Johnson County Wastewater is excited to announce that Tami Lorenzen has been selected as the new Chief Engineer for the utility. The current Chief Engineer, Aaron Witt, is retiring after 26 years of exemplary service. Lorenzen will step into this role on Monday, Nov. 24.

“I am honored to be chosen for this critical leadership position at Johnson County Wastewater,” said Lorenzen. “I look forward to supporting the engineering division across all aspects of our work and maintaining the wonderful culture that we have at JCW.”

Lorenzen currently serves as the Assistant Chief Engineer for Integrated Planning for JCW. She is also temporarily serving as Interim Director of Public Works and County Engineer. At JCW she has been responsible for facilitating its comprehensive 25-year capital improvement plan to meet regulatory requirements, reinvest in existing assets and support growth in the County. She also managed the $334 million Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project.

“Tami was the perfect person to succeed Aaron as Chief Engineer,” said JCW General Manager Susan Pekarek. “Aaron is one of the most impactful, knowledgeable, and thoughtful leaders in our utility’s history, and Tami will continue his legacy of excellence while bringing her own unique skills and boundless abilities to the role. She is a fantastic leader, diligent public steward and brilliant engineer, and I am confident she will excel as the leader of our engineering division.”

Prior to joining the County, Lorenzen worked 17 years in private engineering consulting. She received her B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and her M.S. degree in Civil Engineering, both from Kansas State University. She has 29 years of experience in the wastewater industry and is a licensed professional engineer in Kansas.

“Our engineering division embraces the principles of a high performing organization by working as a team to develop solutions that improve the service we provide,” said Lorenzen. “I am eager to utilize that philosophy to identify opportunities for enhanced collaboration within JCW and with other County departments. Building on the solid foundation I am inheriting from Aaron, I look forward to working with our team as we grow and implement strategic initiatives for the department and Johnson County Government.”

About Johnson County Wastewater

Johnson County Wastewater provides sanitary sewer services to more than 500,000 people in Johnson County, Kansas. Its work protects the rivers, lakes and streams while renewing life’s essential resource.

Learn more about Johnson County Wastewater.