Meet the Trainers
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TrainingLink™ trainers represent hundreds of years of experience in safety, wastewater collections, public works, infrastructure, risk management and more. They are passionate about educating and inspiring experienced and aspiring professionals and sharing their knowledge through engaging classroom, on-site and online training. Read the bios of some of our trainers below. Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page for scheduling or click here to search for open enrollment training by topic, audience and date.
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Andy Morrison Andy Morrison has been in wastewater collections since 1982. For the last 10 years, before he retired in 2014, he was the manager of the Collection Services Work Group for Union Sanitary District, a multi award winning agency. As well as being a recognized leader in the industry, he was a contributing author to many BMP manuals. 
David Clovis David Clovis retired as the General Manager for the California Joint Powers Risk Management Authority in Livermore, CA December 2018. CJPRMA’s members include both cities and JPA’s throughout the State of California and the total number of agencies is approximately 100. In his role as General Manager, he worked with the members in all areas of risk management and was responsible for the operations of the organization. Since retiring from CJPRMA in late 2018, David has developed a custom practice for public agencies serving as a consultant in the areas of Risk Management, Pool Management, Organizational Development and Strategic Planning. 
Don Freeman Dr. Don Freeman has provided patient care and served as a Primary Treating Physician in the workers compensation delivery system for 22 years. In addition, he worked as a Physician Advisor for Blue Shield of California, Qualified Medical Evaluator for the State of California, and a Med-Legal Expert providing court room testimony. Don is the founder of Occumetric, developing strength and endurance test equipment and software tools used to help employers reduce the number and costs of workplace injuries. He has worked with the wastewater industry providing ergonomic trainings. 
John Balestrini John Balestrini is a Certified Safety Professional and a Senior Risk Management Consultant with DKF Solutions Group. One key focus area is Fall Protection, where he broadcasts his fascination with the physical/ engineering interface of putting people into harnesses and then building things. Making safety concerns second nature to a workplace is important and John builds this into all aspects of training and safety programs. Safety equipment is useless if the people don’t understand or care about its care and feeding. John's knowledge of the tools and the trade, the people and the situation all come into play when he is sharing what he knows. |
Keith Sorsdal As the CEO of The Sorsdal Group, and an Executive Program Leader with the John Maxwell Team, Keith Sorsdal helps organizations move their teams from mediocre to magnificent. Keith’s 26-year military career as a Naval Rescue Swimmer, and Air Force Officer, operating in high risk–high threat environments, serving four tours in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, coupled with over 10 years as a leader in public agencies, provides a unique approach that shifts clients’ mindsets, allowing them to see and develop the potential in themselves and others. This has made him a sought-after speaker, trainer, online educator, and coach. Keith holds a certification in Human Behavior Analysis, Emotional Intelligence, is a licensed corporate trainer for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and holds a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science. 
Kent Freeman Freeman is a 30 year veteran of the Fire Service, retiring from Roseville Fire Department where he served as the coordinator of technical rescue services. He has worked extensively in the area of Confined Space Entry/Rescue, Trenching/Excavation and Rescue, as well as technical rope rescue and fall protection. He has worked with California State Fire training and Cal-OSHA developing curriculum for Confined Space Entry/Rescue as well as Trenching and Trench Rescue. 
Mike Thorpe Mike Thorpe has over 16 years of experience providing workplace safety training to numerous premier contractors and organizations throughout California and Nevada, He has worked as a Safety Manager for a major California construction company, and as a Product Manager/Safety Specialist for a large construction supplier. Mike works closely with clients in the recognition and mitigation of workplace hazards while keeping safety, productivity, and profitability in mind. 
Rudy Schroeder Rudy is a Safety Management Consultant specializing in Training and Loss Prevention services. His companies provide services to both public and private sector organizations. He graduated from American River College in Sacramento, California with a degree in Business Management/ Construction Management and immediately went into business for himself after obtaining a California Contractors License. He has been in construction operations and management since 1970’s, with extensive experience in safety management during that time. Rudy’s expertise includes the hiring, training, and supervising personnel in design, operations, construction, production, safety and loss control aspects of construction management and general industry. Rudy is an Instructor with many certifications and/or training for Cal-OSHA, Fed OSHA and California State Fire Training. |
Sergio Ramirez Sergio Ramirez is the Operations Superintendent of a Special Sanitary District in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has over 26 years’ experience in the wastewater industry and holds a Grade IV in Collection System Maintenance with the California Water Environment Association (CWEA). He has earned awards as Collection System Person of the Year and Supervisor of the Year. Sergio has served in the CWEA, San Francisco Bay Section and Santa Clara Valley Section Collection System Committees, including the State Collection System Committee as Chairman. He has been conducting training for approximately 20 years in the areas of Hydro Flushing, Power Rodding, Lift Station Maintenance, Goal Setting, and other Operation & Maintenance subjects. Most recently he’s dedicating time to provide training in the CWEA, Technical Certification Program for Collection System Maintenance Certification, Traffic Control & Flagger Certification, Utility Locating, and Operation & Maintenance Management. 
Sam Rose Sam has 35 years’ experience in all aspects of Collection System Operations and Maintenance, with 16 of those years in management positions. He has experience working with regulators and has provided SSO response training to the State and Regional Water Board staff and the staff of many collection system agencies throughout California. Sam has a bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State University and holds a CWEA Grade IV in Collection System Maintenance. 
Trent Lubiens Center for hearing health Center for Hearing Health is a mobile service throughout California, Nevada and Arizona that partners with safety administrators to educate and motivate employers and employees to support and incorporate hearing conservation practices that effectively prevent noise-induced hearing loss. CHH is a mobile Hearing Assessment Van that will come to private facilities and conduct Hearing Assessments and Fit Tests. 
Zoeanne Tafolla Zoe brings 30 plus years of experience in Safety and Risk Management. She holds a certificate in adult education, with an emphasis in Safety from UC Davis. |