Scaling UP! H2O

"Rules written in a panic rarely stand the test of time. "   In this encore episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Patsy Root , Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and active member of the AWT Legislative and Regulatory Committee. Patsy brings global data, case studies, and clear recommendations for smarter Legionella regulation — and why a targeted focus on Legionella pneumophila...

What if preventing Legionella outbreaks wasn't about adding more chemicals, but removing what the bacteria needs to survive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O , host Trace Blackmore talks with Dr. David Krause, Certified Industrial Hygienist, toxicologist, and founder of HC3, about his groundbreaking approach — LIDO (Legionella Inhibition by Deoxygenation). Legionella on the Rise   Dr. Krause has...

"Just because you have a water management plan doesn't mean it's working."   That's the hard truth Matt Freije, founder and CEO of HC Info, delivers in this episode of Scaling UP! H2O. As the architect behind LAMPS — a leading cloud-based platform for water management programs — Matt joins Trace Blackmore to explore the critical evolution of water safety, compliance standards, and real-world imple...

Are You Ready to Talk About Legionella?   Every August, we dedicate an entire month to a topic that touches public health, liability, and the core of what water treaters do — yet it's still misunderstood by many: Legionella.   In this episode, Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness Month by returning to the basics. Where did Legionella get its name? What makes it dangerous? And why is ther...

  "The winning combination will include not just removal—but real destruction of PFAS." - Brian Liotta PFAS: The Invisible Challenge Reshaping Water Treatment   PFAS chemicals are everywhere—from consumer products to our bloodstream. But as regulations tighten, water treatment professionals must now evolve faster than ever. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore speaks with Brian...

"You can't learn it all in one year. You can't even learn it all in ten." That single statement from Jim Lukanich captures the spirit of this unforgettable episode.   Returning to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast for the first time since Episode 10, Jim Lukanich joins host Trace Blackmore to reflect on a remarkable 44-year career in the water treatment industry. From his early days at U.S. Steel to lea...

What happens when a nuclear chemist pivots into industrial water treatment? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore is joined by Dr. Jasbir Gill , President at Water Energy Solutions Inc , whose career spans five decades of breakthrough innovations in water chemistry and sustainability. From developing predictive modeling systems to creating new polymer standards, Dr. Gill shares how scientific rigo...

" Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" - Patrick Henry   Honoring Innovation, Freedom, and Small Business on the 4th of July   In this special Independence Day episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore brings you a rich blend of patriotism, professional insight, and entrepreneurial spirit. Opening with reflections on July 4th traditions—from fireworks to parades—Trace sets the stage for a com...

In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Tom Hutchison , Chairman of the Board, HOH Water Technology , to reflect on what it really takes to step out of day-to-day leadership—and do it well. As a multi-decade leader in water treatment, Tom shares the personal, professional, and organizational insights that shaped his transition from CEO to chairman and what it means to lead a business into i...

"You don't have to transition your entire business. You just need to start. Small beginnings are okay."   Revolutionizing Water Treatment Through Smart Tech   In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Kevin Kuhne , Founder and President of Energy Resource Products, LLC , for a deep-dive conversation on the emerging role of smart technology and artificial intelligence in wat...

A Lifelong Exploration into Chlorine Dioxide   In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, Trace Blackmore welcomes Greg D. Simpson , a recognized authority on chlorine dioxide and a long-time researcher, writer, and technologist in the industrial water treatment space. With decades of hands-on experience and a personal archive of thousands of technical papers, Greg brings unmatched depth to this essentia...

In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O , host Trace Blackmore interviews Jake Deak , Marketing & Inside Sales Director at Pyxis Lab , for a deep dive into how innovation is born—not in labs, but in the field. Jake shares the story of Pyxis Lab's rapid evolution from a lean, hands-on team to an industry leader in developing smart, user-informed water treatment technology.   Building Solutions from Real...

In this milestone episode, host Trace Blackmore welcomes John Caloritis of the Metro Group  and current President of the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) . Together, they explore the strategic evolution of AWT and announce an exciting new partnership that officially makes Scaling UP! H2O the association's podcast partner. This conversation is a rare behind-the-scenes look into how AWT opera...

