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Behind the Scenes, Employee Spotlights

Meet the 2026 Utility Tech I Apprentices: Inside the Apprenticeship

What happens after you’re accepted into the program?

While each apprentice arrived at Charlotte Water from a different path, they now share a common experience: structured training, hands-on preparation, and a culture built on accountability and teamwork. The Utility Tech I Apprenticeship blends technical instruction with personal development, ensuring participants are prepared not only for the work itself but also for long-term growth within the organization.

In this second installment of our three-part series, we take a closer look at what the apprenticeship experience feels like from the inside.

Headshot of DJ who has short curly dark hair and a full beard, smiling at the camera, wearing a tan sweater over a white collared shirt, against a blue blurred background.

DJ Hobbs

For DJ, the apprenticeship represents more than a career transition. Coming from a background in armed security and customer service, he was ready to move from contract work into something more stable and long-term. While new to water and wastewater, he quickly found that the program offered something he had not experienced before.

Each day begins at 7:30 a.m., often with a team-building activity that helps the group connect before diving into lessons. From emotional awareness and conflict resolution to preparing for life as a full-time employee, the training focuses on more than technical skills.

“They really care about your mental well-being,” DJ said. “They’re preparing you for real life.”

What surprised him most was the culture. After his son’s birth, his cohort signed a card and celebrated with him. “It feels like I have another family,” he shared.

Headshot of J'Mani who has short black hair and glasses, wearing a white dress shirt and light gray vest, looking at the camera with a neutral expression, against a blue blurred background.

J’Mani Moore

J’Mani entered the apprenticeship with prior experience in water and wastewater operations, having worked in facility maintenance for lift stations and treatment plants in Gaston County. For him, joining Charlotte Water was a step deeper into a field he already enjoyed.

While the technical training is valuable, J’Mani said the emphasis on interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence has stood out the most.

“I’m kind of in a rebranding phase of my life,” he shared. “Refining my attitude and emotional intelligence is something I can use every day.”

Even with a 50-minute commute and balancing family responsibilities, he views the structured training as an investment in both his career and personal growth.

Headshot of Akeem who has short dark hair and trimmed facial hair, wearing a black polo shirt, looking at the camera with a slight smile, against a blue blurred background.

Akeem Flowers

Akeem joined the program with experience in warehouse management, carpentry, and appliance installation. While new to water and wastewater, he quickly recognized that the apprenticeship offers more than technical instruction.

For Akeem, learning professionalism and workplace communication has been especially impactful. “Now coming in here and learning how I should be able to talk to coworkers, bosses, managers… it makes me feel more prepared,” he said.

He was also surprised by the level of organizational support. From great benefits to leadership that encourages internal mobility and career pathways, Akeem said the program feels like an opportunity to grow within a company that invests in its people.

Headshot of Darrell who has glasses and a full beard wearing a green and blue plaid button-down shirt, standing in front of a textured blue background with soft white accents.

Darrell Akrie

Darrell entered the apprenticeship with prior experience in sewer and water operations, having worked in both York County and with Charlotte Water. For him, the program represents continued growth within a field he already knows well.

He describes each day as an opportunity to remain open-minded and learn new systems as operations evolve. Operator training has been especially meaningful, including hands-on exposure to equipment such as front loaders and excavators.

Darrell has been impressed by the consistency of communication and teamwork throughout the program. Even as they adapt to new digital tools and technologies, he and his cohort rely on one another through collaboration and shared support.

For Darrell, completing the apprenticeship means unlocking new possibilities and continuing to build a career rooted in service and growth.

Group of apprentices wearing bright orange safety jackets and hard hats posing together inside a water treatment plant, standing in front of large blue machinery and yellow metal stairs.
Apprentices inside a Water Treatment Plant

While each apprentice’s experience is unique, a common theme continues to emerge: the Utility Tech I Apprenticeship is not simply job training. It is preparation for a sustainable career, built on technical skills, personal development, and a strong team foundation.

In our final installment, we will explore what comes next for these apprentices. From long-term goals to the future, they hope to build within Charlotte Water.

Behind the Scenes, Employee Spotlights

Meet the 2026 Utility Tech I Apprentices: How They Got Here

Behind every apprenticeship is a story.

