AWWA Water Champion – Shawn McCoy, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Carlsbad, California
October 30, 2024
AWWA Articles
AWWA Water Champion – Shawn McCoy, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Carlsbad, California
Shawn McCoy, environmental manager for Channelside Water Resources in Carlsbad, California, helps oversee operations at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic for 20 years, including deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. In recognition of Veterans Day this month, AWWA salutes him and our many other members who have served their countries in military service.
Why did you join the U.S. Marines? While most of my close friends were set on going to college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted out of my future. I had one friend already committed to join the Marine Corps and he helped sway me at age 17 to sign up for the Marine Corps’ Delayed Entry Program during summer break going into my senior year of high school. I attended Recruit Training (Boot Camp) in July 2002 with the intention of being in the Marine Corps Reserves and going to school or working.
Please summarize your military service and educational background. My military specialty was as a Cobra and Huey helicopter mechanic. I was stationed at bases in Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey and California. I completed combat deployments in Afghanistan (2004) and Iraq (2008). I achieved qualifications as plane captain, collateral duty inspector, collateral duty quality assurance representative, quality assurance representative, and safe for flight maintenance controller. I was also assigned key senior billets as the Periodic Maintenance Branch Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Maintenance Control Chief, and Quality Assurance Chief.
While in the Marine Corps, I completed courses in mechanics, corrosion control, work center supervision, confined space, senior joint professional military education, and quality assurance. I also graduated from career and leadership courses at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, and the Navy War College.
Prior to retiring, I received a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with interdisciplinary concentrations of fish and wildlife management and sustainability from American Military University. I completed the Graduate Pearls Program at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad on behalf of the Mikimoto Scholarship Foundation. I hold a green belt in Lean Six Sigma and have completed general operations managers apprenticeship programs through the State of California and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Do you have other family members who served in the military? My dad, Tommy McCoy, served 20 years in the U.S. Army before retiring out of Fort Benning, Georgia. His service allowed him to travel to different countries before retiring in Marietta, Georgia. He was deployed in the Gulf War while I was in elementary school.
My wife, Whitney McCoy, served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation maintenance data analyst for Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6 at NAS North Island, California, and deployed aboard the USS Nimitz. She fulfilled one contract and was honorably discharged, then continued federal service as an early childhood educator at military installations.
What skills did you gain from this experience? My current position draws on my 20 years in an operational setting, mechanical aptitude, leadership and education. My last 10 years in the Marine Corps helped set up my life after retirement through training and experience in operational planning; computerized maintenance management systems; process improvement; auditing; Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) programs; quality assurance; material control; and coordinating efforts between different entities.
How did military service impact your life outlook? To start, my dad’s service impacted my childhood significantly with cultural and ethnic perspectives. I spent the early years of my childhood living in Germany, all my earliest memories are from Germany, and in many ways, I still favor German traditions and culture.
My own military service exposed me to other people. The Marine Corps has a mix of people from different regions in the United States and other countries. Traveling also exposed me to other cultures. Military experiences are humbling. As a result, I tend to be more open-minded and not take life too seriously. Life is fragile and short. This motivates me to continue growing as a person and working hard at life, especially if I want to continue experiencing the world and providing opportunities for my family.
What drew you to work in the water sector? I initially chose an environmental science program in hopes of being a park ranger. The concept of educating on history and science-related subjects while being outdoors was very appealing. However, as I continued my courses, water resources were a general theme that I routinely encountered. I became interested in related professions and included them as options while searching for a future career. I quickly realized that water sector jobs were in high demand in California and started to prioritize my job search there. My sons helped focus my search to San Diego County since they wanted to continue playing soccer in the area. The water sector provided comfort knowing I had options and would provide stability for my family. Also, the water sector provided a means to include my sons’ opinions in the decision of our future home.
How did you make that transition? As someone who was a military child myself, it was important to me to include my family’s input since my transition also meant their transitions. Thankfully, I was able to utilize the Department of Defense Skillbridge program, which allows servicemembers to intern at various companies while finishing their last months in the military. The San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) offers Skillbridge internships. In June 2022, I started the normal application process and was subsequently hired as an intern in the environmental section of SDCWA’s water resources department. I started my internship in November 2022, which included exposure to the Carlsbad Desalination Plant and related projects. During my last three months, management referred me to Channelside as a candidate to potentially fill a newly opened position. I accepted the position with Channelside about six weeks before my internship finished and completed my last month of internship at the Carlsbad Desalination Plant with Channelside. July 1, 2023, was my first official day as a military retiree and my first official day as a Channelside employee.
What are your current duties with Channelside Water Resources? I help oversee operations of the Carlsbad Desalination Plant with production of potable water by reverse osmosis. My duties include tasks related to operations, maintenance, health & safety, regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and site security, as well as assisting in various projects such as studies and dredging. I have also been involved in the construction and modification of our intake systems to comply with the California Ocean Plan Amendment.
Please describe your family and/or hobbies and interests. My wife and I have two sons together, Roswell and Orion. Our oldest, Yara, lives in Georgia. We enjoy exploring new destinations and trying different food. The one activity that dominates our time and interest is soccer. Both boys play competitive soccer most of the year. We also do family training, team bonding, attend soccer matches, watch matches on TV, collect memorabilia, play soccer video games, and play soccer table games. Even vacation trips are combined with soccer invitations. Next year, Roswell and Orion have been asked to play in the United Kingdom and Spain, respectively.
What is something that people would be surprised to know about you? I received the following service awards: Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation (3), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (5), Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/1 star), Iraq Campaign medal (w/1 star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/”M” device, “2” device, & silver hour glass), NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.