2026 FGWA Board of Director Candidates

FGWA 2026 Slate of Board Candidates
Wayne Smith, Board Director, Nominating Committee Chair 

The FGWA Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following slate of officers for your consideration. These individuals completed their application prior to the deadline of January 5th.  All applications were reviewed to ensure they were completed in its entirety.  Applications were then sent to the FGWA Board of Directors for review and approval.  As of the January 5th deadline, 6 applications were received and 5 of those applications were approved to be presented to the membership. 

Election will take place at the Annual Business Meeting held in conjunction with the Annual Convention and Trade Show on Friday May 29, 2026 from 1:15 PM - 2:55 PM. 

Per the FGWA Bylaws, the delegates are responsible for electing all Directors to the FGWA Board. The Board of Directors is responsible for electing the Officers to the FGWA. Since there are 5 candidates for 5 open seats, a slate will be presented for approval. If you are a voting delegate, it is your responsibility to view the files below and be prepared to vote at the meeting.

Candidates were asked to submit a headshot and bio.  If the candidate submitted these files, they are shared below for your review. Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order by last name.

Trint Clark – Clark's Well Drilling (INCUMBENT) 

My name is Trint Clark and I’m a candidate for 2026 FGWA board.

My family has been in the water well industry since 193, from 2” hand pump wells to submersible pumps and the promise of permanent work for the family and a fair profit. From spudder rigs to dual rotary from our great grandfather to the present. From drilling 2” domestic wells to now 40” industrial and municipal wells across Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. We have held a line of family values and honesty with our customers for over four generations.

Being a small family company with a big footprint has allowed me to experience almost every aspect of the drilling industry from drilling 4” residential wells, bidding, running cost analysis, meeting with municipalities, and personally completing some of the largest diameter wells our region has to offer.

My goal as an FGWA board member is to bring to the table the great values passed down from my great-grandfather, to now protecting the rights of our drilling contractors working hard every day and to give back to the industry by providing a clear and honest outlook on the future of clean and safe aquifers, fight against bad regulations and promote common sense regulations for everyday water well contractors.

RJ Huss – Huss Drilling, Inc. (INCUMBENT) 

Hello, my name is RJ Huss with Huss Drilling Inc. We are a family owned and operated drilling company for the last 40 years based out of Dade City, FL. I am a 3^rd generation licensed water well contractor and the President of Huss Drilling Inc who works in the Exploration, Environmental, and Water Resource fields of drilling.

I am honored to have been on the FGWA Board for many years. I am currently the Vice President and Chairman of the Annual Convention Committee and Charity Golf Tournament. I have also been involved in the Safety, Bylaws, and Legislative committees throughout my time on the board.  For many years, I have served on the DEP Workgroup, representing the interests of water well contractors when proposed rules and regulations are under consideration. 

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the membership and FGWA Board for the next term. 

Merritt Partridge – Partridge Well Drilling (INCUMBENT) 

I am a sixth-generation water well contractor and the President of Partridge Well Drilling Company, Inc., a Jacksonville-based company founded in 1892 by my great-great-great-grandfather. Growing up around the business gave me a deep appreciation for the groundwater industry and the important role water well contractors play in providing reliable water across Florida.

After earning my business degree from the University of North Florida, I committed my career to continuing our family’s work in the groundwater industry. Today, I lead Partridge Well Drilling, which employs more than 40 people and operates a fleet of eight drilling rigs and seven service trucks throughout Northeast Florida. I work to maintain the values our company was built on—professionalism, quality workmanship, and responsible groundwater development.

In addition to my work at Partridge Well Drilling, I have remained actively involved in industry leadership. I have served on the Florida Ground Water Association (FGWA) Board of Directors for more than seventeen years and previously served as President of the Association. I have also been involved nationally with the Water Systems Council and the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), where I served as a Director and two-term President. I have also served on the Board of Directors for the South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee.

Throughout my career, I have worked to advocate for licensed water well contractors and to protect our industry from unnecessary or burdensome regulations. When regulations are proposed, they should be practical, common-sense, and developed with input from the contractors who actually do the work. I also believe strongly that only licensed water well contractors should drill, repair, install, and abandon water wells, and that protecting professional standards is critical to the future of our industry.

With more than a century of family history in the business, I remain committed to strengthening and advancing the groundwater industry in Florida.

I would be honored to have your support.

Noah Ringdahl – Florida Design Drilling LLC (INCUMBENT) 

Noah Ringdahl is the President of Florida Design Drilling, a licensed water well and general contracting firm specializing in water well drilling and water resource construction services, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Founded in 2005, Florida Design Drilling has built a strong reputation for excellence in the industry. 

A 4th generation well drilling contractor, Noah brings a deep legacy of expertise to his work. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Ground Water Association (FGWA). His experience spans all aspects of water supply well construction and testing, including the design, permitting, and project management of numerous Floridan aquifer reverse-osmosis (RO) water supply wells, as well as Surficial and Biscayne aquifer water supply wells. Noah has also led rehabilitation efforts for production wells across all three aquifer systems.

Prior to joining Florida Design Drilling, Noah served as a Mechanical Engineer at CH2M Hill, where he focused on process mechanical engineering. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida.

Melissa Sheffield – Sheffield's, Inc. 

Melissa Sheffield is a licensed Florida Water Well Contractor and co-owner of Sheffield’s Inc., a family-owned business based in High Springs, Florida. Born in 1979, she earned her contractor’s license at age 30 and brings over 16 years of hands-on experience in water well drilling, pump service, water conditioning, and groundwater systems.

Representing three generations in the water well industry, Melissa is committed to supporting the contractors who keep Florida’s groundwater accessible and protected. She has been an active member of the Florida Ground Water Association (FGWA), the North Central Florida Water Well Association (NCFWWA), and the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) for over 15 years. Through her service with NCFWWA, including serving as President, she has focused on strengthening member engagement, expanding continuing education, and encouraging industry involvement at all levels.

Melissa has served on the FGWA Continuing Education Committee and regularly attends Florida DEP regulatory meetings, staying engaged in issues that directly impact contractors and groundwater resources. She is passionate about bridging the gap between contractors, regulators, and associations by translating complex rules into practical, real-world understanding.

As she seeks to serve on the FGWA Board of Directors, Melissa is committed to being an active, approachable voice for members—supporting education, strengthening communication, and helping guide the future of Florida’s groundwater industry.