Schmidt promoted at A J Antunes
A.J. Antunes & Cohas promoted Daniel Schmidt to Business Development Manager – VIZION Products. He will be responsible for establishing and maintaining business relationships with current and potential customers, designing and recommending sales programs, setting up distribution, and serving as a liaison between the company and its customers for the VIZION Products. Schmidt will also work closely with the company’s design team to develop filtration equipment. Previously, he managed the selection and training of distributors for the ROUNDUP foodservice equipment and VIZION water treatment technologies within the Middle East and India. Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics with a concentration in international business.
WEF promotions announced
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced the promotion of Dr. Eileen O’Neill to the position of Deputy Executive Director and the promotion of Matthew Ries to Chief Technical Officer. O’Neill will focus on pursuing innovation opportunities and global and academic relations, as well as supporting WEF Executive Director Jeff Eger. Prior to joining WEF, she was a professor at a college of agriculture in the United Kingdom and worked for various environmental consultants in the United States and UK. She has a B.S. Degree in soil science from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (UK) and a Ph.D. in soil science from the University of Aberdeen (UK). O’Neill also undertook a post doctoral traineeship in Environmental Toxicology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and is the author of more than 25 book chapters, magazine articles, conference papers and peer-reviewed scientific papers.
Ries will fulfill many of the responsibilities formerly held by O’Neill, including oversight of technical programming and development for WEFTEC, as well as educational, training, periodicals, publications and web-based initiatives. He has been instrumental in launching the Federation’s sustainability and stormwater initiatives. In addition, Ries’ staff serves as liaisons to more than 20 technical committees and three communities of practice. Prior to joining WEF in 2005, Ries was a consultant in the planning, design, construction, and startup of water, wastewater, stormwater and industrial facilities. A registered professional engineer, he holds a B.S. Degree in civil engineering from Valparaiso University (IN), an M.S. Degree in environmental engineering from the University of Notre Dame (IN), and was recently admitted to the doctoral program at the University of South Florida.
Wilker named President, EcoWater Professional Products
Woodbury, MN-based EcoWater Systems LLC has named Chris Wilker as President, EcoWater Professional Products. He has over 25 years in the water treatment industry with leadership experience in product distribution, science and technology, industrial filtration and branded dealer organizations. Wilker will be shaping EcoWater Professional Products by leveraging its resources to support and grow the EcoWater dealer, wholesale and commercial businesses.
William H. Payne (1928-2011)
Founder of Payne Manufacturing Company (now Payne USA), William H. ‘Bill’ Payne, passed away December 9 at his home in Southaven, MS. He started making membrane housings for Arrowhead Water in Arcadia, CA in 1983. His company went on to supply parts for virtually all of the leading companies in the industry. Payne is best known as a supplier to companies that assembled and marketed reverse osmosis water purification systems. He is survived by his wife, Mary, four daughters and six grandchildren
Technical Review Committee 2012
Esteemed members of the Technical Review Committee provide insightful comment, technical direction and editorial support for the multitude of topics presented throughout the year. The Committee’s combination of expertise and knowledge assures that each technical article contains sound science and will be of value to our readers. The composition of this highly valued group of contributors changes based on the needs of the publication and the availability of the individual reviewers. At this time, several members are retiring, with the option of rejoining Technical Review, as their schedules warrant: Andrew Warnes, Gary Hatch Ph.D., Susan Rivera Ph.D., Shannon Murphy and Anat Kartaginer. In addition, Kelly Reynolds, MSPH, Ph.D., who assumed responsibilities as the Public Health Editor earlier in 2011, will also retire from the committee. Each of these dedicated members have made a personal and voluntary investment in helping to educate members of the water treatment industry through a host of venues: article reviews, presentations, seminars and writing solid technical articles for WC&P. We look forward to more of their contributions in the future and wish them well in all their endeavors.