420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing
Release Date: 05/16/2025
438 Innovative Water Treatment Chemistry with Matheus Paschoalino
Scaling UP! H2O
Can a carbon-negative, bio-based molecule replace legacy phosphonates and help you use less azole—without sacrificing corrosion performance? In this episode, host , welcomes Senior Business Development Manager and Microbial Control SME of , to unpack polyhydroxycarboxylic acids (PHCs) and how they’re changing cooling-water programs from the field up. We cover HEDP replacement in light-duty systems, azole enhancement in copper-challenged waters, a second-generation cut for heavy-duty heat flux, and PHC behavior with oxidizers and non-oxidizer biocides. From Bioforge to Basin:...
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437 Redefining HR: The Key to Talent & Culture in Water Treatment
Scaling UP! H2O
What if HR wasn’t the department you dreaded — but the partner that helped your team thrive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes , HR Director at , to explore how human resources can be a strategic driver of talent, culture, and profitability in the water treatment industry. Redefining HR’s Role Tia shares her journey into water treatment and how she built HOH’s HR department from the ground up. Instead of treating HR as a compliance function, she reframed it as a leadership partner—focused on employee connections, transparent...
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436 Raising the Bar: Legionella Management & Industry Standards
Scaling UP! H2O
With those words, Jemma Tennant highlights one of the most profound differences between Legionella management in Europe and the United States. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes , Chair of the Water Management Society (WMSoc), to explore how legislation, enforcement, and professional training shape the fight against Legionella. Proactive Regulation and Duty of Care The UK treats Legionella as a foreseeable and preventable risk. Jemma explains how laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations require mandatory Legionella risk...
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435 Optimizing Legionella Control Strategies with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica
Scaling UP! H2O
Legionella remains one of the most complex challenges for water professionals worldwide. How do we balance effective monitoring with realistic costs—and which strategies deliver true public health impact? In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes Head Public Health University of Rome "Foro Italico to explore new insights from his comparative research on Legionella control. Reframing Legionella Risk Dr. Spica explains why public health data increasingly points to Legionella pneumophila—not all Legionella species—as the primary concern for human health. He shares how...
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434 Encore Interview with Patsy Root
Scaling UP! H2O
“Rules written in a panic rarely stand the test of time.” In this encore episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back , Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and active member of the AWT Legislative and Regulatory Committee. Patsy brings global data, case studies, and clear recommendations for smarter Legionella regulation — and why a targeted focus on Legionella pneumophila can save both lives and resources. From Outbreaks to Proactive Policies Patsy unpacks a central truth: most regulations emerge reactively, often after a high-profile outbreak. Drawing on...
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433 Legionella Investigations and LIDO Technology
Scaling UP! H2O
What if preventing Legionella outbreaks wasn’t about adding more chemicals, but removing what the bacteria needs to survive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore talks with Dr. David Krause, Certified Industrial Hygienist, toxicologist, and founder of HC3, about his groundbreaking approach — LIDO (Legionella Inhibition by Deoxygenation). Legionella on the Rise Dr. Krause has investigated high-profile Legionella outbreaks and seen firsthand how current prevention strategies often fall short. Despite ASHRAE 188 standards, CMS requirements, and increasing water...
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432 Water Management Plans: Evolving Standards and Best Practices with Matt Freije
Scaling UP! H2O
"Just because you have a water management plan doesn’t mean it’s working." That’s the hard truth Matt Freije, founder and CEO of HC Info, delivers in this episode of Scaling UP! H2O. As the architect behind LAMPS — a leading cloud-based platform for water management programs — Matt joins Trace Blackmore to explore the critical evolution of water safety, compliance standards, and real-world implementation challenges facing facilities in 2025. Beyond the Binder: Water Management Plans That Actually Work In an era of heightened awareness and shifting regulations,...
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431 Legionella Awareness Month Kickoff!
Scaling UP! H2O
Are You Ready to Talk About Legionella? Every August, we dedicate an entire month to a topic that touches public health, liability, and the core of what water treaters do — yet it’s still misunderstood by many: Legionella. In this episode, Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness Month by returning to the basics. Where did Legionella get its name? What makes it dangerous? And why is there still confusion between a water treatment program and a water management plan? Tracing It Back: History, Misconceptions, and Missed Conversations Trace opens with the 1976...
