FWQA Board members announced
The Florida Water Quality Association named Amanda Moore, CWS (Atlantic Filter–OEM Section), Michael Lester (Eco Water-Plant City–Dealer Section) and Todd Mosteller (Charger Water– OEM Section) to the 2015-2016 Board of Directors at its annual convention, held June 12. They will serve one-year terms and join the existing board members: President Cindy Schieber, MWS (Stenner Pump, Manufacturer Section); VP Jeremy Greene (FSHS, Manufacturer Section); Treasurer: Bill Certain, CWS (Certain Water, Dealer Section); Secretary Kenny Gibson, CWS (Absolute Water, Dealer Section); Government Affairs Phil Fralix, MWS (Mavea, Manufacturer Section) and Immediate Past President Stephen Payne, MWS, CWR, CI (Southern Water, Dealer Section).
Peeters appointed to steering committee
GE’s Jeff Peeters was recently appointed as a member of the Water Environment Research Foundation’s (WERF) and the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) LIFT Program Steering Committee. LIFT aims to accelerate the adoption of new and innovative technologies in the wastewater sector. Peeters will serve as an advisor to provide oversight and guidance to the program and its activities to help ensure it successfully achieves its goals and, ultimately, serves the water industry at a strategic level. He is a Professional Engineer with specific interest and knowledge in the application of biological remediation techniques and membrane technology for water and wastewater treatment challenges. Through his tenure at GE and formerly ZENON Environmental, Peeters has more than 15 years of experience with the development and commercialization of innovative technologies. He currently serves as Senior Product Manager with GE Power & Water.
Gonzalez named UV Pure Director of Sales
Jose Maria Gonzalez has joined the UV Pure global sales team as Director of Sales, Engineered Solutions to accelerate growth in the Latin America, Caribbean and Ontario regions. With more than 20 years of experience as a consultant and entrepreneur for environmentally focused technology companies, he is the ideal choice to lead the company’s expansion in these regions. Gonzalez recently played a key role in building acceptance for UV Pure systems as the preferred disinfection option for a communal wastewater reuse project near Bogota, Colombia. He will focus primarily on strengthening the company’s representative and dealer network to boost market awareness and availability of its products and systems. Gonzalez will also work closely with specifying engineers and the distribution network to facilitate design and integration of hose products into engineered systems and to ensure a high level of operational support for commissioned solutions.
Osmotik’s Joulakian honored
Mike Joulakian, Founder and CEO of Osmosis Technology, Inc. since 1984, was recognized and honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in May. He was selected out of thousands of nominations from across the nation as an American citizen who epitomizes a life dedicated to creating a better world, based on his integrity, passion, gravitas, humanitarian and ethnic heritage, fostering tolerance and preserving diversity. This distinguished award recognizes Joulakian’s extraordinary accomplishments, patriotism, humanitarianism and contributions reflecting his gratitude to America for the opportunity to realize his dreams. He preserves and celebrates the history, traditions and values of his ancestry, while exemplifying the values of the American way of life.
Lehtonen named IAPMO Senior VP
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has promoted Megan Lehtonen to Senior Vice President of International Business Development in recognition of her work integral to the IAPMO Group’s rapidly expanding global influence. Since joining IAPMO in 2010, she has managed operations at IAPMO Group offices in India and Australia, as well being integrally involved in IAPMO’s work in Indonesia. Within the past year, Lehtonen was instrumental in the release of the Uniform Illustrated Plumbing Code India, a first-of-its-kind document for the nation, doubling IAPMO Oceana’s GasMark certification business in Australia and New Zealand, and the release of SNI 8153:2015, Plumbing Systems for Buildings, the first Indonesian national standard for plumbing systems. A graduate of Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, Lehtonen spent the 11 years prior to joining IAPMO as president of Onni Inc. She received an outstanding achievement award from US EPA in March 2009 for GreenPlumbers USA’s contribution to environmental education and in September, was recognized by Contractor magazine as one of the most influential women in the mechanical contracting industry.
