
Lorraine Magee
Lorraine Magee, Training Project Manager, is based in Monticello, Mississippi, and joined Communities Unlimited in 2018.
She is responsible for planning, developing and delivering training for the Environmental team, for the seven-state regions. She has worked with community environmental management systems for more than eight years. She currently assists 16 community water and wastewater systems in Mississippi and has leveraged more than $1.2 million in community infrastructure financing last year.
Lorraine earned a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. She obtained her MSDH Class C Water Operator’s Certification in 2019.
Phone:601.669.0495
Central Texas State Coordinator
Kayley Westbrook
Kayley Westbrook started Communities Unlimited (CU) in October of 2022, as a Community Environmental Management Technician for Communities Unlimited in Temple, Texas. In December 2023, Kayley was promoted to State Coordinator Central Texas- Environmental Services. In her role as the State Coordinator, Kayley coordinates with Central Texas employes to achieve goals set by the Area Director. She establishes relationships with systems that need assistance and works with her staff members to obtain the best solutions to meet the goals in her communities.
She makes sure that systems are meeting federal and state environmental regulations.
Before coming to CU, Kayley worked as a Retail Manager.
Phone:479.595.5077
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Jorge Negrete
Jorge Negrete is a Community Environmental Management Specialist for Communities Unlimited (CU). He assists Rural Community Water Systems with technical, managerial, and financial assessments to improve their infrastructure. He conducts data synthesis, research, and data collection for water and wastewater projects.
Before coming to CU, Jorge worked with city stakeholders and engineers to find solutions to water sewer improvement in Webb County Colonias. Jorge has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota. Jorge started CU in October 2022.
Phone:479.856.2205
Community Environmental Management Technician
Janelle Saucedo
Janelle Saucedo joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in October 2022. She is a Community Environmental Management Technician in East Texas. She provides onsite technical assistance to rural communities with water and wastewater issues and assists them with project planning, financing, and utility management and administration. She makes sure that systems are meeting federal and state environmental regulations.
Before coming to CU, Janelle worked as a Laboratory Technologist for QualTex Laboratories at Biobridge Global in San Antonio. Janelle received a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of California at Riverside. Janelle lives in Dallas, Texas.
Phone:318.625.8121
Community Environmental Management Technician
Irma Schultz
Irma Schultz, Community Environmental Management Technician in Tyler, Texas, began with Communities Unlimited (CU) in February 2021. She assists in providing essential onsite technical assistant services to 15-20 small communities and small water/wastewater systems serving rural areas. Irma graduated from Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health Administration in December 2018.
Phone:903.262.8344
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Cherub Alford
Cherub Alford is a Community Environmental Management Specialist for Communities Unlimited (CU). In her role, Cherub provides on-site technical assistance services to 15-20 small communities and/or existing small water/wastewater facilities serving rural areas, to address public water supply and wastewater disposal problems in the state. Cherub prepares research and provides reports detailing the technical assistance to each project community.
Cherub graduated from the University of Louisiana –Monroe in 2001 with a Major in Journalism. She has a background in communication, project planning, and funding. She has a passion for community development and growing rural communities.
Cherub lives in Crossett, Arkansas.
Phone:479.856.4494
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Chad Brown
Chad Brown, a Community Environmental Management Specialist based in Tyler, Texas, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in February 2021. He provides technical, managerial, and financial assistance to rural water and wastewater systems. He spent four years working with the City of Raleigh (NC) Public Utilities for four years for four years City of Raleigh (NC) Public Utilities. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served with the 2-13th Aviation Regiment in Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and in the 2nd Infantry Division as part of the United Nations Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area in South Korea. He was honorably discharged in 2013.
Phone:903.312.1784
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Bria Hines
Bria Hines started Communities Unlimited (CU) in November 2022 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. Bria lives in Alabama, where she works with CU’s communities and assists them with project management, financial, operational and project budgeting needs. Before coming to CU, Bria was a Senior Team Lead and Disability Support Specialist for Fisk University Academic Excellence and Student Performance (AESP). Bria has a Master of Education from the University of Montevallo, AL.
Phone:334.309.6930
Source Water Project Manager
Brett Capps
Before coming to Communities Unlimited (CU) in January of 2022 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist, Brett worked as a Wellsite Geologist for Impac Exploration Specialties. Brett now oversees CU’s Personal Well Program as a Source Water Program Manager. Find out more about our Personal Well Program
Brett graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Science in May 2021.
