FPUA Youth Career Event Connects Students with Utility Careers

Local students got a firsthand look at careers in the utility industry during Fort Pierce Utilities Authority’s third annual Youth Career Event on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Hosted by FPUA’s Utility Advisory Committee, the event featured hands-on demonstrations, conversations with utility professionals, resume-building guidance and a tour of the wastewater treatment facility. Activities introduced young people to the people, equipment and skills behind essential community services.

Photos and video are available for coverage, including:

A 60-second B-roll package featuring event activities and the facility tour.
An interview with Javier Cisneros, FPUA Director of Utilities.
An interview with Delores Hogan-Johnson, former state representative and FPUA Utility Advisory Committee member.

Access event photos and videos here.

For additional information or interview requests, contact Calvin Daniels at daniels@fpua.com or 772-466-1600, ext. 3014.

Photo IDs

DSC00038: Pictured from left: Colleen Thurston, FPUA Human Resources Manager; Daniel Butler, FPUA Safety Officer; Carol Wilson, FPUA Human Resources Specialist

DSC00058: Pictured from left: Steve DiPalma, Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) Member; Donna Benton, UAC Member; Akash Ramalgan, UAC Member; Ivel Sierra, UAC Member; Robert Lynch, UAC Member; Rachel Tennant, JD, FPUA Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability; Johanna Gromek, UAC Member; Mary Edwards, UAC Member; Delores Hogan Johnson, UAC Member

DSC00075: Right to left: Karyl Bertram, FPUA Water Resources Laboratory Coordinator interacting with student attendees

DSC00102: pictured from left: Karina Livingston, PhD, FPUA GIS Analyst interacting with student attendee

DSC00175: overhead shot of event DSC00265: pictured from left: Javier Cisneros, PE, FPUA Director of Utilities, Lugey Dawson Jr, student attendee; Lugey Dawson, FPUA Supervising Engineer

DSC00293: pictured from right: Mike Martin, FPUA Water Reclamation Operations Supervisor; students touring Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility

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About FPUA: Fort Pierce Utilities Authority is a municipal, not-for-profit utility provider. FPUA’s mission is to provide our customers with economical, reliable, and friendly service in a continuous effort to enhance the quality of life in our community. Fort Pierce is one of more than 2,000 communities in the United States served by a community-owned electric utility and one of very few who also provide water, wastewater, natural gas, and Internet services. Public utility systems are owned by the people they serve. All benefits from our locally controlled utility remain right here in the community. Additional information is available at www.fpua.com.

About the Utility Advisory Committee (UAC): The UAC is a volunteer, community-based advisory group fostering open dialogue, business concerns and community engagement between FPUA customers and leadership of Fort Pierce’s locally-owned municipal utility provider. The UAC typically advises on topics ranging from rates, infrastructure improvement, customer service, and other ways FPUA can better engage the Fort Pierce Community. By creating engagement opportunities like the Youth Career Event, the UAC supports FPUA’s mission to serve the community and introduces local youth to career pathways available at FPUA.

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