Episode 79

Steve Cavanaugh and Drew Blackwell

Steve Cavanaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cavanaugh & Associates, P.A.

When it comes to engineering, Steve Cavanaugh believes building a solid, firm foundation is critical to the long-term success of both people and infrastructures. A creative visionary with an unshakeable dedication to environmental stewardship and preservation, Steve combines the principles of an entrepreneur and innovator, with those of faithful servant to others. 

“The preservation of our natural resources is critical for future generations, whether in North Carolina or elsewhere in the world. At Cavanaugh, we are not just engineers simply building for the sake of growth. We are stewards of innovation—for our children and the children of the world,” says Steve. “Whether it’s finding a better way to build massive water distribution systems, or simply finding a leak in a town’s water line, it’s our privilege, not just a job.” 

From its founding in 1995, to today’s full-service engineering, surveying and utilities service company with headquarters in Winston-Salem and full service offices in Asheville and Wilmington, Cavanaugh & Associates, P.A. is a company where everyone looks to achieve the highest possible standards and solutions.

Specialties: NC State Water Infrastructure Commission, Water Audit Taskforce Chair, Asset Management Taskforce Chair, US Congressional assistant for Superfund Reauthorization Review , Program Manager for NC Rural Economic Center’s Water 2030 O&M Task Force 

Experience includes: AWWA Water Audit and Leak Detection, dams, and animal waste management systems

Drew Blackwell, Director of Water Efficiency at Cavanaugh & Associates, P.A.

With more than 18 years experience in water resource management, Drew’s focus and passion continues to grow in helping water utilities save water and reduce costs through water loss control programs. During this time, Drew has had the opportunity to work one-on-one with utilities to design their non-revenue water management programs to administering state and regional water loss control training and technical assistance programs based on the American Water Works Association (AWWA) M36 methodology. 

Drew has been fortunate to work with more than 15 states and provinces; with an appreciation that just like every water system is different, so are the drivers, state policies, and requirements where they are located.

Drew is the Secretary of the AWWA Water Loss Control Committee.