Who we are

We work every day to create value for our clients through creative, sustainable approaches to wastewater treatment, dispersal, and collections.  AQWA is a small family owned business that loves the work we do and strives to bring our best to the table every day. The descriptions below are a brief introduction. The reality is we all wear many hats and fill multiple roles to create successful outcomes for all of our clients. If you want to connect with us, reach out to info@aqwa.net or give us a call at 252-243-7693.

Steve (CEO) and Becky barry (Office Manager)

A graduate from Texas A&M (Gig ‘em!), Steve got his start in the wastewater world as an environmental health specialist in Florida. When he's not working on creative solutions to wastewater treatment and collections, you will probably find him on the soccer field at Barton College as the assistant coach for their men’s soccer team. go Bulldogs! Steve holds many certifications including Grade 4 Biological WW, Subsurface WW, Surface Irrigation Operator, and Utilities Contractor Unlimited Lic.

Becky supports the AQWA team in many ways, especially so as bookkeeper. She loves spending time on Bearwallow Mountain, hiking, teaching spin classes at the YMCA, helping to lead the local Classical Conversations home school community and inspire the next generation of homeschool parents and students to excellence.

mike (COO) and Denise barry

Mr. Mike retired from the Army only to jump right into a new venture with his son, Steve, back in 2003. He wears helmets less often now in his current role with AQWA, but you will still find him working hard to deliver excellent after sales service to our clients.

Mr. Mike’s experience as a combat engineer gave him a great foundation for project management, quality control, and attention to detail. He sets the standard for quality products and installations and helps make sure we all live up to it.

Mike’s wife Mrs. Denise helps to make sure everyone in the office has what they need and is taken care of.

Mike and Denise are both very active with their church family at Peace Church in Wilson.

Kevin Johnson - Manufacturing & Fulfillment

Kevin does most of the light manufacturing work we do here in Wilson. He is a wizard when it comes to thinking through the process of building things. Also, he has a copy of the Bill of Rights, US Constitution, and Declaration of Independence framed and hanging on his living room wall which we think is cool. He is the 2022 recipient of our “True Grit” Award — For Employee of the Year.

Ethan Barry, Project Engineer, EI

Ethan Interfaces with design engineers for commercial and larger residential system technical support. He works closely with Michael to support customers and design engineers with their technical needs to bring projects to design. He recently added a silver lab “Bonnie” to his household and she is now an office dog. Ethan is a 2020 graduate of Campbell University in Mechanical Engineering and is working towards his Professional Engineer License.

Jonathan Handley, Assistant Operations Manager

Jonathan is a highly skilled and experienced operations technician. He specializes in our beach-front systems, keeping them in top form for high-load summer rental seasons. Jonathan has over 10 years of experience and can handle any situation. He is certified as a Sub-surface and Spray Irrigation Operator. An honest, hardworking, good looking, soft spoken Christian with a wonderful sense of humor. Jonathan is the most eligible bachelor in NC. We here at AQWA are on a mission to get him married.

Paul Smith, Field technician

Paul joined us March 2022 and joins Steve as our most highly graded operators -- both Grade IV. He is a highly experienced operator of NPDES Systems protecting our waterways. He is quickly mastering Advantex Treatment systems and also recently added to his qualifications, obtaining a Surface Irrigation Certification. Paul is an accomplished ceramist and potter and donates a lot of time with his local Arts Council.

John Joplin, Residential Install and Startup Representative

John is the watermelon seed spitting champion of Wilson County. He enjoys playing soccer and sometimes he is even good at it. John works with installers, engineers, and home owners to make sure the wastewater treatment system installed on the residential property is working correctly and functioning as intended.

michael clayton - Sales Manager

Michael delivers high quality solutions to developers and property owners to help them make their property plans and dreams come true. Michael works out of the Wilson office, so if you call the office with project questions you will probably get him on the line. Michael is known to be incredibly helpful, handsome, charismatic, brilliant, witty, kind…plus he writes most of the website copy.

Michael lives in Wilson with his wife Victoria and daughter Lucy. They love to go to pretty places and eat yummy food. Michael is a certified Grade 3 Biological WW, Subsurface WW Operator, and Grade 4 Septic Installer.

Patrick Vanhook, Project Manager/Construction Superintendent

Patrick does our onsite project management. He is the principal team member ensuring commercial and residential systems are installed in accordance with plans and ready for ongoing operations. As Construction Superintendent, Patrick oversees project installation on the ground. Patrick and his growing family are active in their church and he loves smoking meat!

Jeff Cranmer, field technician Supervisor

Jeff has 7+ years of experience operating AdvanTex Treatment Systems. He is highly skilled in bringing new systems into the operations and maintenance program as well as getting older systems in new territories that have gone years without proper maintenance. South Carolina systems that were installed and operated by previous Advantex Dealers. He is the 2021 recipient of our "True Grit" award -- for Employee of the Year. He is certified for Subsurface WW Operator, Collections 1, and Surface Irrigation. Jeff enjoys hunting and woodworking.

Karie Bolton, Administrative Assistant

Karie joined us in 2021 and quickly made herself invaluable. She's likely your first contact with AQWA if you call over the phone. She also takes care of our invoicing and homeowner packages. Karie loves living outside the city with her family on a small farm with chickens, ducks, turkeys, and dog. Karie is also part of the leadership team with her husband at their church called Vision Church!

tammy sanders - Operations Manager

Tammy does a fantastic job of overseeing the operations and maintenance of 1200+ wastewater treatment systems in the Carolinas.  These systems range from single family homes to large community systems, located from the Outer Banks of NC to Lake Keowee in SC and everywhere in between.  We are proud of the work she does and the incredible track record of permit compliance. 

Tammy is a graduate from Oral Roberts University and holds a grade 2 biological wastewater operators license.

Logan JAckson, field technician

Logan joined the AQWA team in 2023, he has hit the ground running and is well on his way to obtaining his Subsurface WW Operator certification. After a series of very average height new hires, we scouted Logan out as a great opportunity to increase our overall team height and athletic potential.

Peter Rhodes, technical Sales, manufacturing, and product development

Peter is a jack of all trades. He assists with manufacturing, troubleshooting, and process analysis. Peter is very skilled at a multitude of things and holds a grade 4 Biological Wastewater Operator License. In his free time Peter enjoys working on his 54 Ford Crestline and spending time with his family!

Jason dean, field technician

Jason joined AQWA in November of 2023. When Jason is not working hard for AQWA you can find him fishing or spending time with his wife and 2 children. Jason loves the Lord and says that he would be nothing without God.

Travis Wright, Construction Project manager

Travis is a man of many talents. When he is not spending time with his wife and 3 daughters he enjoys spending time on the driving range learning to play golf. Travis has experience owning his own construction company and is licensed in the following: Level 4 installer in NC, NC Point of Sale Septic Inspector, Commercial and Residential Contractor in NC, and NC Public Utilities. We are excited to have Travis as part of our AQWA family and look forward to our future together!