Charlotte Water’s Utility Tech I Apprenticeship brings together individuals from different industries, experiences, and stages of life, all united by a shared goal: building a meaningful, long-term career in public service. This year’s cohort did not follow one single path to get here. Some pivoted from different industries. Some applied more than once. Others are continuing family legacies or stepping into a completely new trade.

In this first installment of our three-part series, we are highlighting how four apprentices found their way to Charlotte Water and what motivated them to take that next step.

A headshot picture of Ten, an apprentice, smiling. She has curly blonde hair and wears clear framed glasses. She's wearing a yellow sweater with a white collar.

Teneia “Ten” Howie

Teneia, who goes by Ten, grew up in Monroe, North Carolina, and spent the past three years working part-time at American Airlines, while searching for a long-term career path. Even though she absolutely loved her position at American Airlines, she felt ready for something different. This led to her enrollment at Goodwill’s trade school program, where she earned certifications and received career placement support.

With support from her trade school, Ten refined her resume and successfully secured a spot in the apprenticeship on her second application.

“It’s been a process,” she shared, reflecting on her journey. But a process well worth the hard work and effort she’s put in.

Although new to the water and wastewater field, Ten embraced the apprenticeship as a fresh start and an opportunity to grow in a stable, hands-on career.

A headshot picture of Shakir, smiling and wearing a blue polo shirt.

Shakir Cleveland

Shakir Cleveland brings decades of hands-on experience to the program. He began working hands on jobs at 17, spending years in construction and outdoor labor roles. Through his family’s plumbing business, he also gained early exposure to working with tools and trade work.

While he excelled in office-based customer service and mortgage roles, even earning high-performance recognition, he realized something important about himself: he did not thrive behind a desk.

“I just did not like being stuck in an office setting,” he said.

After exploring different paths, Shakir found that working outdoors felt like where he belonged. The Utility Tech I Apprenticeship offered the structure, teamwork, and long-term career opportunity he had been searching for.

A headshot picture of William, he has thin framed glasses and a tan button up shirt.

William Devizia

William Devizia was born in Korea and raised in Charlotte, bringing extensive utilities experience to the apprenticeship. Before joining Charlotte Water, he worked with Honeywell and later contracted with Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy. In those roles, he helped transition traditional AMR meters to AMI “smart” meters, enabling remote readings and increased efficiency.

After consistently performing well in his previous roles, William was hired full-time and continued building his technical expertise. Although new specifically to water and wastewater operations, he saw the Utility Tech I Apprenticeship as a natural next step in his utilities career.

For William, the program represents continued growth and long-term opportunity within the industry.

A headshot picture of Emiliano, he's smiling and wearing a grey shirt.

Emiliano Guatemala

At just 20 years old, Emiliano is already focused on building stability for his family. A father of two, he previously worked in HVAC installation, gaining hands-on experience in physically demanding environments.

Emiliano was drawn to the apprenticeship for its long-term benefits and advancement opportunities. He also follows in his father’s footsteps, who has worked at Charlotte Water for several years.

“I love it,” he said, describing the program so far. “And now I know my kids are going to be set.”

For Emiliano, an apprenticeship is more than a job. It is a foundation for growth, both professionally and personally.

A picture from behind of a couple of the apprentices on a work site, wearing their PPE. The sun is shining on a clear day.
Apprentices touring a Water Plant

These four apprentices represent just a portion of this year’s Utility Tech I cohort, but their journeys highlight the diverse paths that lead to public service careers at Charlotte Water.

In Part Two of this series, we will take a closer look at what it is really like to be a Utility Tech I apprentice, from day-to-day training to the skills they are developing along the way.

Behind the Scenes, Employee Spotlights

Meet Rose: An Intern for the Legal Team

This week, we’re highlighting another outstanding Legal Intern at Charlotte Water. I got to have a great conversation with Rose Soltani, who has spent her summer exploring how municipal law plays a direct role in our everyday lives. Her experience has taken her from legal research and compliance review to special tours with the City Attorney’s Office, all while staying rooted in her hometown.

Q1: What school do you go to and what do you study?

Originally from Charlotte, Rose is a rising second-year law student at American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. Before law school, she earned her undergraduate degree with a major in Business Administration and a Marketing concentration from NC State. When discussing being in Charlotte again for the internship, Rose commented, “I love Charlotte, and being able to give back to the community while doing an internship is amazing.”

