In a way, Stephen Hirashima, 38, has been around the water and pumps industry most of his life. “I grew up on a strawberry farm where managing water resources was essential. This experience sparked my interest in pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo,” he said.
While studying, Hirashima worked at the Irrigation Training and Research Center, where he gained a deeper understanding of pumps and hydraulics. Early in his career, he noticed there was a gap in his team’s knowledge of pumps, so he stepped in to fill that role and hasn’t looked back.
Municipal WU – California GRUNDFOS
Now at Grundfos, Hirashima enjoys helping people address problems. “I find immense satisfaction in helping people solve long-standing challenges. It’s rewarding to know that the solutions I provide not only address individual issues but also benefit the entire community served by these systems,” he said. In addition, Hirashima mentioned feeling rewarded by the fact that his work contributes to the greater good.
As for advice he’d give to prospective pump and water professionals, Hirashima shares, “For students considering a career in this industry, I recommend focusing on water hydraulics classes and exploring related subjects like biology, bacteria and algae. If you’re genuinely interested, a quick internet search will reveal current hot topics; look for courses that align with those interests. For newcomers to the workforce, I suggest applying for an Operator in Training (OIT) position at your local water and wastewater plant. This hands-on experience is invaluable and will benefit you greatly as you advance in your career, whether you stay in the municipality or transition to a manufacturer.”
Hirashima isn’t resting on his laurels and works to further his education, saying, “At Grundfos, we have an internal training program that helps keep us updated on various topics relevant to our field. In addition, I actively participate in industry seminars, trade shows and expos to expand my knowledge and stay current with the latest trends and technologies.”
What has you most excited about the industry’s future?
I’m most excited about the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants (AWTF) and the technologies emerging for recycling wastewater. They have the potential to greatly enhance sustainability efforts and ensure a more reliable water supply.
How do you typically spend your time outside of work?
Most of my time spent is with my family. I have a 6-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. At this moment I am volunteering as assistant coach to my daughter’s soccer team.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I love to bake sweets. Fine tuning a recipe to make it your own is a challenging yet very rewarding thing. And the best part is that your mistakes still taste good!