" Keep it simple because the more complex things get, the less people will do it" - Gary Garcia For years, water treatment professionals have relied on PTSA tracers to estimate system performance, but emerging technologies are offering clearer, more direct answers. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcome once again returning guest Garret "Gary" S. Garcia of Masters Company...

"Continue to learn something new every day." What happens when a Navy-trained water chemistry expert dives into AI-powered marketing? You get Ben Frieders —Marketing and Business Development Manager at ChemREADY —who's turning the tide on how water treatment professionals use tech.   Whether you're still skeptical of AI or already exploring tools like ChatGPT, this episode offers a masterclass in...

In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore reconnects with returning guest Dave Fitzgerald , President of North Metal & Chemical Company . Known for his forward-thinking predictions, Dave returns to share valuable insights into supply chain forecasting, emotional intelligence in leadership, and how a strong culture can shape business longevity.    Purpose-Driven Predictions   Dave do...

Corrosion control is fundamental to the success of any water treatment program, but how often do we question the limitations of the tools we rely on? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O , host Trace Blackmore welcomes back returning guest Mike Standish , Vice President of Water Additives at MFG Chemical , to explore the evolving role of maleic acid-based corrosion inhibitors in industrial water tre...

" Don't Just Be Successful – Be Significant" How do you define success? Is it about financial achievement, accolades, or influence? What if true fulfillment lies in significance rather than just success? In this episode of the Scaling Up H2O podcast, we welcome back a distinguished guest, Aaron Walker . With over four decades of entrepreneurial experience, Aaron has not only built thriving busines...

"Always test your tools before field use. Side-by-side comparisons ensure repeatability and accuracy ." In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O , host Trace Blackmore delivers an in-depth update on the SteriPen , a widely used tool for water treatment professionals. After overwhelming demand from listeners, we revisit the SteriPen, its capabilities, and its impact on testing organic phosphates and azol...

"When there's a will, there's a way." - Charlie Cichetti Sustainability is more than just a trend—it's a commitment to a better future. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O , host Trace Blackmore sits down with Charlie Cichetti , LEED Fellow + WELL AP, CEO + Co-Founder of Skema. AI , a leading expert in green building to discuss the latest updates in sustainability and how they impact industries wor...

"Scaling is like debt— it's always better to prevent it than to clean it up later. " Phosphate plays a crucial role in Industrial Water Treatment, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood chemicals. In this Pinks and Blues episode, Trace Blackmore revisits phosphate chemistry and its application in cooling systems, corrosion prevention, and scale inhibition. Breaking Down Phosphate Chemistry P...

"Strategic planning is creating certainty in an uncertain world." – Tim Fulton Strategic planning is essential for success in any business, yet many companies either overlook or struggle with the process. In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Tim Fulton , President of Small Business Matters , to explore the fundamentals of strategic planning and how businesses can chart their course for s...

"Be the iron fist that keeps your water flowing clean and clear." - Trace Blackmore Welcome back to another insightful Pinks & Blues episode of Scaling UP! H2O! In this episode, host Trace Blackmore dives into the fascinating world of iron in water treatment systems . While iron is essential for life, it can be a major problem in industrial water systems, leading to corrosion, equipment damage, an...

"Be curious because the more you learn, the more exciting it is. Hit those challenges head on." - Ryan Reimer   Adiabatic humidification is revolutionizing climate control, offering an energy-efficient way to maintain humidity and cooling in industrial and commercial spaces. But what exactly is adiabatic humidification, and how does it compare to traditional isothermal methods? In this episode, ho...

" If you're excellent at what you do, you've got to be paid like you're excellent." – Casey Brown   Ever wondered if you're truly getting paid what you're worth? In this unmissable episode of Scaling UP! H2O, we bring back Casey Brown , speaker, founder of Boost Pricing and author of the newly released Fearless Pricing . Known for her electrifying talks and actionable insights, Casey dives deep in...