Phone:865.995.8168
Community Environmental Management Advisor
Bradley Pittman
Bradley Pittman, Community Environmental Management Advisor, came to Communities Unlimited (CU) in November of 2021. He assists communities with their water and wastewater needs and provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development capacity building assistance and training to small community environmental management systems.
Bradley graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology. Bradley lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Phone:405.397.1349
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Alex Goodyear
Alex Goodyear joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in October 2022 as an Infrastructure Development Project Manager Region-6. Alex assists in community environmental system project assignments and infrastructure development. He is responsible for assisting in community environmental system project assignments and infrastructure development milestone phases. Alex assists in the predevelopment and application processing for grants that benefit communities in EPA Region 6.
Before coming to CU, Alex worked as a Loan Technician for the United States Department of Agriculture. Alex lives in Breaux, Louisiana.
Phone:479.502.5424
Community Environmental Management Technician
Christina Hope Hernandez
Christina Hope Hernandez started Communities Unlimited (CU) in April 2023 as a Community Environmental Management Technician. She provides onsite technical assistance services to small communities and/or existing small water/wastewater facilities serving rural areas.
She prepares and submit written project reports, accurately detailing technical assistance activities provided to each project community, and research, develop, and submit to local community or utility decision-makers written reports, recommendations, feasibility studies, rate analyses etc.
Before coming to CU, Christina was a Case Manager for AYUDA, performing assessments on new clients. She attended El Paso Community College and studied Criminal Justice.
Phone:479.790.2916
Community Environmental Management Advisor
Allen Spradling
Allen Spradling came to Communities Unlimited (CU) in May 2023 as a Community Environmental Management Advisor for the Environmental Team. Allen works with our communities to assist them with their water and wastewater needs. He provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development capacity building assistance and training to small community environmental management systems.
Before starting Communities Unlimited, Allen worked as a Water/Wastewater Operator for the town of Grubbs, Arkansas. Allen served in the US Air Force from 1988-1991 and attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Allen lives in Grubbs, Arkansas and works in the northeast portion of the state.
Phone:479.409.7424
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Deborah Brown
Deborah R. Brown joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in June 2023 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. She provides technical assistance for water and wastewater management and assists municipalities with gaining access to capital. Before starting at CU, Deborah worked as an Education Program Coordinator for Go Forward Pine Bluff. Deborah has a Master of Legal Studies from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Deborah lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Phone:479.313.1231
Community Environmental Management Technician
Morgan Jones
Morgan Jones joined Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Community Environmental Management Technician in June 2023. She provides technical assistance for water and wastewater management and assists municipalities with gaining access to capital. She assists communities with project planning, financing, and utility management and administration. Morgan also ensures that systems are meeting federal and state environmental regulations.
Before coming to CU, Morgan worked for the City of Jackson Police Department, where she was responsible for analyzing and submitting results for illegal substances. Morgan has a Master’s in Pharmacy from the University of Florida and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Jackson State University. Morgan will be working in the Jackson, Mississippi, area.
Telephone:479.409.5728
Community Environmental Management Technician
Cami Cullom
Lora “Cami” Cullom joined Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Community Environmental Management Technician in July 2023. She provides onsite technical assistance to rural communities with water and wastewater issues and assists them with project planning, financing, and utility management and administration. She makes sure that systems are meeting federal and state environmental regulations.
She has a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Community & Regional Environmental Planning from American Public University. She has a strong background in Forestry Planning and residential irrigation. Cami carries an Irrigator License from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Cami works out of the South Texas Region.
Phone:479.966.0274
Community Environmental Management Advisor
Jessica Hester
Jessica Hester joins Communities Unlimited (CU) Environmental Services Team as a Community Environmental Management Advisor based in Trinity, Texas. She conducts research, prepares reports, and provides advice for meeting regulatory requirements and standards. Jessica conducts risk assessments and site inspections that help prepare regulatory approvals and environmental screenings.
Jessica was a Water/Wastewater Operator for the City of Trinity, Texas, before coming to CU. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Everett University and has a Class C Certified Groundwater Treatment Operator and Class D Certified Wastewater Operator certificates. Jessica provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development training to small community environmental management systems.
Phone:479.409.6986
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Amy Ballard
Amy Ballard joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in February 2024 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. She provides technical assistance for water and wastewater management and assists municipalities with gaining access to capital.
