Jason Nutt, a dedicated Field Service Project Coordinator based on the West Coast, has been named MPW’s 2024 Hourly Employee of the Year. Known for his adaptability, professionalism, and passion for his work, Nutt has built a reputation as someone who can be counted on—whether the job is across the street or across the country.
“When I first started at MPW out on the West Coast, it really seemed like a dead-end job,” Nutt recalled. “There was only the one site, Harper Lake. But I saw how big MPW was and decided I wanted to learn as much as I could. Every job, I wanted to know what I was doing and know about the project.”
President Jared Black said Nutt’s mentoring of new hires, including his son, Merlin, shows his investment in MPW’s future. “Jason exemplifies humility, leadership, and dedication,” he said.
That attitude has served Nutt—and the company—well. His willingness to travel, troubleshoot, and lead by example has earned him the admiration of coworkers and managers alike. “Jason is my right-hand man,” said Regional Service Manager Jim Vetack. “He answers every call, goes to every job, and does anything he’s asked. He always goes above and beyond.”
IW General Manager Tim Dondero, who helped coordinate the Employee of the Year nominations, said Nutt stood out from a long list of impressive candidates. “Each region submitted their top picks, and I had to evaluate them all. What separated Jason was his willingness to help wherever he’s needed. Managing his local sites so well that he’s free to help in other regions—that speaks volumes,” Dondero said.
Director of Field Services Mitch Bruns agreed, explaining that Nutt has been an invaluable contributor to Field Service projects across the country. “His willingness to take on critical assignments, often outside his home region, demonstrates his strong sense of ownership and commitment,” Bruns said.
Nutt consistently seeks out opportunities for improvement wherever he goes, making a lasting impact on both the work and the teams he supports. In fact, Bruns said Nutt’s performance has been so impressive that several managers have asked if he’d consider relocating to work in their regions.
Nutt has supported clarifier projects in Gavin, Delaware City, and Kansas City, stepping in when teams were short-handed. He’s traveled across the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions and is regularly requested by name. “When there’s a clarifier job or something out of the ordinary, they ask if Jason’s available,” Vetack said. “Sometimes I’m afraid someone’s going to poach him.”
Nutt’s path into the water industry was deeply personal. “I nearly drowned in a pool when I was a kid,” he said. “I don’t fear anything in life because of that. It made me want to go straight into it. Water’s always been a driving thing for me.”
Nutt’s technical knowledge, willingness to train others, and strong family values all contribute to his outstanding performance. He’s also known for working with new equipment and learning systems on the spot. “He’s not afraid of new challenges,” Vetack added. “He’ll show up to a job with unfamiliar equipment, figure it out quickly, and get it running.”
Nutt’s initiative also saves time and resources. “A week before the nominations came in, I got an email from Greg Hamill saying Jason had done most of the troubleshooting before even calling him,” Dondero shared. “That kind of ownership makes a huge difference.”
For Nutt, being on the road so often has come with personal sacrifice. “I used to be gone for up to three months at a time, sometimes longer than I was home,” he said. “Now, I try to make memories with my family whenever I get the chance—camping, sightseeing, just being together.”
Reflecting on the challenges of the job, Nutt points to the pace of change. “The way we keep advancing—new equipment, new processes—there’s always something to learn. But that’s part of what keeps it interesting.”
Nutt credits his guiding philosophy to his grandfather: “If better can be done, then good enough isn’t good enough.” By that standard, it’s no surprise Jason Nutt is MPW’s Employee of the Year.