A 1st Rate Pumping Service makes a lot of sales and creates satisfied customers due to its commitment to educating them, but it doesn’t end there. The staff refills its own knowledge by staying abreast of industry changes at the WWETT Show. “Going to the show has always had a huge impact on what we have purchased for the company’s needs,” says owner Julie Southwick. “We’re able to talk to the vendors about their products, and to other pumpers about what works.”

She and her late husband, Mark Southwick, attended many shows since their first in 1993. “We sat in on many classes, which helped me understand more of the industry, so I could better help our customers on the phone.”

Mark used to assist in the Masport booth, enjoying the chance to visit with other pumpers. “He loved doing that,” his wife remembers. “We did R&D for them, so he was able to say with confidence, ‘This product works, and will work great for you!’ When they came out with their water-cooled pump, Mark bought the first one and he was so impressed with it. They came to an agreement that he would be a beta tester for new equipment. Even four years after he had passed, people were still coming to the booth just to talk to him.”

Nebraska did not require CEUs until 2006 to retain a master pumper license. When the company lost Mark in 2005, A 1st Rate needed to replace its only licensed septic pumper. Julie, her son Jarred, and employee Travis Taylor took the test and passed. 

“I really don’t know how we did it looking back now, but we did,” says Julie. “I am probably one of the first female owner/operators to get my master pumper certification in this state.” The company’s policy now is for every key employee to have this certification under Title 124, the state regulation for onsite wastewater system installation and inspection as a kind of safety net. 

Read more about A 1st Rate Pumping Service in a full profile from the January issue of Pumper.