Brian Gates, along with his wife Julie, is the owner and operator of Gates Excavation & Hauling, Inc. in Vian, Oklahoma. Gates Excavation & Hauling, Inc. manufactures and installs conventional and aerobic septic systems in the Lake Tenkiller area of eastern Oklahoma. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northeastern State University and serves as a board member and Vice-President of the Oklahoma Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA). Having been around the septic industry his entire life, Brian has an in-depth knowledge of new system installations and repairs.

Shane Biggs is the owner and CEO of Biggs Backhoe which was founded in 1981 by Shane’s parents, Earl and Nita Biggs. Shane grew up installing lateral line septic systems and doing repairs with his parents. After college in 1991, he joined Biggs Backhoe full time. Over the course of the next few years, Biggs Backhoe began to install aerobic systems. The increasing demand for installation and service of aerobics in central Oklahoma during that time facilitated the growth of Biggs Backhoe to become one of the largest septic service and installation companies in Oklahoma. Shane has been an active member of the first septic installer’s association, OCIA (Oklahoma Certified Installer’s Association) and has served multiple terms as president. Shane has remained active in OCIA and now OOWA having at least one person on the board from his company every year since the early 2000’s. In 2016 Shane and his wife, Elizabeth, took over management of Biggs Backhoe and later in 2019 they purchased the company from Earl and Nita Biggs. Since the purchase of the company, they have added septic pumping and commercial septic installation to their company and expanded their septic service business.

MaKenna's dedication and expertise shine in her role as Secretary of the Oklahoma On-site Wastewater Association (OOWA). With a strong background in marketing, she plays a crucial role in conference planning and development, ensuring event success. Her strategic vision and meticulous attention to detail make her an asset to the organization. MaKenna's commitment to excellence and her passion for fostering strong relationships reflect her deep-seated dedication to the mission of OOWA.

Kevin Ruark is originally from Northeastern Oklahoma and attended high school in Dallas, TX. He graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas with degrees in Business and Ag Business. Kevin pursued his interest in cattle, working at an embryo transfer facility and then managing a registered cattle ranch northwest of Houston. Kevin next moved into sales, achieving success selling computers for Triad Systems in South Florida. In 1993 he joined a start-up professional employer organization (PEO), Accord Human Resources, in Oklahoma City. Accord became one of the largest PEO’s in the country with Kevin eventually serving as VP of Sales. In 2006, Kevin and his wife, Julia, started Red Dirt Septic in Edmond, OK. Today, Red Dirt employs over 60 employees with locations in Edmond and Tuttle, Oklahoma.

A banker through the 80’s and 90’s, followed his love for small business and joined up with his father-in-law and brother-in-law in 1999 to help manage their growing backhoe and trucking business.

Dawn Rohrs has a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of North Dakota. She is also a licensed sanitarian and environmental specialist, a certified soil profiler, and a certified installer. Prior to starting Cyclone Septics in 2016 with her husband, Michael, she worked in oil & gas for 15 years as a drilling engineer. The company was initially a side-hustle until Michael and their sons, Austin & Cody, started working full time for Cyclone in 2017. In 2019, Cyclone became a manufacturer for NuWater aerobics, and Dawn semi-retired from oil & gas in 2021 to also join the company full-time. Today, Cyclone installs and sells aerobics to installers across Northern Oklahoma. In addition to Cyclone, Dawn also runs Blue Lion Consulting which focuses on oil & gas, construction, and general business consulting. 

Lonnie Welch has been in the wastewater treatment industry since 1994, beginning as an Applications Engineer for Rietschle Thomas. While with Rietschle Thomas, Lonnie was awarded several US patents for air compressor designs. In the last 18 years he has held numerous positions including his current position as National Sales Manager for Clearstream Wastewater Systems, Inc. Lonnie is also a 9-year US Army veteran with service in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In addition to his duties with Clearstream Wastewater Systems Inc., he holds the position of Manager for Septic and Storm Precast LLC.