Jim Tucci recently took on the role of national sales manager at Flomatic, but his career arc and dedication to education prepared him for the challenge. He came to the valve manufacturer in 2014, but worked in geothermal, environmental and water well drilling — even getting certified by the NGWA.

“I got into the drilling industry, actually, in summers during college,” Tucci says. “I knew a fellow that owned a business, and just to make some money while I was home from school.”

But, once inside the drilling and water supply industry, Tucci’s path started winding. He completed his undergraduate studies at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta, with dual bachelor of science degrees in physics and water resources. Later, he finished a master’s in environmental science and engineering from Colorado School of Mines.

He worked as an owner/operator in Upstate New York, so he brings field experience to his current role. In his time as a driller, Tucci earned recognition by the National Ground Water Association as a certified well driller and pump installer (CWD/PI) and as a certified vertical closed-loop driller (CVCLD).

“I always liked the work from day one, even as a summer job in college I enjoyed it,” Tucci says. “Something about it — getting dirty and working with your hands, and on every job you went to you learn something different.”

The attitude strings together Tucci’s career in the industry, and the roles he has filled.

“It’s always better to continue your education,” he says. “That being said, when I was on the engineering tract, and even post-graduation in dealing with engineers, I strongly feel that working in the field is another level to your education. You can only learn so much from a book. Putting your hands on the devices and getting in the ditches and the trenches — or, you know, welding or whatever the case — it puts a different perspective on what you learned in a book.”

Tucci brought his in-field perspective to Glens Falls, New York-based Flomatic in 2014. It was an opportunity for a new challenge, with a company that he believes in.

“If I were not with Flomatic right now, I don’t think I would hold my current position,” Tucci says. “Through all the left turns and right turns of life, I ended up at Flomatic starting as more of a technical guy. The customer interaction and problem solving and dealing with people are what attracted me to Flomatic.”

He began as industrial and municipal sales engineer for the company, which manufactures a range of valves for domestic and municipal water and wastewater applications. Now, he oversees customer service and manages a sales team, and works to pass on his commitment to self-improvement.

“What I try to do is teach them how I would respond to a certain situation. I give them the opportunity to do it on their own, but I try to teach them how I would approach it — how I would handle it, how I would talk to the customer, how I would quote a job. … They have to understand I’m looking out for their best interest and hopefully they’re doing the same in return.”

So, what does Tucci, who has worked in several areas of the industry, see in the future of the water supply industry?

“I don’t think anybody would be surprised by this comment, that the industry’s been flat for several years,” Tucci says. “But I hope that there’s a lot of potential. … You know, water is our most precious resource, so people can’t deny that we’re going to need it if we’re going to survive as a civilization.”

Tucci still looks back fondly on his time drilling, even if he’s not on the platform anymore.

“To be a driller, you have to be a special person. … Everybody that’s in the industry knows what I’m saying. Drilling is not for everybody. Hard work, dirty work, dangerous work — I, personally, loved it.”