AUB CELEBRATES NEW GRADE 4 WASTEWATER OPERATOR TILLMON DEVANEY

Athens Utilities Board (AUB) is proud to announce that Tillmon Devaney has successfully completed his internship and apprenticeship program and is now a certified Grade 4 Wastewater Operator.

A graduate of trade school with a background in machining, Tillmon began his career at E&E Manufacturing before bringing his skills and work ethic to AUB. After a year of hands-on training under seasoned operators, he completed a two-year apprenticeship that prepared him for this important role.

Tillmon’s interest in AUB started early. He recalls participating in school tours as a student, where he first learned about water and wastewater treatment. That early exposure sparked a curiosity that eventually turned into a career.

“There is so much more to wastewater treatment than anyone thinks,” Tillmon said. “Every day feels like a new science experiment. You use far more math than you’d expect, and you must understand not only the treatment process, but how all the equipment works. It’s a job where you’re constantly learning because conditions change daily.”

AUB operates two wastewater treatment plants in Athens, each with unique processes. Tillmon noted that factors like rainfall and drought significantly impact daily operations, requiring operators to adapt and respond in real time.

Supervisors Jody Derrick and Russell Coleman of the Oostanaula Plant praised Tillmon’s dedication and mindset. “We’ve worked with many operators who treat this as just a job, but Tillmon treats it as a career—and that makes all the difference,” they shared.

Tillmon also credits mentorship for shaping his perspective. Reflecting on advice from Derrick, he said, “Jody once told me that as a wastewater operator, it’s almost a spiritual job—God only makes so much water, so being able to clean and protect it is a huge responsibility and incredibly rewarding.”

Please join AUB in congratulating Tillmon on this outstanding achievement and commitment to serving the community.