2011 Leader Under 40: Nina Andgren, 36

Maintenance Engineer, Upper Occoquan Service Authority (UOSA)

By Plant Engineering Staff December 12, 2011

Nina Andgren, 36

Maintenance Engineer, Upper Occoquan Service Authority (UOSA)

Years at UOSA: 5.5

Supervisor: Bob Forgione

Education: MS Civil Engineering, Lund Institute of Technology (Sweden)

Nina’s contributions: "One of the most fascinating things about working with maintenance in the water reclamation industry is the task diversity. In a normal day I work with everything from writing bid documents to managing equipment installation projects. Shortly after I started at UOSA I revived the company’s asset management program after a few years of slow progress. We have now implemented criticality and cost elements into our computerized maintenance management system, enabling us to benchmark our maintenance efforts and make that essential information easily available to our staff when they write work orders. With the asset management tools available, we can start improving equipment reliability even more. I’ve also worked extensively on implementing a career ladder for our maintenance staff, making it possible for them to take ownership of their own careers and advance to higher pay-grades and more responsibility."

Why a career in manufacturing? "Clean water is essential to all living beings. Manufacturing clean (almost drinking water quality) water from health-hazardous sewage is a really fascinating business. The need for clean water will never go away, and at the end of the day you feel you have accomplished something good. That feeling of accomplishment is the main reason I went into this business."

View the complete list of the 2011 Leaders Under 40.