19366_Authority_August

14 The Authority │ August By Melissa Komar, Client Development Manager, HRG I joined PMAA and took on a leadership role in Region 6 almost immediately after becoming Executive Director of the City of Johnstown Redevelopment Authority. The relationships I have made through PMAA have benefited me greatly. Prior to joining the redevelopment authority, I worked in local government at the City of Johnstown as the GIS Coordinator, Land Management Coordinator, Assistant City Manager, and interim City Manager. I knew a lot about Johnstown, and I had a good understanding of governmental oversight and planning, but I didn’t have a strong network of connections in the water and wastewater industry. PMAA provided that. Through my involvement with PMAA, I’ve built relationships with other authority leaders, consultants, and vendors, who have helped me navigate a wide variety of challenges. When drafting a resolution or evaluating a new fee structure, other authority leaders I knew through PMAA generously shared their best practices. When procuring new services or products, I talked to vendors and consultants I knew through PMAA to get a better understanding of my needs and what products or services were the best match. This helped me enter negotiations with knowledge and confidence. Online research is an important part of the procurement process these days, but the human element is still essential. The friends and colleagues I’ve met through PMAA provide added context to the data based on their personal, lived experience. When making a million-dollar decision, I want to rely on the insights of someone I truly trust, and I trust the leaders I’ve met through PMAA. Our relationships aren’t tied to a transaction; they were built naturally, over time. Initial interactions at regional meetings evolved into coffee chats and lunch whenever I’m in the area. We have a history and a genuine rapport. These are people I’m certain would take my call anytime, day or night, and would never let me down. Trust like that is particularly important when navigating complex and unfamiliar challenges. During my time as Executive Director, I received funding from a local foundation to relocate a fire training facility, but the site did not have water access. We had to tap into a Cambria-Somerset Authority water line and install a new, large- scale line on a small budget. It was a bit intimidating and there was a lot to manage, but I never worried about the materials purchased because I knew the pipe supplier well through PMAA. I trusted she would be reliable and responsive to our needs, and she was. Working with her provided real peace of mind as we navigated a potentially tough project to a positive end result. Through my involvement with PMAA, I’ve built relationships with other authority leaders, consultants, and vendors, who have helped me navigate a wide variety of challenges. Different Role, Same Mission