New WQA president elected
Neil J. Desmond, CSW-VI, of Pentair Water in Sheboygan, Wisc., has been elected president of the Water Quality Association (WQA). He commenced his one-year term of office at the association’s annual conference in Rosemont, Ill. Desmond has been a member of the WQA since 1988 and he was Vice President during 2005-2006. He is also a member and past Chairman of the Government Relations Committee and a member of the Manufacturer/Supplier section. Desmond is General Manager of Pentair Filtration, Inc., in Sheboygan and Senior Vice President of Sales for Pentair Water’s Filtration Group. He is Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) by the Association for Operations Management. Originally from Newark, Del., Desmond is a graduate of the University of Delaware. He has been involved in various community organizations, including the Lakeshore Technical College Board and Sheboygan Redevelopment Authority. He and his wife Karen live in Wilson, Wisc. and have three children. Those wishing to contact Desmond personally may email him at [email protected].
Hagen joins Alco Chemical
Michael Hagen has been appointed Director of Marketing for Alco Chemical, a subsidiary of National Starch and Chemical Co., headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn. He will be responsible for Alco’s pan-Atlantic marketing efforts. Hagen received a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A from Purdue University. Prior to his appointment at Alco, Hagen was Global Business Manager for Great Lakes Chemical Corporation’s flame retardant business.
Director of Sales appointed
Tenergy Christ Water, LLC announced that Lee Comb has joined the company as Director of Sales, West Region, leading the sales efforts for the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector in the western region of the U.S. Previously Comb served as the Market Segment Manager, Water Treatment at Switzerland-based Georg Fischer, where he was responsible for business development in all phases of the water treatment market. He also held the position of Vice President for GE Osmonics leading the Membrane Process Equipment and International Sales efforts. Comb earned a B.A. in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota.
AWT elects new president
The Association of Water Technologies (AWT) has installed its new President, John Joseph ‘Jay’ Farmerie, CWT, of Cyrus Rice Water Consultants in Pittsburgh, Penn. He began his one-year term as president at the AWT annual convention in Palm Springs. Farmerie has risen through the ranks of AWT, serving on various committees and in leadership roles such as Secretary,Treasurer and President-elect. He has also written several papers for the AWT and serves as one of its trainers at the technical training seminars.
Vortex announces new VP
Vortex Corporation, a global innovator of chemical-free water purification products for consumer and commercial use, announced that Ron Martin has been named Vice President of Business Development. He will develop and execute comprehensive marketing and sales strategies for the company in addition to facilitating new and existing business partnerships. Martin was previously Vice President of Product Development for Triton Systems, held executive positions at Shurtape Technologies and Tyco Adhesives and served as a business consultant for private and public clients. He earned both his B.S. degree in chemical engineering and M.S. degree in plastics from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell; he also holds an M.B.A. from Northeastern University.
VP hired
Orival, Inc., manufacturer of a complete line of manual strainers and automatic self-cleaning screen filters for industrial, municipal and irrigation applications, has hired Dr. Marcus N. Allhands, PE, as Vice President of Business Development to expand markets for the company. He will report directly to the President and set up operations in the Midwest where he can administer his global duties. Allhands brings over 30 years of engineering and water treatment experience to the firm. He has worked in manufacturing, engineering and environmental consulting and most recently was the Senior Application Engineer for Amiad Filtration Systems.
Zenith appoints new officers
Zenith International announced the appointment of Dr. Ric Horobin as Water & Environment Director. With degrees in geophysics and hydrogeology, he joined Zenith in 2000 and heads a highly specialized team that manages projects focusing on hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, microbiology and groundwater engineering.
Isabel Lightfoot has taken on the new role of Events Director. Her previous career was in marketing, publishing and public relations across the international food and drink sector. Lightfoot will be responsible for developing Zenith’s portfolio of global congresses, conferences, trade fairs, seminars and training courses.
New officer for American Water
American Water has named Donald L. Correll as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Correll previously served as President and CEO of Pennichuck Corporation and held a variety of senior management positions with United Water Resources of Harrington Park, N.J. He serves on the boards of a variety of civic, professional and business organizations. Correll earned a B.S. in accounting from Pennsylvania State University and an M.B.A. in finance from New York University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant in New York.
Regional manager appointed
Severn Trent Services appointed Jim Gillam as Regional Manager of the newly established Gulf municipal utility district (MUD) region. Gillam will be responsible for management of the company’s operations and maintenance services to MUDs throughout Texas. Previously, Gillam served as Regional Business Development Manager for Severn Trent Services’ Operating Services group in the Gulf and west regions. He also served in management positions for Severn Trent Environmental Services’ Florida and Gulf regions and in its Houston, Texas office.
Coors to be honored
The Beverage Forum will present its lifetime achievement award to Peter H. Coors, Chairman of Coors Brewing Company and Vice Chairman of Molson Coors Brewing Company. Coors will be honored at a special ceremony in his honor at the 13th Annual Beverage Forum in New York City this month.
New appointees for The LeverEdge
Robert (Bob) Bennett, CWS VI, CI, joined The LeverEdge as Director of Water Treatment Sales. His initial primary responsibility is management of dealer relations. Bennett has operated as an independent water treatment dealer in both the residential and commercial markets, worked for OEM distributors focusing dealer support in sales, application and technical assistance and represented GE Water & Process Technologies as Southeastern Regional Account Manager.
Troy Millar joined the firm’s management team as Director of Operations. His business experience includes positions in the technical, distribution and sales areas of water treatment. Millar holds CWS and CI certifications. He will be based at the Tampa, Fla. headquarters and will manage one of the subsidiary manufacturing companies. Miller’s other duties will involve sales and dealer support for LeverEdge dealers. He was most recently the Southeast Regional Sales Manager for Goldline Controls.
Lydall appoints VP
Ian Grieves has joined Lydall Filtration/Separation, SAS as Vice President of Lydall Filtration/Separation and General Manager European Operations. Grieves will have direct responsibility for Lydall’s St. Rivalain, France, operations. Prior to joining Lydall, he held various positions within American Air Filter International including Vice President and General Manager. Grieves received his B.A. in economics from Sunderland Polytechnic Institute and his professional accounting qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.