One Customer at a Time: Beth Huerta’s Vision for a Smarter, More Inclusive Water Future

For Beth Huerta, leadership in the water sector comes down to one simple principle: “One Customer at a Time.” It’s a motto that has guided her through a distinguished career at Global Water Resources, shaping both her approach to innovation and her commitment to equity. By keeping the customer at the center, Beth has helped transform how utilities think about engagement, technology, and inclusion—earning her recognition as a Women Who SPARK Award winner.

The Ripple Effect of Individual Service

Beth believes that every customer interaction carries the potential to shape public Trust. "Focusing on the customer in front of you and resolving their issue can have a powerful ripple effect," she explains. "When a customer has a positive interaction and feels their issue has been genuinely addressed, they often share that experience. Those moments not only create loyalty, they can turn customers into advocates.”

This philosophy has influenced how Global Water Resources approaches customer engagement. For Beth, service isn’t just about fixing a problem—it’s about creating lasting relationships that strengthen both the company’s reputation and its community impact.

Breaking Barriers with Courage and Strategy

As a woman in the utility industry, where there are significantly fewer women than men, Beth has made it her mission to create systems that are more accessible to women. Her advice to others? Know your value, and don't wait for recognition.

“Often, women wait for others to validate their perspective,” she says. “But your insight—especially when grounded in collaboration and lived experience—is essential. Speak it confidently.”

She emphasizes building alliances, not just networks, and embedding inclusion directly into systems. For Beth, inclusion isn’t an afterthought or an add-on—it’s about redesigning processes so they serve everyone equitably.

Challenging the “way it’s always been done” has also been central to her approach. By bringing both data and empathy into decision-making spaces, she has advocated for solutions that are smarter, more equitable, and more sustainable. And through it all, she encourages others to be “strategically visible” and celebrate small wins. “Those small wins keep you going when the work gets hard,” she reflects.

Leading in a Digital Transformation

Beth is a trusted authority on Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)—technologies that are redefining utility operations.

She sees the industry at a pivotal moment: “We’re moving from basic meter reading to a fully connected, intelligent network that gives both utilities and customers real-time insights and control.”

The shift from AMR to AMI is more than technological. It represents a transformation in how utilities operate—moving from reactive responses to proactive, data-driven decisions. With AMI integrated into smart city infrastructure and broader IoT systems, the possibilities for sustainability and efficiency expand dramatically.

Beth is particularly excited about how AMI empowers customers directly. With access to real-time usage data, they can conserve water, detect leaks before they become costly, and make more informed choices. "That level of transparency builds Trust," she explains, "and customer Trust has always been one of the hardest things for the water sector to earn."

Equally important, AMI can advance water equity. By highlighting usage patterns across communities, utilities can better understand vulnerabilities and design inclusive policies that address them.

“In many ways,” Beth says, “AMI is not just a technology upgrade—it’s a platform for a smarter, more sustainable, and more responsive future.”

Recognition and Legacy

For Beth, the Women Who SPARK Award is both a personal milestone and a reflection of broader progress. “It represents recognition not just of individual accomplishments, but of the collective progress women are making in the utility sector,” she says.

The award affirms the values she has carried throughout her career—perseverance, integrity, and a commitment to inclusion. And with this platform, she hopes to inspire others, especially women and underrepresented individuals, to see themselves as essential contributors to the future of utilities.

“I want to mentor emerging leaders, advocate for equitable workplace cultures, and champion bold thinking that moves our industry forward,” she shares. “If we lead with authenticity, share our stories, and support one another, we can shape a utility sector that reflects the diversity, resilience, and brilliance of the people it serves.”