Before starting at CU, Amy was a Correctional Officer for Alcorn County Regional Correctional Facility in Corinth, Mississippi. She has a Bachelor’s in Occupational Health and Safety from Columbia Southern University. Amy lives in Corinth, MS.
Phone:479.380.3233
Community Environmental Management Specialist
Rebecca Manriquez-Fuentes
Rebecca Manriquez-Fuentes, Community Environmental Management Specialist, started with Communities Unlimited (CU) in February 2024. She provides technical assistance for water and wastewater management and assists municipalities with gaining access to capital.
Before coming to CU, Rebecca worked in education for 18 years, most recently as a Language Arts Teacher for the Lewisville, Texas School District. She has a Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Others Languages (TESOL) from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor’s in English from Sul Ross State University. Rebecca lives in El Paso, Texas.
Phone:479.966.5659
Community Environmental Management Advisor
Charlie Bishop
Charlie Bishop, Community Environmental Management Advisor, came to Communities Unlimited (CU) in March 2024. She assists communities with their water and wastewater needs and provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development capacity-building assistance and training to small community environmental systems.
Before joining CU, Charlie was a Pretreatment Program Specialist for the City of Denton, Texas. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Charlie lives in Fort Worth.
Phone:479.387.1995
Community Environmental Management Technician
Andres Villarreal
Andres Villarreal joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in May 2024 as a Community Environmental Management Technician in West Texas. He provides onsite technical assistance to rural communities with water and wastewater issues and assists them with project planning, financing, and utility management and administration. He ensures that systems meet federal and state environmental regulations.
Before joining CU, Andres worked as a Field Tech for the High Plains Water District in Lubbock, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from Texas Tech University in 2012. Andres lives in Lubbock.
Community Environmental Management Advisor
Britton Howe
Britton Howe, Community Environmental Management Advisor, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in June 2024. He assists communities with their water and wastewater needs and provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development capacity-building assistance and training to small community environmental management systems.
Britton has eight years of experience working with water and wastewater systems. He holds certifications as a Class A Water Operator, Class II Collections, and Class C Wastewater Treatment. Britton lives in Abilene, Texas.
Phone:(479) 443-2700
Community Environmental Management Technician
Madeline Phillips
Madeline Phillips came to Communities Unlimited (CU) in July 2024. She is a Community Environmental Management Technician in Southeast Tennessee. She provides onsite technical assistance to rural communities with water and wastewater issues and assists them with project planning, financing, and utility management and administration. She makes sure that systems are meeting federal and state environmental regulations.
Madeline has performed environmental sampling and monitoring, and before coming to CU, she was a legal compliance manager and employee relations consultant. Madeline has a degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. She lives in Chattanooga.
Phone:479.595.2905
Community Environmental Management Advisor
John Hudgins
John Hudgins joined Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Community Environmental Management Advisor in July 2024. He assists communities with their water and wastewater needs and provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development capacity-building assistance and training to small community environmental management systems.
Previously, he was a water operator for the largest rural water district in Adair County for RWD #3 in Westville, Oklahoma. John has a degree in Environmental Health and Safety Management from Northeastern State University. He will work with CU’s Environmental Team in Arkansas.
John lives in Stilwell, Oklahoma, and his mom is CU’s Senior Community Environmental Management Specialist Julie Hudgins.
Phone:479.445.3727
Community Environmental Management Technician
Alexis Nank
Alexis Nank joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in August 2024. She is a Community Environmental Management Technician in Alabama. She provides onsite technical assistance to rural communities with water and wastewater issues and assists them with project planning, financing, utility management, and administration. She ensures that systems meet federal and state environmental regulations.
Alexis has a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Troy University and a Bachelor of Science in General Biology. She lives outside Montgomery, Alabama
Community Environmental Management Advisor
Andy Callaway
Andy Callaway joined the Environmental Services Team as a Community Environmental Management Advisor in October 2024, working with the Oklahoma team. Before joining CU, she worked as a wastewater operator at Inframark. Andy spent over 20 years with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), including 12 years in the Operator Certification Program, where she served as the Complaints Coordinator for the Water Quality Division. She also spent nine years in ODEQ’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), primarily conducting environmental reviews.
Andy holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management from Northeastern State University. She lives in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Communities Unlimited, Inc. is the southern regional affiliate of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc. (RCAP). CU serves Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.