Kathryn Gies, P.E.
West Yost, Engineering Manager, CWEA President
I am extremely proud of the work I do. It is about more than technical problem-solving; it’s about partnering with communities to create sustainable, forward-thinking, and resilient solutions for their wastewater treatment infrastructure. This means I must develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges each community faces, prepare a strategy for navigating complex regulatory requirements, and ultimately design systems that will rise to the challenge of protecting public health and the environment for decades to come.
Throughout my career, CWEA has been an essential partner in the work I do at West Yost for the communities I serve. Membership has given me access to top-tier training that has been invaluable in keeping me informed about emerging technologies, evolving regulations, and best practices in wastewater management. CWEA has also given me a network of knowledgeable peers and leadership opportunities that have enhanced both my technical expertise and my ability to serve my clients.
From the CWEA Annual Conference to specialized seminars on topics like treatment plant optimization, biosolids management, and nutrient removal, I’ve gained insights I can apply directly to projects. I’ve often walked away from a CWEA session with a fresh idea or approach—something that ultimately helped one of the communities I work with to save money, improve efficiency, or extend the lifespan of their infrastructure.
And the best parts of my CWEA membership are the community it creates. I work with a wide variety of agencies, contractors, and vendors —and CWEA gives me the chance to connect with them outside of project engagements. I’ve developed strong relationships with operators, lab analysts, and other engineers who bring different perspectives to the types of challenges my projects face. What I learn through these relationships often sparks ideas that make significant impacts on my projects. And because CWEA’s network spans the entire state, I’ve been able to tap into expertise on everything from small rural treatment lagoons to large and advanced wastewater facilities. That breadth of knowledge is an incredible resource for any CWEA member.
This organization has also opened doors for me to grow as a leader—not just in my firm, but in the profession as a whole. Serving on the San Francisco Bay Section Board and then the State Board has helped me hone my ability to guide complex projects and bring stakeholders together. These experiences have improved my skills in strategic planning, public communication, and collaborative problem-solving—all critical when working with community leaders to make major infrastructure decisions. Through CWEA, I’ve learned how to advocate effectively for sustainable solutions, and I’ve gained confidence in representing both my clients’ needs and the broader goals of environmental stewardship.
For me, a CWEA membership is more than a professional affiliation—it’s a partnership that has enriched my career and strengthened the service I provide to communities. It has helped me stay current in a rapidly evolving industry, build credibility with clients, connect with a statewide network of experts, and grow as a leader. Most importantly, it has reinforced that in the world of wastewater and water quality, none of us works in isolation. By sharing knowledge, collaborating across disciplines, and supporting one another, we can design and implement solutions that will serve California communities for generations to come.
My Profile