Rose, Ben, and Beatriz standing in a large pipe model that is at least double their height.
Rose Soltani, Benjamin Vitenson, and Beatriz Romero Santiago at the Catawba River Pump Station
Q2: What has surprised you the most?

One of Rose’s biggest takeaways is realizing how much happens at the local level. “People usually think about the federal government when they think about law,” she shared, “but local government decisions are the ones that impact people’s daily lives the most. I didn’t realize how much goes into municipal law until I saw it up close.” She also added that this experience has shown her that she could work in the public sector right out of law school or later in her career.

Rose, Beatriz, and Connor in the car taking a selfie wearing PPE.
Q3: Do you have any mentors or coworkers who have helped shape your experience?

Rose has enjoyed every one of her coworkers, always taking pictures of their adventures and checking in on each other. She credits her colleague Ann Allen with making her experience especially impactful, stating, “Ann has been the best mentor; she has done private sector work in the past, and it’s great to see her perspective shifting to the public sector. She’s smart, kind, and really knows what she’s doing.”

Rose and Beatriz taking a selfie while at the stream restoration tour, they're standing next to a stream infographic.
Rose and Beatriz at the stream restoration tour
Q4: What has been your favorite Summer Intern Exploration activity so far?

One of Rose’s favorite activities has been touring the Stowe Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility, a massive project currently under construction. “Working in legal, we’ve heard a lot about Stowe behind the scenes, so it was cool to see it in action,” she said. She also loved touring the courthouse with the City Attorney’s Office, where she got a firsthand look at the legal process and even observed a plea deal.

As she heads into her second year of law school, Rose is taking with her a deeper understanding and appreciation of local government’s role in our everyday life, as well as a newfound interest in public sector work. In the future, whether her path leads to business law, real estate, or something entirely unexpected, one thing is clear: she’s leaving this summer with valuable experience, meaningful connections, and a strong connection to the city she calls home!

Behind the Scenes, Employee Spotlights

Meet Beatriz: An Intern for the Legal Team

So far, you’ve met interns from GIS and the Planning department. Let’s go behind the scenes and learn about someone from the team who ensures Charlotte Water operates within legal frameworks and navigates complex regulatory requirements. Today, I talked with Beatriz Romero Santiago, a law student from Houston, Texas, who’s gaining hands-on legal experience through her internship with Charlotte Water.

Q1: What school do you go to and what do you study?

Beatriz is pursuing her Juris Doctor at Regent University after earning her Economics and International Affairs undergraduate degree from Gordon College in Massachusetts. “I’ve been really lucky to have amazing professors at all of my schools,” she shared. Her academic background makes her a great candidate for interning at Charlotte Water due to her strong foundation in policy and law.

Beatriz and her team standing outside of 131 Main Restaurant
Beatriz and her team outside of 131 Main Restaurant
Q2: What kind of projects have you worked on during your internship?

During her internship, Beatriz has contributed to writing memos for various cases, assisted with legal research, and even participated in department meetings to help troubleshoot real-world issues. Her team also reviews contracts before they’re signed to ensure they’re up to par. “We get called in when there’s a problem,” she explained. From there, she will help by researching and working with her team to determine the best way forward.  

Q3: What’s something you didn’t expect to learn?

One thing that stood out to Beatriz during her time at Charlotte Water was the sheer scale and complexity of the utility. “I didn’t know how big a water department could be or how it works as a business, and especially how they’re still expanding while helping out smaller cities around us,” she says. She found it particularly interesting to learn how public utilities operate compared to private sector businesses.

Beatriz posing to take a photo with Tappy, the Charlotte Water Mascot that is a water drop.
Beatriz and Tappy at an internship orientation
Q4: How do you see this internship helping you in your future career?

Beatriz says the hands-on nature of the internship has been a valuable contrast to the theory-heavy approach of law school. “In school, we don’t really see how cases get filed or how lawyers interact with clients and other attorneys,” she noted. “This gave me a glimpse into how everything works.” The experience has helped solidify her goal of becoming a lawyer, though she’s still exploring whether that path will lead her to immigration law or estate planning.

From reviewing contracts to exploring behind-the-scenes legal processes, Beatriz’s summer at Charlotte Water has been both eye-opening and inspiring. Her experience shows how internships can bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, which benefits both the intern and the organization. With her thoughtful approach and strong academic background, there’s no doubt she’ll make a meaningful impact, wherever her law degree takes her!