NSF marketing VP announced
NSF International appointed Elizabeth A. Jones as its new Vice President of Marketing, responsible for strategic leadership, as well as oversight of corporate marketing and branding, communications and regulatory affairs. Jones will lead global multi-channel marketing for both business and consumer markets, driving brand recognition and growth for the agency. Previously, she served as Vice President of Communications for Quicken Loans Inc. and Rock Ventures. Jones served 23 years in the US Navy and Navy Reserve. She received a Master’s Degree in business administration from New Hampshire College, Manchester, NH and a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing and management from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN.
Franze named CHG CEO
SANIGUARD® manufacturer, Component Hardware Group (CHG), appointed Harry Franze as Chief Executive Officer. He brings significant experience in general management, new product development, manufacturing and sales. Franze was President of American Building Company as well as President of OMNOVA Solutions’ Building Products Division. Previously, he was CEO and President of Mansfield Plumbing Products LLC.
WaterSmart speaker named
Dr. Jim Gill, inaugural chairman of Water Australia and past CEO of the Water Corporation of Western Australia, will be the keynote luncheon speaker at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition, October 7-9, in Las Vegas, NV. In 2008, Gill received the International Water Association’s prestigious Grand Award for mastering the implications of climate change in Australia. This year he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia, one of the nation’s highest honors. Gill was named Australian Civil Engineer of the Year for 2006. He holds degrees from the University of Western Australia, University of Cambridge and Harvard University.
PACS staff additions announced
Professional Analytical and Consulting Services (PACS) announced several staff additions in June. Bob Roodman, with 25 years in carbonization, pyrolysis, gasification, activation with minerals and renewables for sorbent technologies, joined the activated carbon team. Bill Purves, a PACS short course instructor for 22 years, joined the consulting group in metals and data validation. New instructor and consultant Shib Mookherjea’s skills will be especially useful for the pharmaceutical industry. Russ Barron joined the consultants as a web designer and maintenance and electronic marketing.
Junior water prize winners announced
Eileen Jang, a student at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, NC, was named the US winner of the 2009 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) during a ceremony in June at the University of Anchorage in Anchorage, AK. She received $3,000 (USD) and an all-expense paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, where she will compete against national winners from more than 30 countries for the international honor during World Water Week, August 16-22. Three US finalists, Scott Boisvert (Chandler, AZ), Li Boynton (Houston, TX) and Collin McAliley (Melbourne Beach, FL), also received a $1,000 award. The Water Environment Federation sponsors the US SJWP with support from international sponsors ITT Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company and Delta Air Lines. The Alaska Water Wastewater Management Association served as the 2009 host of the national competition and Jang received sponsorship from the North Carolina Water Environment Association.
AWQA Update
Lobbyist Knox Kimberly, Managing Principal with Triadvocates in Phoenix, spoke to a few dozen members of the Arizona Water Quality Association in June on the status of water treatment legislation in the state. Due to state budget conditions and priorities, he noted no action is planned by the legislature this year.
Kimberly advised members to take the time now to be proactively involved with their politicians on the state and local level to get the word out about the value of their profession. He noted there are several positive issues, many coming from the Phoenix Water Softener Report, that members need to individually advocate to all levels of government. A flyer on key topics was made available.
No specific plans were outlined to provide water dealer members with mass communication messages or materials to help galvanize customers about the issues in order to gain their grassroots support, as well as to combat the emotion of extremists pushing for bans and restrictions.