Authorities on Air

Latest Episodes:

Who Makes the Water That Makes the Beer? | Part 1 Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to make America's oldest brewery successful? Great beer, generations of family tradition, and a dependable supply of quality water that has helped keep the beer flowing for nearly 200 years!
In the first of a special two-part series of Authorities on Air, we visit D.G. Yuengling & Son in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, for a conversation with Jennifer Yuengling, Vice President of Operations at Yuengling, and Pat Caulfield, CEO of the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority (SCMA).
Together, we explore the history of two organizations whose roots in Schuylkill County stretch back nearly 200 years and the partnership that continues to support one of Pennsylvania's most recognizable businesses.
Along the way, we discuss:

The history of Yuengling, from its beginnings in 1829 to becoming America's oldest brewery.
How SCMA has grown and evolved to serve communities throughout Schuylkill County.
Why water quality and consistency are so important to brewing beer.
How reliable water service helped Yuengling expand its operations while maintaining its roots in Pottsville.
The relationships, communication, and occasional challenges that come with keeping the water flowing.

From historic brewery caves to stories of water main breaks and a misplaced water bill, this episode offers a fun and fascinating look at the people, history, and partnerships behind the beer.
And be sure to join us for Part 2 as the conversation continues!

D. G. Yuengling - America's Oldest Brewery

Schuylkill County Municipal Authority

PMAA Website

Who Makes the Water That Makes the Beer? | Part 2 Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

What makes a community strong? It's the people, businesses, and organizations that invest in its future, support their neighbors, and take pride in the place they call home.
In Part 2 of our special Authorities on Air series, we continue our conversation with Jennifer Yuengling, Vice President of Operations at D.G. Yuengling & Son, and Pat Caulfield, CEO of the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority (SCMA), exploring the important roles both organizations play in the communities they serve.
From supporting local programs and creating opportunities for future generations to investing in infrastructure that helps communities grow, this conversation highlights the shared commitment to Schuylkill County that connects these two organizations.
Along the way, we discuss:

How Yuengling and SCMA give back to their communities through local programs, education, and community involvement.
The history of Yuengling's brewery tours and how they have become a popular attraction for visitors from around the world.
How investments in water and wastewater infrastructure have helped bring new businesses, jobs, and economic development to Schuylkill County.
What's ahead for SCMA as it continues to improve infrastructure and expand services.
Yuengling's approach to growth, the next generation of family leadership, and the brewery's upcoming 200th anniversary.

Through personal stories, a little humor, and a shared pride in their hometown, Jennifer and Pat remind us that successful communities are built on strong relationships and a commitment to the future.
Join us as we wrap up this special two-part conversation about the people and partnerships that help keep Schuylkill County moving forward.

D. G. Yuengling - America's Oldest Brewery

Schuylkill County Municipal Authority

PMAA Website

Built on Trust: The Engineer-Authority Relationship Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to keep water and wastewater systems running safely and reliably every day? A lot of the work happens out of sight, and behind it is often a close working relationship between a municipal authority and its engineer.

In this episode of Authorities on Air, Craig and Lindsay visit Brodhead Creek Regional Authority in the Poconos to talk with Mike McCarey of Carroll Engineering Corporation and Dave Horton of Brodhead Creek Regional Authority about what makes the engineer-authority relationship work.

Together, they talk about:

What an authority engineer does and how that role supports day-to-day operations
Why communication, trust and early collaboration are so important
How operators and other authority staff help shape better projects
How authorities evaluate aging infrastructure and decide what needs attention first
The replacement of a 122-year-old water main and the benefits it will bring to the surrounding system
How planning, maintenance and infrastructure improvements support reliable service, fire protection and public safety

From GIS and condition assessments to construction projects beneath busy streets, Mike and Dave give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the planning and teamwork that help keep essential water and wastewater services working every day.

PMAA Website

Brodhead Creek Regional Authority

Carroll Engineering Corporation

Live from the PMAA Welcome Reception Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Step inside the Welcome Reception at PMAA’s 83rd Annual Conference in Bethlehem for a special episode of Authorities on Air recorded live from Wind Creek.

With the microphones open and the reception happening all around us, conference attendees stop by to share what keeps them coming back year after year, including:

The value of networking with authority professionals and industry partners
Learning from others who face similar challenges
Building lasting professional relationships and friendships
Mentoring and supporting the next generation of authority professionals
Reconnecting with friends and colleagues from across Pennsylvania
Sharing ideas, experiences, and solutions

It’s an unscripted look at the people and conversations that make the PMAA Annual Conference about much more than educational sessions. It’s about sharing experiences, solving common challenges, making connections, and being part of a community.

This episode was recorded live at PMAA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Bethlehem.

PMAA Website

Live from the PMAA Awards Banquet Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Recorded live just before the Awards Banquet at PMAA’s 83rd Annual Conference in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this special episode of Authorities on Air captures the energy, friendships and excitement of one of the conference’s most memorable evenings. Melissa Radovanic and Lindsay Hughes roll out their own version of the red carpet and invite attendees to step up to the microphones for an unscripted conversation about PMAA, the Annual Conference and the people who make both so special.

