495 Growing Through Change in Water Treatment with Mark Lewis, Part 1 - Scaling UP! H2O | Lyssna här

Change is unavoidable, but uncertainty does not have to control how water treatment professionals respond to it. Mark Lewis returns to share what he learned when Southeastern Laboratories was acquired by CRB Water—and how employees can remain valuable, informed, and open to opportunity during a business transition.

Navigating an Acquisition from the Employee's Perspective

Southeastern Laboratories began exploring a buyer because its owners wanted to protect the company and approximately 30 employees. When CRB Water entered the picture, employees naturally wondered what would change and how those decisions would affect their careers.

Mark explains how CRB Water's "do no harm" approach helped employees navigate the transition. Although changes to compensation, insurance, expenses, and operating practices required adjustment, the acquisition also brought additional resources and access to larger corporate accounts that may not have been available through a smaller organization.

His practical advice is direct: ask questions, understand the business, examine the available data, and keep an open mind. A change in ownership can create discomfort, but it may also expand what employees and their territories can accomplish.

Becoming an Asset Before Change Arrives

Professionals cannot always control when a company is sold, but they can control the value they bring to the organization. Mark encourages water treaters to strengthen their technical knowledge, return from training with something useful, understand how the business operates, and close gaps in their performance.

That mindset makes an employee valuable to both the current organization and any future owner. It also replaces fear with preparation. Instead of waiting for uncertainty to pass, professionals can become better account managers, technical resources, and business contributors.

Leadership Through Service and Preparation

Mark also reflects on his years of service with the Association of Water Technologies, including committee leadership, board service, and his term as AWT president. Effective association leadership, he explains, requires preparation, sound judgment, and a willingness to do the work behind every meeting and decision.

His receipt of the Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award reinforces another leadership lesson: professional success is rarely built alone. Mark credits the people who taught, challenged, and trusted him throughout his career.

The conversation closes with lessons from rebuilding AWT's Fundamentals and Applications training. Strong instruction begins with a sound foundation, a clear explanation of why, and the confidence to speak from experience rather than simply read from a slide.

Growing through change requires curiosity, preparation, and trust in the value you continue building. Whether facing an acquisition, serving an association, or teaching the next generation, professionals move forward by staying open, asking better questions, and investing in others.

Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!

Timestamps

02:20 — Trace reflects on the AWT Convention and how simple conversation starters helped water professionals expand their networks.

04:00 — The Hang on October 1 offers a free opportunity to reconnect with convention contacts and continue building industry relationships.

05:00 — Trace challenges water treaters to break out of routine by changing how they observe, test, and approach customer systems.

07:30 — The AWT Technical Training Seminar, scheduled for November 11–14 in Frisco, Texas, gives professionals another opportunity to strengthen their technical foundation.

09:30 — Industrial Water Week runs October 5–9 with daily themes and opportunities to celebrate the profession with teams and customers.

12:10 — Returning guest Mark Lewis explains that Southeastern Laboratories was acquired by CRB Water, beginning a new professional chapter.

13:10 — Trace and Mark revisit the AWT connection that developed into more than 20 years of friendship and professional collaboration.

17:30 — Mark outlines why Southeastern Laboratories' owners began researching a buyer and how employees initially responded to the uncertainty.

18:50 — CRB Water's "do no harm" approach helped employees understand that the acquisition was intended to support people and grow the business.

20:10 — Mark describes how the larger organization opened access to corporate accounts and resources unavailable to a smaller company.

22:30 — Mark explains why an acquiring company values the customer base and the representatives who maintain those relationships.

25:40 — Trace and Mark discuss how employees can prepare for ownership changes even when leadership has not shared the full plan.

28:00 — Mark reflects on his previous AWT roles and explains why trust, service, and a willingness to contribute led to greater responsibility.

31:30 — Board service requires a serious time commitment, preparation, and a willingness to make decisions affecting AWT's future.

35:20 — Mark encourages professionals to begin serving AWT through committee involvement and grow their understanding of the association.

37:00 — Mark reflects on receiving the Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award after first setting that goal in 1998.

41:00 — Trace and Mark revisit the rebuilding of AWT's Fundamentals and Applications class and the importance of teaching from a strong foundation.

45:00 — Mark explains why presenters create stronger connections when they speak from knowledge and experience instead of reading their slides.

Quotes

"Ask questions and understand that at the end of the day, if the company is successful and you're part of that success, you're going to be successful."

"Don't be scared of change. Don't be scared of doing things a little different ways."

"To be the best Mark that I can be will make me valuable to my current company as well as the next company that I work for."

"Take everything life has to offer and have fun with it."

"Always ask the why. If someone tells you something, ask them why."

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