Gary McLaren

Company Announcement / Holiday

Gary McLaren (a.k.a. the Backflow Nerd) has been an integral part of HydroCorp since 1999. With over two decades of hands-on experience, Gary began his career as an ASSE-certified cross-connection surveyor, assessing over 3,000 facilities for compliance. He later expanded HydroCorp’s cross-connection control program contract services with over 130 public water systems across Wisconsin and Minnesota. A nationally recognized instructor, Gary regularly speaks at training classes and presents at healthcare and public water system conferences.

Certifications:

ASSE 5150 Certified Backflow Prevention Program Administrator

ASSE 5120 Certified Cross-Connection Control Surveyor
Wisconsin Certified Cross Connection Control Assembly Tester

Training & Speaking Engagements:

Lead Instructor, Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA) Cross-Connection Control Class (2009 -current)
Instructor, WRWA Backflow Preventer Tester Certification Class (2011 – current)
Instructor, Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) Cross-Connection Class (2010 – current)
Presenter, WRWA Annual Conference (2011 – current)
Presenter, MRWA Annual Conference (2012-2023)
Lead Presenter, American Water Works Association (AWWA) webinar on cross-connection control (2015)
Presenter, Sensus REACH Conference (2018)
Presenter, Medical Gas Professional Association Annual Conference (MGPHO, 2023)

Key Experience:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Advisory Panel Member for state code revision on cross-connection control regulation (NR 810.15, 2009-2010)
Contributing author to multiple public water system periodicals
Managed potable water piping schematic updates of 45 automotive manufacturing facilities
Cross-Connection Control Program Manager for 25 water utilities