Beneath the Surface
Welcome to Beneath the Surface, an oral history project of the Tarrant Regional Water District. This is an opportunity for us to speak with long-term employees and share their stories with you. It’s a chance to learn about the projects they were involved with and how they helped turn ideas into the infrastructure and/or programs that are making a difference in the lives of the millions of people we serve today.
By sharing the knowledge and wisdom these employees have gained over the decades, we hope to honor their perseverance and legacy. There was no roadmap for many of the projects they worked on. Having an idea is one thing. But, figuring out how to bring it to life takes a whole other level of effort. A combination of knowledge, expertise, teamwork, and a willingness to try something new or different.
Through their leadership, determination, and accomplishments, TRWD has emerged as a leader in the water industry. These men and women helped blaze a trail and set us on a course for success. And for that, we are grateful. So, let’s dive beneath the surface and listen to the stories they have to share…
Darrel Andrews
(June 1985 – present)
He started out as an oil and gas man. Hired to identify oil and gas wells on what’s now the bottom of Richland-Chambers Reservoir. His main job was to find the wells to make sure they were sufficiently plugged. Today, he’s the Director of the Environmental Services Division. A department that was non-existent when he started in 1985. Let’s hear his story.
David Marshall
(November 1988 – November 2023)
When it comes to finding his destiny, David didn’t take shortcuts. His journey out of college took him into the field of forestry, working as a mechanic, then as a water quality technician in New Mexico, where he got his first engineering degree. After moving to Texas, he started working for Alan Plummer Associates, before transitioning to TRWD in water quality. His job responsibilities only grew from there to the point where he was asked to build an engineering department. Let’s listen to his story…
Marty Leonard
Former Board Member
(May 2006 – April 2023)
Let’s take a detour and talk with Marty Leonard, former TRWD Board Member who served 17 years on the board before moving on. Born and raised in the Fort Worth, Marty has spent much of her adult life making this community a better place to live. During her tenure on the board, she helped guide TRWD’s stewardship and sustainability initiatives. And her influence is undeniable. Let’s listen in…
Wesley Cleveland
(October 1991 – October 2018)
Eddie Weaver
(June 1974 – present)
Wesley stumbled into getting hired at the Water District after passing his resume on to former General Manager, Jim Oliver. He was just asking Jim to look it over; give him some feedback. Turns out, the feedback was maybe we could use someone with a background in construction management to help manage a few projects. And that’s how Wesley’s career at TRWD began. Some of the projects he oversaw included the Benbrook Pipeline, the Eagle Mountain Connection, pump station expansions. And ultimately the Integrated Pipeline Project (IPL).
Eddie started his career at the Water District as someone looking for a job out of high school. His first day started out picking up trash on the floodway and ended up in the welding shop. From there he worked up to construction inspection, construction management, pipeline operations and maintenance, systems automation, and finally engineering. When Eddie was starting out, he asked Harold Johnson, water systems director, what he wanted him to do. Harold’s response was, “Well, you do anything you’re big enough to do, but if the job gets screwed up, you’re fired.” Fifty years later, Eddie is the IPL Program Manager, coordinating the construction of the joint water supply project between TRWD and Dallas Water Utilities.
The career paths of Wesley and Eddie intersected on many occasions. Along the way, they learned to work as a team. Each bringing a different set of skills that complimented one another. And that’s why we gathered them both together for this episode. Here we go…
Bucky Butler
(January 1984 – present)
His given name is Buckley, but we all know him as Bucky. For much of his young life, his backyard oasis was Cedar Creek Lake. After growing up, going to college, and getting a degree in biology and business administration, his backyard remains Cedar Creek Lake. That’s where he started his career at TRWD as Assistant Lake Superintendent. And it’s where he still works, now as the Eastern Reservoir Manager. Bucky started with an eagerness to learn all he could about the jobs employees were doing around the lake from mowing to pipeline repairs. Here’s his story…
