Ken Waugh

In the spring of 1984, some 350 Riverdale High School students performed the turning of the tassel to signify their readiness to embark upon the journey into adulthood. Some students were still talking about Michael Jackson’s hair catching fire during filming of a Pepsi commercial or what to do during summer, while others, like Ken Waugh, began thinking about what the future had in store.

For Ken Waugh, that next step was to jump into the workforce. In October of 1984, he began his career at East County Water Control District (ECWCD) as a weed harvester and 25 years later he is the district’s field superintendent-a position which oversees 28 employees, manages daily field operations, and performs the district’s GIS mapping needs.

Waugh’s 25-year tenure has transformed him into a jack-of-all-trades as his timeline at the district also includes experiences such as a water level monitoring technician, aquatic herbicide sprayer, and heavy equipment operator.

With his experience in aquatic herbicides, Waugh moved into the role of Aquatic Supervisor, in 1992, when the District began a water monitoring system. In 1994, he began working with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Science (UF IFAS) to pioneer a way to slow the growth of grass using a chemical mowing technique.

Waugh said he has always been thirsty for knowledge and would take on new responsibilities to grow and develop within his role at the district.

In 1999, the District office was split into two departments and Waugh became supervisor of plant control and shortly began facility reviews of the District’s structures and culverts. In 2000, he was awarded the honor of storm water field tech of the year by the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association.

“Ken is a great asset to the District and truly enjoys what he does,” said Dave Lindsay, district manager. “He has had the fortune of seeing the District grow and change over the years.”

“The morale at the District is great, which makes it easier to achieve our goals,” said Waugh. “It’s a great feeling coming to work every day knowing I have a such a great support staff in the field.”

Waugh, a Canadian transplant, has been a resident of the area for 28 years. When he isn’t at the District, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. Waugh also has a passion for playing and collecting old violins and spends his free time making custom wood cabinets and furniture using a variety of woods.

Ulakovic is an employee of the ECWCD. – Ed.