Speakers: Darren Monico, Senior Project Engineer, Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc.. William (Rob) Boyer III, City Manager, City of Freeport
William (Rob) Boyer III: Hello, my name is Rob Boyer. I'm the city manager for the city of Freeport. I live here in town with my family, and I was in the Marine Corps as a CH-53 crew chief and plane captain stationed in Conway Bay, Hawaii.
Darren Monico: Hello, this is Darren Monaco with Gewalt Hamilton. I just want to throw my support behind all the veterans and all the military personnel, the men and women across our industry. Thank you for your service.
What military skills have proven most valuable in your current role?
William (Rob) Boyer III: My time in the Marine Corps taught me operational discipline, leadership under pressure, and a deep respect for mission focus.
William (Rob) Boyer III: The technical and logistical skills I gained maintaining aircraft translate directly into managing infrastructure, utilities, and large scale public projects. The Marine Corps also instilled in me a culture of teamwork, accountability, and adaptability, qualities that helped me build strong departments and navigate change.
Darren Monico: You can see how much they love protecting our country and they bring those attitudes about serving the community to our group and to the work and agencies that we work for.
How does working in the water sector align with your sense of service or mission?
William (Rob) Boyer III: For me, overseeing the water utility aligns perfectly with my sense of service because it represents quiet, consistent work that directly impacts every household and business in Freeport. It's not glamorous, but it's mission critical, much like the support roles in the military that keep everything running. Every improvement in water quality, every repaired main, every upgraded plant reflects a promise kept to the people we serve. In many ways, it's an extension of the same mindset I had in uniform. Protect the mission. Take care of your team, and make sure the people depending on you never have to wonder if you'll deliver.
Why should veterans consider the water industry?
William (Rob) Boyer III: Veterans are a natural fit for the water industry because it embodies the same principles that define military service, mission, teamwork, technical excellence, and purpose. The work is hands-on, meaningful, and tied directly to public health and national security.
William (Rob) Boyer III: Beyond the technical fit, there's also a shared sense of purpose. The water industry protects life, supports communities, and sustains the environment. For many veterans, it's often the same fulfillment that came from serving their country, but now in service to their neighbors. In short, veterans don't have to leave service behind. They just need to change uniforms.
Darren Monico: They will be dedicated to serve their communities and their agencies of something that is very important, such as providing clean drinking water to our communities and to our people.
Are there resources, programs or networks that helped you make the transition in your career?
William (Rob) Boyer III: When I transitioned from military service into public works and utility management, I relied heavily on the professional network and resources available through the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association, the ISAWWA. Volunteering with my local water utility gave me the hands-on experience required to qualify for operator certification, but it was the ISAWWA that provided the structured training, technical education, and mentorship to turn the experience into a profession. Through their workshops, operator schools, and online resources, I was able to prepare for and successfully test for my IEPA Class A water license. And later, I received an ISAWWA scholarship that helped me earn my master's degree from the University of Illinois, which was pivotal in my advancing in my leadership path.
Darren Monico: There are also additional programs such as the Illinois Veterans Scholarship and the GI bill that will help military personnel that served active duty to continue their education and their licensing and just be able to move up further in their service to the communities.
