Water Well Journal

July 2016

Water Well Journal

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A must for any company is a good business plan, and the people guiding the early days of Water Well Journal were dead solid perfect. The publication was born 70 years ago when the Illinois Well Drillers Association revamped its journal to appeal to a national audience. The Illinois Well Driller changed its name to The Water Well Journal and just like that its circulation doubled—to 2000 readers. Two years later the Water Well Journal Co. was incorpo- rated. A bi-monthly publication, its ownership stated its goals: • To take firm stands on problems affecting the well contracting profession and the water well industry • Be a positive force for the betterment of the profession and industry • Express beliefs on important issues. With a plan and foundation like that, it's no wonder the journal is still going strong, delivering critical industry news and information on cutting-edge technology to nearly 25,000 readers around the world every month. "While many things have changed in the water well sector in the past 70 years," says NGWA CEO Kevin McCray, CAE, "the journal's commitment to making contractors better has not waivered." Leading the Way Right from the start, WWJ immediately showed it was going to follow through on its goals in its first issues. Among the immediate challenges discussed in those early publications was the industry's battle for more steel allocations and a better public image. A cartoon ran in one of the first issues showing the differ- ence between a well digger—a short man wearing overalls and a cap with a pick over his shoulder, and a well driller—a large buff man in a hardhat and clean uniform with blueprints in his hand and a pencil tucked behind his ear. We'll ignore the cigar in his mouth; after all it was a different era back then! Professionalism has been a topic that has always popped up. Decades after those early issues, McCray, who began his career with the association as WWJ assistant editor in 1979, wrote a piece in the April 1998 issue on the state of the ground- water industry. It was titled "Where It Is, Where It's Going." McCray, who has led the Association since 1995, wrote, "Our industry must adopt the attitude that everyone should have access to safe and plentiful supplies of water, that our customers are satisfied with the quality of this water, and that they have confidence in the professionalism of those providing the water." Pat Alcorn, who worked for WWJ from 1972-1992, wrote numerous articles on improving business management skills. She adds, "It was an honor to be a part of a team of WWJ writers fully committed to sharing information to benefit each individual business operator. My associates and readers encouraged the expansion of ideas that made each of strive to constantly improve." The journal is still helping better the profession as it enters its seventh decade. By Thad Plumley 1947 Water Well Journal debuts. 1947 Articles in WWJ promote national convention and value of association membership. This helps lead to happenings next year. 1948 National Water Well Association founded (later renamed National Ground Water Association). It is formed at first national exposition which is sponsored by WWJ. 1949 The Water Well Journal Co. is incorporated. 1955 Several articles dot issues on all aspects of submersible pumps. 1956 WWJ begins publishing monthly. 1957 Hotel rate for NWAA Expo in Oklahoma City listed in WWJ—$5.75 a night. 1964 WWJ adds a buyers guide. 1969 NWWA acquires controlling interest in Water Well Journal Publishing Co. 1971 Sylvia Ross, an experienced groundwater journalist, becomes managing editor of WWJ. 1972 A thin, vinyl record inserted into WWJ inviting people to attend NWWA convention. 1972 Al Bessesen replaces Ross as managing editor of WWJ. WWJ July 2016 29 Twitter @WaterWellJournl 70 YEARS continues on page 30

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