by Clarence W. Thomas, Jr.
MGI Contributor
If you don’t know who Lisa Golphin is, you should. Especially, considering her impressive resume and hearing her express her obvious mastery of the jobs she’s held as a water industry professional in water, wastewater, and the infrastructure sector for twenty-six years.
Throughout her distinguished career, she has led major projects and strategic initiatives that have transformed the economic and environmental landscape of the communities she has served. The most recent beneficiary of her storied career as a water professional is with Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA), where Golphin was hired eight months ago as the Authority’s first Asset Manager.
In her role with CCWA, the Thomasville, Georgia native oversees the sustainability and performance of the organization’s vast linear and vertical assets that collectively have an asset value well over $1.1 billion. “I am very passionate about my work and the impact it has on ensuring the sustainability of CCWA assets and the delivery of quality water to our community,” Golphin says.
Her career path is something to behold and includes time with the Department of Energy where she served as the Operations Administrator overseeing the operational federal budgets for the State and Community Energy and Weatherization Programs.
Prior to the Department of Energy, Lisa served as a Senior Drinking Water Project Manager within the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, where she oversaw statewide programs supporting Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement funding.
Locally, residents benefited from Golphin’s two decades of service with the Macon Water Authority (MWA), where she held several key leadership roles, including Engineering Supervisor, Asset and Project Management Manager, and Senior Executive of Strategic Planning. While with MWA, Golphin served as the organization’s first Black and female engineer, an accomplishment she relishes along with a few others. She encourages those with the chance to set the pace and tone of a new position to embrace the opportunity. “Please do not be fearful,” she said. “See it as a challenge to be impactful and make a difference.”
The Fort Valley State University and Mercer University alumni places value on her expertise and takes pride in being a competent, capable water industry professional. Using knowledge and empathy to anchor and heighten her career, Golphin says she has evolved into a true servant leader. “I strive to lead with purpose and vision, which has consistently guided my professional journey. If there is no vision, there is no future,” she added.
A plethora of awards attest to and support her claims. Her accolades as a water professional can be found in her peer selected inductions into GAWP’s Golden Hydrant Society and the 5S Society – designations that celebrate water professionals’ exceptional service and dedication to the field. This November her hometown will honor and induct her into its Trailblazer Hall of Fame.
Golphin’s giving spirit is rooted in her humble beginnings as a South Georgia farm girl. As the proud mother of two daughters, Madison and Morgan, she strongly embraces and encourages the “Spirit of Reciprocity,” a value her family demonstrates throughout the community. Their philanthropic efforts are led through the Nolij Foundation, created in honor of her late father, Mr. Wallace Campbell, and founded by her mother Carolyn, and her brothers, Alan and Chris Campbell. The foundation provides scholarships to graduating seniors in the Thomas County community who exemplify leadership both inside and outside the classroom.
These days she is laser focused on her new position with Clayton County Water Authority and is grateful for the mentorship and professional guidance she receives from the organization’s CEO H. Bernard Franks, its Chief Operations Officer Keisha Thorpe and other industry leaders, such as Gary McCoy, GAWP President and Tony Carnell, General Manager of Henry County Water Authority. “Mr. Franks is a true visionary who emphasizes the importance of purpose, progress, and presence in our daily actions under his mission of ensuring we are servant-leaders,” said Golphin.
Professionally, she is an active member of several industry organizations including Georgia Association of Water Professionals, Georgia Section of the American Water Works, and the Water Environment Federation. She is also engaged in various civic organizations and is a member of Fellowship Bible Baptist Church.
Golphin’s last comment following the Informer’s conversation with her was, “I am very fortunate to go to work every day excited about the vision and future of Clayton County Water Authority, it is truly a “Best in Class Water Utility.””
