Director of Operations at Eaton Well Drilling and Pump Service
Answered 4 months ago
I run Eaton Well Drilling and Pump Service in Ohio--our family's been in the groundwater business since the 1940s. We handle well drilling, geothermal systems, pump installation, and water conditioning for homes, farms, and businesses across rural Ohio. My role involves operations, customer relations, and ensuring we're serving our community with the same values my great-grandfather built this company on. For 2026, I'm hoping to see more agricultural operations invest in large-diameter irrigation wells that reduce water waste and support sustainable farming. I'd also love to see increased awareness about geothermal systems--they're eco-friendly heating solutions that tap into the earth's natural energy, but too many property owners still don't know they exist. Finally, rural water quality initiatives need more attention because clean groundwater access shouldn't be a luxury. The most urgent challenge is water conservation in agriculture and residential use. In Ohio, we're seeing farmers struggle with unpredictable water availability, and many homeowners waste gallons daily through inefficient well pump systems that could be optimized with simple preventive maintenance. On average, Americans use 80-100 gallons per person daily--there's massive room for improvement through better system efficiency and education. I'm currently focused on educating our community about preventive pump service and water quality testing. We've been running seasonal maintenance campaigns to help customers catch problems before they worsen--things like checking water lines for freeze damage or animal interference that can lead to property damage and skyrocketing bills. We're also expanding our geothermal drilling services because energy-efficient heating is where residential sustainability meets real cost savings. I'm available Monday, December 16th (though you mentioned the 22nd in your note--happy to work with either date). Let me know what time works best.
I appreciate the opportunity, but I need to be transparent with your readers. While logistics is absolutely critical to sustainability - our industry accounts for roughly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions - I'm not the right fit for this particular feature focused on established sustainability leaders and activists. At Fulfill.com, we've built a 3PL marketplace connecting e-commerce brands with fulfillment providers, and sustainability has become increasingly important in those conversations. I've watched hundreds of brands struggle with the carbon footprint of their supply chains, particularly around packaging waste, transportation emissions, and warehouse energy consumption. We're working on solutions like helping brands find warehouses closer to their customers to reduce shipping distances, and we're developing tools to help companies measure and compare the environmental impact of different fulfillment options. However, I'd be doing your publication and readers a disservice by positioning myself as a sustainability leader when my primary expertise is in logistics operations and marketplace technology. The truth is, we're still in the early stages of our sustainability journey at Fulfill.com. We're asking the right questions and building the right tools, but we haven't achieved the breakthrough initiatives or leadership position that would make me a credible voice for a feature on sustainability innovation. What I can tell you is this: there's enormous potential for sustainability innovation in logistics. The brands we work with are increasingly demanding transparency around carbon emissions, sustainable packaging options, and energy-efficient warehouses. The 3PL providers who are investing in solar power, electric vehicle fleets, and waste reduction are winning more business. The market is shifting, and that's driving real change. If you're looking for perspectives on how e-commerce logistics intersects with sustainability challenges, or how marketplace platforms can drive greener supply chain decisions, I'd be happy to contribute to a future piece on those specific topics. But for this end of year sustainability leadership feature, I'd recommend finding someone whose primary focus and achievements are in environmental innovation rather than someone like me who's integrating sustainability into a broader logistics mission.
I'd be delighted to participate in your editorial interview. As Co-Founder of We Buy SC Mobile Homes, I lead initiatives transforming outdated mobile homes into energy-efficient, affordable housing--we've prevented over 150 units from becoming waste while creating sustainable communities. I'm available for the Zoom call on Monday, December 22, 2025.
I expect 2026 will be a defining year when it comes to how companies move forward with sustainability initiatives that also drive long term growth. In terms of key trends, i am hoping to see businesses using smart digital methods to reduce their carbon footprint. In particular, i hope to see companies incorporate green technology and other sustainable processes into their business models such as, energy efficient platforms. Right now, the biggest obstacle that companies are facing is developing and implementing circular business models. Developing new circular business models will require companies to move away from traditional linear supply chain models. Developing new circular business models will require companies to develop more effective recycling methods and use of renewable materials as well as evaluating the lifecycle of products to create positive impacts. For companies, taking climate disclosures serious is a necessity in the future. The day of disclosure is upon us so, transparent reporting will build credibility with consumers as well as demonstrate an organizations commitment to global sustainability standards. Currently, i am working with my clients on integrating environmentally friendly practices into their online marketing strategies while they are able to differentiate themselves from their competitors through demonstration of their green practices and effective communication to their target audiences.
I'm the Co-Founder and General Manager of OysterLink, which is a hospitality and restaurant job platform providing pay transparency, data-driven hiring, and promoting long-term, sustainable workforces in an industry known for its high turnover rates and high levels of burnout. Our focus on sustainability is on the human factor first. By connecting employers with employees via clear roles, quicker matching, and utilizing real wage data, we assist employers in making smarter hiring decisions. This reduces employee turnover rates, decreases wasted spending on hiring, and creates a more stable workforce. We believe that to operate sustainably in the Hospitality Industry, fair compensation and a clear understanding of what is expected from employees, as well as creating systems for retaining employees through transparency, should be priorities. As I look forward to 2026, I believe improving workforce efficiency by utilizing better workforce data, creating norms for the use of pay transparency, and eliminating hiring obstacles that lead to unnecessary turnover will be my main focus. Currently, the biggest obstacle facing me is that businesses still view labor as a short-term expense rather than a long-term, value adding asset, which creates human and operational waste. Milos Eric General Manager https://www.linkedin.com/in/miloseric/ https://oysterlink.com/