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430 PFAS Regulations and Technologies with Brian Liotta
Scaling UP! H2O
“The winning combination will include not just removal—but real destruction of PFAS.” - Brian Liotta PFAS: The Invisible Challenge Reshaping Water Treatment PFAS chemicals are everywhere—from consumer products to our bloodstream. But as regulations tighten, water treatment professionals must now evolve faster than ever. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore speaks with , Director of Marketing and Product Development at , about the shifting regulatory landscape and the advanced technologies being developed to monitor, remove, and destroy PFAS compounds. ...
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429 The Life and Career of Jim Lukanich
Scaling UP! H2O
“You can’t learn it all in one year. You can’t even learn it all in ten.” That single statement from Jim Lukanich captures the spirit of this unforgettable episode. Returning to the for the first time since Episode 10, joins host to reflect on a remarkable 44-year career in the water treatment industry. From his early days at U.S. Steel to leading technical innovation at Buckman Laboratories, ChemCal, U.S. Water, and Kurita, Jim has been a force for mentorship, learning, and raising the bar in technical excellence. Building a Career, One Problem at a Time Jim...
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"Continue to learn something new every day.”
What happens when a Navy-trained water chemistry expert dives into AI-powered marketing? You get Ben Frieders—Marketing and Business Development Manager at ChemREADY—who’s turning the tide on how water treatment professionals use tech.
Whether you're still skeptical of AI or already exploring tools like ChatGPT, this episode offers a masterclass in practical, professional applications tailored for the water treatment world.
From the Navy to Water Treatment: Ben’s Story
Ben Frieders shares his journey from operating nuclear submarines to leading marketing at ChemREADY. His technical background in water chemistry uniquely shaped how he approaches strategy, and service.
The Power of Rising Tide Mastermind
Ben explains how a peer group like Rising Tide transformed his professional growth—giving him weekly accountability, mentorship, and a place to talk shop without explanation.
AI in Action: Real Tools, Real Impact
Ben discusses how ChemREADY uses:
- ChatGPT for blog and email creation
- Sora to generate custom videos
- 11 Labs to automate audio narration
- And more, all while respecting quality control and intellectual property
Prompt Engineering Tips from a Pro
Ben offers his personal playbook for building effective prompts—from defining identity and goals to making AI ask you the right questions. He even shares how to make AI generate its own prompt for best results.
AI for Technical Data Analysis
Learn how Ben’s team uploads water treatment reports into ChatGPT to uncover trends, troubleshoot issues, and build insight-driven recommendations for clients.
Balancing Trust and Tech
Ben emphasizes that AI is just a tool—not a replacement for professionals. He shares how he uses AI to amplify strategy, not replace human judgment.
AI isn’t a shortcut—it’s a skill. Whether you're in sales, marketing, service, or strategy, learning how to prompt and guide AI tools will set you apart in the water treatment industry.
Curious how your peers are using AI? Share your go-to tools and discoveries with us on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, sign up for our newsletter to get bonus content and tools that go beyond the episode.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:51 – Trace Blackmore shares insights on building client relationships, the value of communication, and recognizing your role in the water treatment industry
07:02 – Water You Know with James McDonald
08:26 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:01 – Interview with Ben Frieders, Marketing and Business Development Manager at ChemREADY
20:40 – How ChemREADY uses AI tools in Marketing
37:17 – Using AI in Technical Operations – data interpretation and client analysis
Quotes
“AI is still just a tool. It's not the end all be all—you still need to continually modify the output.”
“Once you learn how to talk to AI, it becomes more of your friend and not your enemy.”
“The more details the better. Precision of language gives you the first best chance to get the output you want.”
“Start slow, experience the models, and see how AI is going to work best for you.”
Connect with Ben Frieders
Phone: (317) 719-1452
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.getchemready.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminfrieders/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/getchemready/
Click HERE to download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
I said this, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
A Grown-Up's Guide To Kids' Wiring by Kathleen Edelman
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Scaling UP! H2O’s Newsletter Sign Up
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It
402 Game Changing AI Tools: Matt Montellione's Insights
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What do you call the device commonly used to measure the percentage of salt in a softener brine solution?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
