David Gilliam
COSBY
Summary
Licensed professional engineer with 9+ years of experience in municipal water and wastewater management. Expertise in leading capital improvement projects that ensure regulatory compliance and enhance operational efficiency. Proven track record in managing substantial grant funding and recognized for strategic planning and collaboration to improve service delivery and employee development.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Systems Engineer
Newport Utilities
Newport
05.2017 - Current
- Lead planning, design, and implementation of water and wastewater capital improvement projects.
- Coordinated engineering priorities with operations, customer service, finance, and executive leadership to align project objectives.
- Provide engineering support for daily operations, emergency response, system outages, and infrastructure failures.
- Develop engineering policies, standards, and procedures.
- Prepare budgets, cost estimates, specifications, and construction documents.
- Developed long-range capital improvement plans to guide infrastructure investments and resource allocation.
- Coordinate TDEC permitting, capacity certifications, and regulatory approvals.
- Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Maintain AutoCAD Civil 3D engineering drawings.
- Oversee testing, inspections, and acceptance of new infrastructure.
- Administered more than $10MM in state and federal grant funding.
- Prepared and managed TDEC, EPA, ARC, ARPA, SRF, and CDBG grants to secure funding for critical projects.
- Led meetings for Tennessee Water & Wastewater Association (Upper East Section) to address industry challenges.
- Participated in strategic decision-making as a Board Member of Cocke County Partnership.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biosystems Engineering
University of Tennessee
KnoxvilleSkills
- Utility Operations Management
- Capital Improvement Planning
- Project Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Funding Procurement
- Budget Development
- Personnel Supervision
- Hydraulic Modeling (InfoWater Pro)
- ArcGIS Pro
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- SCADA Coordination
- Strategic Planning
Selected Career Highlights
- Administered more than $10 MM in grant funding.
- Led major water and wastewater capital improvement projects.
- Coordinate TDEC approvals for utility projects.
- Support regional economic development through infrastructure planning.
Professional Leadership
- Chair, Tennessee Water & Wastewater Association (Upper East Section)
- Board Member, Cocke County Partnership
Professional Registration
Professional Engineer (P.E.), Tennessee
Timeline
Systems Engineer
Newport Utilities
05.2017 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Biosystems Engineering
University of Tennessee