People

Java new Water-Right Sales Manager 

Water-Right, Inc. welcomed its newest member, Luke Java, who was recently appointed Sales Manager. Java graduated from the Universities of Wisconsin with an Associates of Arts and Science Degree in Business Administration and has over 30 years of experience in the water treatment industry. Prior to joining Water-Right, he held many industry positions, including Field Services Engineer, Regional Sales Manager and New Business Market Manager for EcoWater Systems and was owner of two water treatment businesses. Most recently, Java held a position as regional sales manager for Pentair Residential Filtration and was responsible for managing growth through OEM customers. In his new role, Java will manage direct sales reports, support current customers and aid in identifying new water treatment opportunities.

 Noonan honored by NSF/NEHA

NSF International and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) named Gary P. Noonan as the 2011 Walter F. Snyder Award recipient for outstanding achievements in environmental health. Noonan received the award during NEHA’s annual conference in June, for his extensive work to improve drinking water quality, eliminate lead hazards and develop respirator standards and emergency response plans. FGiven in honor of NSF International’s Co-Founder and first Executive Director Walter F. Snyder, the award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of environmental health. Noonan, who retired from the U.S. Public Health Service with the rank of Captain (CAPT), is being honored for his 38-year career, marked by significant public and environmental health achievements at the local, tribal, federal and international levels. CAPT Noonan has served as a member of the NSF Council of Public Health Consultants since 2005 and chaired the council in 2010. His involvement in the consensus standards process includes contributing to a number of national standards on lead testing.

 FWQA Directors announced

During the Business Meeting of its annual convention, the Florida Water Quality Association named Philip Fralix, CWS-VI, of Mavea, LLC; Mark Maddon of Coast Pump Water Technologies; Stephen Payne, CWS-VI, of Southern Water Services and Cindy Schieber, CWS-I, of the Stenner Pump Company to serve on the Board of Directors. Fralix is Senior Key Account Manager for Mavea and has been in the water treatment industry for 27 years. Maddon is Commercial/Industrial Regional Sales Representative for Coast Pump and provides technical support for the company dealer network in the State of Florida. He holds a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Penn State University and has served the water treatment industry for 34 year. Payne is President and Owner of Southern Water Services. Scheiber is the Regional Sales Representative for Stenner Pump Company, for whom she conducts certified technical training seminars for water treatment professionals throughout south and central florida.

Martinez named IUVA Executive Director 

The International Ultraviolet Association appointed Deborah Martinez Executive Director and she began her work in that position in June. One of her first responsibilities will be to open an office in Washington, D.C. In her new role, Martinez will provide leadership, strategic guidance and management for the daily operations of IUVA. Previously, she was Director of Programs for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Foundation and served as the Director of Education and Conferences for the Society of Military Engineers. Martinez also formerly served as Executive Director of the Society of Geriatric Cardiology. She has extensive experience in higher education and association management, which includes working with the American Dental Education Association for over eight years as Director of Professional Development and Education.

Raval awarded IDA Fellowship 

The International Desalination Association (IDA) named Hiren D. Raval of India the recipient of its 2011 IDA Fellowship Award. A scientist at the Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Raval will undergo an attachment with the Bureau of Reclamation in the US, the 2011 host agency for the IDA Fellowship Program. He has been involved in developing the technology of making thin film composite membrane for RO and effluent management of the total process and was also instrumental in developing a process to increase TFC RO membrane permeability. Raval’s credits include teaching taught chemical engineering and polymer technology subjects at various universities/institutes, in addition to publishing research papers in numerous journals and magazines. He is a member of the Indian Desalination Association, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers and IDA. Raval earned his M. E. Degree in chemical engineering with specialization in polymer technology from The M.S. University of Baroda, and a B. E. Degree in chemical engineering from Saurashtra University Rajkot. He also completed the Executive Diploma Program in International Business from Nirma University Ahmedabad.

 New Jersey student to represent US at Stockholm Water Event 

Alison Bick of Short Hill, NJ was named the US winner of the 2011 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) during a June ceremony in Chicago, IL. Bick’s project, Development and Evaluation of a Microfluidic Co-Flow Device to Determine Water-Quality, was selected from more than 40 state SJWP winners. 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 21-27. HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will present the international award—$5,000 and crystal sculpture—during a royal ceremony held in conjunction with the Stockholm Water Symposium. In addition to being a finalist, Musavi was also the first recipient of the Bjorn von Euler Innovation in Water Scholarship for her project, Development and Optimization of Gold-Nanoparticle Modified Carbon Electrode Biosensor for Detection of Listeria Monocytogenes. The award recognizes projects that demonstrate a unique passion for education and awareness of sustainable water management. New this year, the $1,000 scholarship honors the valuable work and contributions of former WEF Board member and retired ITT Corporation communications director, Bjorn von Euler.

Swatkowski appointed PMI Technical Director

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) recently announced the appointment of Len Swatkowski as Technical Director. He will be responsible for analyzing and reporting proposed code and standard changes, maintaining and managing effective relationships with PMI members, certification agencies and industry peers and representing PMI at various industry meetings. Most recently, Swatkowski was a program manager for Jarden Consumer Solutions and previously, held engineering management positions for a number of consumer product manufacturing companies. During the 1990s, he spent a decade in an executive technical role for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Swatkowski continues to serve on the Engineering Advisory Board of APPLIANCE magazine, as he has since 1998. He holds MBA, Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology degrees from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL.

Singh promoted at KMS

Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. has promoted Manwinder (Manny) Singh to Senior Vice President, Technology. He will be responsible for KMS’ full range of product research and development activities, including functional groups responsible for research and development, quality and reliability, and process engineering and design. Based at KMS headquarters in Wilmington, MA, he joined the company in April 2010 as Vice President of Technology Product Management. Previously, Singh held engineering and managerial positions at ZENON/GE Water and Process Technologies. He holds a Master’s Degree in civil engineering from University of Toronto.

Mattson named to Water-Right team

Water-Right, Inc. announced the addition of Emily Mattson as Marketing Assistant. She has more than nine years experience in marketing communications, graphic design and pre-press production. In her role, Mattson will help carry out the company’s marketing efforts, as well as taking the lead on public relations initiatives. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science Degree in journalism with an emphasis on public relations.