Koontz, Mehan assume new AWWA roles
In June, Gene Koontz accepted the American Water Works Association’s ceremonial gavel and began his one year term as President. He oversees the national water market for Gannett Fleming. An AWWA member since 1982, Koontz told the crowd he will build on several new AWWA initiatives, including the establishment of an office in India, the launch of the Community Engineering Corps, the introduction of the Water Equation Campaign and the expansion of AWWA’s Total Water Solutions® offerings. He said he will also concentrate on engaging students and young professionals to assure a healthy future for the water profession. Koontz has served as an active volunteer and leader within the AWWA Pennsylvania Section as well as on the broader association level, including many leadership positions within the Pennsylvania Section. AWWA CEO David LaFrance announced that water policy leader G. Tracy Mehan, III has been named AWWA’s Executive Director of Government Affairs. Mehan, currently serving as Interim Executive Director at the US Water Alliance and Source Water Coordinator for the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, is a highly regarded voice across the entire spectrum of water policy. His career includes service as Assistant Administrator for Water, US EPA and more recently as a principal for environmental consulting firm The Cadmus Group. An adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law and the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University, Mehan also has substantial experience in state water and environmental issues. He previously directed the Office of the Great Lakes for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Mehan also has experience working within the US-Canada bi-national policy framework on Great Lakes issues.
Kishel, Daly join Parsons
Parsons announced that Brian W. Daly has joined the company as Vice President and Alternative Project Delivery (APD) Manager of its Water Division. He will lead and help to identify and position the company for design-build, progressive design-build, design-build-operate (DBO), construction-management-at-risk and other APD opportunities. Daly has more than 22 years of experience in the water and wastewater, industrial waste and solid waste markets. Most recently, he was the North American Business Development Manager for the water design-build practice for a global firm specializing in architecture, design, engineering and construction services.
Jeffery Kishel joined the company as Vice President and Water Deputy Division Manager. He will assist the company’s environment and infrastructure business unit with global management of the Water Division, focusing and leading the team in business development and market growth strategy. Kishel, who is based in Miami, FL, has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and general management in engineering consulting and construction. He has extensive experience with startup and growth assignments for operations in the US, Canada and 21 other countries. Kishel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural engineering, a Master’s Degree in civil engineering (both from Montana State University) and a Juris Doctor Degree from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, CA. In addition, he is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s General Manager Program and is a licensed Professional Engineer in California and Colorado.
Wendling new Dosatron Regional Sales Manager
Dosatron International, Inc. has named Curtis Wendling Regional Sales Manager. He recently graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in marketing and was active in the National Strategic Selling Institute as a Key Account Manager, where he helped create a system designed to help students succeed at university career fairs. Wendling will be working out of the Clearwater, FL corporate offices. To speak with Curtis, or for more information, contact Dosatron International at (800) 523-8499 or visit the website at www.dosatronusa.com.
AMTA fellowships announced
The American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) announced three students have been awarded the ADC Fellowship Awards for 2015. AMTA received a number of highly qualified submittals in June and after committee review, the following graduate students were chosen to receive part of the $10,000 (USD) allocated for this annual award: Samantha Jeffery, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL; Sarah Dischinger, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO and Paula Monaco, Texas Tech University at Lubbock, TX. Each recipient will attend the 2016 Membrane Technology Conference and Exposition (MTC) and personally present their work as a paper or poster presentations. The award monies are intended to support their research and to provide financial assistance for travel expenses related to the MTC attendance.
Smith elected CIPH Board Chai
At the 83rd Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) held in June, Siân Smith, Senior Director, Procurement and Pricing, Noble Corp., was elected as the 2015/2016 Board Chair of CIPH. She began her career in the industry in 1999, joining Emco Corporation. In 2007, Smith was named VP Procurement and in 2013, joined Noble. She has been an active contributor on the CIPH Board of Directors since 2009, serving as Chair of the Membership Committee and as Chair of the successful ‘Elevating our Passion’ Annual Conference held in 2014 in Kelowna, BC. Smith is the first female Chair of CIPH and also holds the distinction of being the youngest Board Chair of the Institute.