Along the way, they talk about:

The friendships and professional relationships built through PMAA
Why members continue returning to the Annual Conference year after year
The value of networking, learning and sharing ideas with other authority professionals and partners
The important work authorities perform every day for their communities
The role of communication and public engagement in helping people understand that work
Leadership transitions and encouraging the next generation to become involved
A historic PMAA moment as the presidency prepares to pass from one woman to another for the first time
And, of course, plenty of orange ties, laughs and red-carpet commentary

It’s a fun, candid look at the people behind Pennsylvania’s municipal authorities and a reminder that while the Annual Conference is about education and professional growth, it’s also about the relationships and shared experiences that bring the PMAA community together.

This episode was recorded live at PMAA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Bethlehem.

PMAA Website

Two Seats at the Same Table: How Authorities and Solicitors Work Together Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Municipal authorities make important decisions every day, and having the right professionals at the table can make all the difference.

In this episode of Authorities on Air, Sharon Purnell, Manager of Hamilton Township Municipal Authority, and Melissa Kelso of Kelso Law, share how a strong relationship between an authority and its solicitor helps support good decision-making, manage risk, and keep projects moving forward.

They discuss:

The importance of involving legal counsel early
Building trust and communication
Working through challenging issues
Supporting board decisions
Why an authority solicitor should be viewed as a partner rather than a roadblock

It’s a practical look at how collaboration between authority staff, boards, solicitors, and other professionals helps authorities better serve their communities.

PMAA Website

Hamilton Township Municipal Authority

Kelso Law

Tapping Into Customer Service at Pittsburgh Water Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

When most people think about water service, they may think about turning on the tap, paying a bill, or calling when something goes wrong. But behind every bill, every service question, and every customer interaction is a team of people working to keep essential services moving.

In this episode of Authorities on Air, Julie Mechling, Director of Customer Service at Pittsburgh Water, talks about what customer service really looks like at one of Pennsylvania’s largest municipal water authorities.

Julie shares how Pittsburgh Water supports more than 100,000 accounts, manages customer questions, helps customers understand their bills, and uses technology to improve communication and service. She also explains how tools like advanced meter reading, customer portals, leak alerts, outage notifications, and AI help staff respond more efficiently while keeping the human connection at the center of customer service.

Julie also walks through some of the most important customer-focused work happening at Pittsburgh Water, including:

Billing and meter reading
Emergency dispatch
Customer assistance programs
Lead service line replacement efforts
Leak repair and conservation programs
The role of trained customer service staff in helping residents every day

This conversation is a reminder that water service is about much more than infrastructure. It is also about people, communication, compassion, and trust. As Julie says in the episode, the water that comes out of your tap and the wastewater and stormwater systems you rely on are dependable because real people show up every day to protect and maintain them.
PMAA Website
LinkedIn
Pittsburgh Water Website

Smart Water Technology Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

When you turn on the tap, you expect clean, reliable water. Behind the scenes, today’s municipal authorities are using more than pipes and pumps to keep systems running efficiently and proactively.

In this episode of Authorities on Air, we explore what smart water technology means for communities across Pennsylvania.

Guest Melissa Rohland of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) explains how tools like smart meters, SCADA systems, and digital twins help authorities:

• Monitor systems in near real time
• Identify leaks before they become costly emergencies
• Plan capital improvements using better data
• Improve long-term reliability and performance

We also discuss how data, cloud platforms, and artificial intelligence are giving authority professionals stronger tools to protect public health, strengthen infrastructure, and serve their communities more effectively.

If you want a clear look at how innovation is shaping the future of water systems, this episode delivers practical insight without the technical jargon.

PMAA Website

HRG Website

Green Stormwater Infrastructure – City Beautiful H2O: A CRW Story Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

When it rains, most people do not think about where that water goes or what it carries with it. In this episode of Authorities on Air, we explore how green stormwater infrastructure helps communities manage rainwater in smarter, more sustainable ways.

Craig Fahnestock and PMAA President Melissa Radovanic are joined by Claire Maulhardt, Stormwater Utility Director at Capital Region Water and President of the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange. Claire shares the story behind City Beautiful H2O, a long-term effort in Harrisburg, PA that combines clean water goals with neighborhood improvements, strong partnerships, and meaningful community engagement.

In this episode, you will hear about:

What stormwater is and why it matters to water quality and local waterways
How green infrastructure captures rain where it falls instead of sending it into pipes
The role communication and trust play in building community support
Partnerships that turn vacant lots, parks, and streets into functional green spaces
Why community ownership is essential to long-term success

This episode highlights how municipal authorities, working alongside residents and partners, can protect water resources while creating healthier, more vibrant communities.

PMAA Website

Capital Region Water Website

Emergency Response: Authorities on the Front Lines Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

When a water main breaks, most people only notice when service is disrupted. What they don’t see is the rapid, coordinated response working behind the scenes to protect public health and restore service.

In this episode of Authorities on Air, we’re joined by Jeremy Horvath, Executive Director, PMAA Region 6 Director and Jeremy Stultz, Systems Supervisor, PMAA Assistant Region 6 Director from Highland Sewer & Water Authority. They share a practical, real-world look at how municipal authorities prepare for and respond to emergencies, especially water main breaks, across a large and complex service area.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What constitutes an emergency for a water authority
How water main breaks are detected and prioritized
What happens from the first call to system restoration
How crews work safely in extreme and unpredictable conditions
How authorities communicate with customers during disruptions

This conversation highlights the planning, teamwork, and commitment it takes to keep water flowing, often under challenging conditions and at all hours.

PMAA Website

Highland Sewer & Water Authority Website

Highland Sewer & Water Authority - Facebook

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