1. Resume
Karen Harr, P.E., AWAM, ENV SP
Objective: Utilize extensive water and wastewater utility experience for environmental protection and
enhancement.
Experience: Chief of Condition Assessment for HRSD, 2015 – Present
 Senior level position responsible for developing new and enhancing ongoing condition
assessment programs to support Asset Management Division
 Active participant in the development and implementation of an Asset Management Plan
 Utilizes EnvisionTM
rating system to rank Capital Improvement Projects
 Manages and coordinate all HRSD condition assessment efforts, including EPA Consent
Order required condition assessment programs for compliance and investment optimization
Chief of Interceptor Operations South Shore for HRSD, 2008 – 2015
 Senior level position with overall responsibility for short and long term development planning,
operations, and maintenance of the Interceptor systems serving south Hampton Roads
 Manages a division of 60 employees operating and maintaining 275 mile of force mains, 23
miles of gravity systems, and 51 pumping facilities
 Manages an annual budget of $7,000,000
 Recommends and reviews design and construction of planned 10-year Capital Improvements
over $250 million
 Implements programs and procedures to meet requirements of the 2010 EPA Consent Order
Chief of Water Reuse for HRSD, 2005 – 2008
 Senior level position responsible for development and implementation of water reuse program
 Promote and market water reuse to reduce discharge of treatment plant effluent, reduce
demand for limited potable water resources, support regional economic development, and
provide lower cost alternative water resources for non-potable water needs
 Manage and coordinate all HRSD water reuse efforts
 Created Water Reuse Policy and Development Plan to guide water reuse development
 Provide HRSD management technical and policy recommendations on water reuse issues
 Key participant on the Technical Advisory Committee for development of the Virginia Water
Reclamation and Reuse Regulation
 Participated in the development and implementation of the Dam Neck naval reuse project,
development of ABTP Water Reclamation Facility design for reclaimed water use by Navy
Station Norfolk, and development of a feasibility study for Jefferson Labs
Plant Manager for HRSD, 1987-1997, 2002-2005
 Plant Manager for the Nansemond, Pinner’s Point, Lambert’s Point, VIP, and Chesapeake-
Elizabeth Treatment Plants
 Overall responsibility for daily operation and maintenance of the treatment facility, budgeting,
safety, regulatory compliance, and optimization
 Oversaw operation of the Chesapeake Elizabeth Plant during $34,000 Improvements project
and the VIP Plant during $60,000,000 upgrade
 Instrumental in developing sequencing, debugging, and process optimization during major
construction upgrades
 Oversaw takeover and initial operation of the Pinner’s Point Plant from the City of Portsmouth
 Instrumental in developing the operator routine, sampling, documentation, and training for the
first nutrient removal implementation at the VIP Plant
Water Resource Administrator for the City of Chesapeake, 1997- 2002
 Senior level position with overall responsibility for potable water production and delivery
 Managed an annual budget of $14,000,000
 Oversaw the laboratory, permits, water storage facilities, solids disposal facility, and daily
operation and maintenance of the treatment facility
 Responsible for permit compliance for water, groundwater, wastewater discharge, and air
 Oversaw an $80,000,000 upgrade to the most complex water treatment facility nationally

2.  Trained personnel on complex unit processes and distributed control system automation
Education/ Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Training: Masters level course work in Environmental Engineering, Old Dominion University
Kenan-Flagler Business School Leadership Center, University of North Carolina, 2011
Technical Competencies:
 Knowledge of Asset Management and Condition Assessment principles and practices
 Working knowledge of automation technologies and hydraulic modeling
 Effectively solves complex process and equipment problems through cooperative effort with
internal and external resources, i.e. ID fan design, RO membrane deterioration
 Instrumental in improving the CE Plant Improvement design, specifically odor control
programming
 Optimizes processes for chemical costs, i.e. increase blowers to minimize chemical use
 Identified water system bottlenecks, which led to improvements in the distribution system
 Optimized chemical feed systems, which resulted in $300,000 annual savings
 Worked with regulators on solutions for noncompliance issues with bioassays and sulfate
migration at the solids disposal site
 Improved pay structure for City of Chesapeake plant operators
 Instrumental in identification/resolution of phosphorus inhibition at the VIP Plant
 Modified pumping systems to save $400,000 annually
Leadership Competencies:
 Budgets for needed financial resources and operates within budget constraints, with minimal
financial emergencies
 Recommends and implements needed organizational changes, including 4 day work week
 Implemented an annual employee review based on the HRSD values to provide each
employee feedback on their performance and recognition of their contributions
 Informally recognizes employees for their performance and contribution
 Routinely includes employees in decisions on changes to work methods, repairs,
replacements, improvements, process changes, and budget planning; which insures win-win
solutions and evaluation of all potential issues
 Provides an environment that fosters creative ideas and solutions
 Supports decision making at the lowest level in the organization
 Develops employee skills though delegation
 Supports all policies and decisions of senior management
 Recognized for personal integrity
 Works with the best interest of personnel and the future of the organization in mind
 Maintains interest in and respect for others, fostering an environment of respect and trust
 Proactively addresses performance issues with honesty and fairness
 Experienced public speaker through plant tours, civic leagues, city and local news interviews,
professional conferences, and legal depositions
 Manages construction chaos in a calm and logical manner, utilizing flexibility and creativity
 Effectively works with diverse groups of people
Licensing: Registered Professional Engineer, Virginia
Class I Licensed Wastewater Operator, Virginia
Class I Licensed Waterworks Operator, Virginia
Certifications: Associate Water Asset Manager (AWAM), 2015
IS EnvisionTM
Sustainability Professional (ENV SP), 2015
Professional Member of the WEF (Water Environment Federation) and Water Reuse Committee
Activities: Member of the VWEA and Water Reuse Committee and Education Committee
Member of the AWWA (American Waterworks Association)and participated in QualServe
Participated in an AWWA Research Project, “Evaluation of MIEX Process Impacts on Treated
Water Quality for a Range of Raw Water Supplies”, 2001 – 2003
Member of WERF Trace Organics Research Challenge
Project Manager for the Franklin Southampton County Wastewater Treatment Plant Evaluations
Initiator and Vice President of Education for HRSD Speak Easy Toastmaster Club, 2006
Apprenticeship Instructor for Treatment Plant Math and Wastewater Treatment, 2002-2005
Apprenticeship Instructor for Collection System Theory, 2012 - Present