Jake Corzine, 34, wasn’t always sure the water industry was the place for him. “I was almost opposed to entering the industry in college because I didn’t think it was cool enough. I tried my hand at the tech world before I reluctantly took a job in water,” said Corzine. He said shifting to water was the best decision he ever made.
While Corzine recognizes that young people may not feel the industry is glamorous, he stressed how vital it is to every single person. “… Every person you interact with benefits from the things we do. Watching a project start at the design phase and seeing it through to a working system that benefits the public is a great feeling.”
Corizine has turned his willingness to learn into a major strength. When he joined the Cla-Val team, Corizine says he had a lot to learn about control valves and even more to learn about management. But learn he has. With the help of trainers like Cla-Val’s George Aguilar, events where he gathers learnings to take back to his team and his team giving him the space to learn and grow alongside them, he’s made a name for himself. Corzine became the youngest person in company history to be promoted to western regional sales manager, and he was recently promoted to director of sales, Americas. He created a business internship program that teaches college students over an 8-to-10-week rotation about the waterworks industry. He’s also seen his team at Cla-Val grow. “Every time they rise to a challenge and achieve their goals, I take pride in knowing I helped them behind the scenes, even if it’s just a little.”
As for where he feels the most challenged and the most rewarded, the answer is the same. “Supporting people as they need to be supported. It is easy to apply a one-size-fits-all solution to every challenge, but I handle each person and each situation individually. … I have learned that what I think is best for me or someone else may not be for the person I am dealing with, and that is okay. It forces me to see the issue through their eyes, and that has made me a better leader.”
What has you most excited about the future of this industry?
Waterworks might be slow to change sometimes, but change is coming. With an aging workforce, there are so many opportunities to bring bright new minds to our business, and I am extremely passionate about this. Technology and AI are knocking at our door, and consumers want more connectivity to their systems. All of us are trying to find ways to adapt and keep up. We can’t do it alone, we need new people, and this is going to open the door for so many to enter this field.
Have you had a mentor(s) who influenced your career development?
I have been fortunate enough to work with so many great people in the industry. On top of the foundation my dad gave me growing up, there are a few very important people who stand out. One of my first bosses, Tyler Edge, taught me the relentless pursuit of earning the customer’s business. Mark Gimson taught me to look beyond my day-to-day work and see the bigger picture. He’s shown me the value of getting involved in the industry and continuously learning about it. Ryan Pickett changed the way I approach problems to focus on solutions by identifying the root cause and to always chase improvement. My boss, John Link, has taught me the value of listening. The real understanding comes from hearing, not speaking. I am truly made up of every interaction I have ever had, but these people have made a lasting impact on me, and I owe a lot to them.
Read about more 10 to Watch finalists here.
