WC137 JulyAug 2024 - Magazine - Page 38
PEOPLE
Canadian Municipal Water Consortium
launches Strategic Advisory Committee
The Canadian Municipal Water Consortium, a national network
of leaders from 26 utilities who share a common goal of advancing
municipal water management, has launched a Strategic Advisory
Committee. The strategic advisory committee supports greater
alignment between the consortium’s priorities and members’ needs.
Members of the inaugural 2024/2025 committee include:
Alicia Fraser, General Manager of Integrated Water
Services at Capital Regional District: As the general
manager of integrated water services, Alicia is
responsible for the operation, maintenance,
infrastructure engineering and capital improvements for
the regional water and wastewater systems in the CRD.
She is also responsible for the water and wastewater systems in the
local service areas of the CRD.
Kenda MacKenzie, Acting General Manager/CEO of
Haliax Water: Kenda is currently acting general manager/
CEO for Halifax Water. She is responsible for more than
600 employees who manage water, wastewater and
stormwater services for Halifax. Before taking on her
current role, Kenda was the director of regulatory
compliance services.
Russ Munro, Director at Saskatoon Water: Russ has
worked in the water industry for more than 15 years.
Currently, he is the director of Saskatoon Water. He is
also a Professional Engineering and Maintenance
Management Professional. Russ holds a Master of
Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Engineering. He also holds certification as a class four
operator.
Gen Nielsen, Director of Water Facilities and Treatment
Services at the City of Ottawa: Gen is a water and
wastewater professional with over 20 years of
experience. She has worked in both the public and
private sectors. Gen has been with the City of Ottawa for
14 years. During her career, she has led the development
and implementation of the city’s large-diameter watermain, trunk sewer
and forcemain condition assessment programs, capital planning and
asset management. Gen has also done modelling work and, most
recently, water and wastewater operations.
Dave Szeptycki, Director of Sustainability,
Communications, and Innovation at York Region: Gen is a
water and wastewater professional with over 20 years of
experience. She has worked in both the public and
private sectors. Gen has been with the City of Ottawa for
14 years. During her career, she has led the development
and implementation of the city’s large-diameter watermain, trunk sewer
and forcemain condition assessment programs, capital planning and
asset management. Gen has also done modelling work and, most
recently, water and wastewater operations.
38
WATER C AN ADA • JULY/AUGUS T 2024
Exton in as New WEF Executive Director
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has announced
the appointment of Ralph Erik Exton as its new Executive
Director, effective July 15, 2024.
“The Board of Trustees is excited for Ralph to take the
helm of WEF,” said WEF Board President, Aimeé Killeen.
“Ralph brings years of strategic leadership and business
experience to the organization, which we know will be a great step forward
in ringing in our 100-year anniversary and beyond.”
Exton joins WEF from Grundfos, where he served as the water
utility vice president and chief marketing officer. Prior to his tenure at
Grundfos, Exton accumulated nearly three decades of experience at other
distinguished companies in the sector, including Suez, Veolia, and GE
Water & Process Technologies.
Beyond his professional career, Exton has been a key WEF volunteer
with over a decade of service. He served on WEF’s Board of Trustees for
five years, holding the position of Treasurer/Officer for three consecutive
years and chairing the audit committee. Additionally, Exton was a member
of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Board Committee and was
nominated to join the WEF Circular Water Economy Summit Advisory
Committee. In recognition of his significant contributions, he was honored
with the esteemed WEF Fellow Award in October 2023 for his commitment
to advancing the global water environment.
“I have been honored to serve the WEF community for many years
and have developed a passion for this organization,” said Exton. “My goal
as WEF’s executive director is to reinforce its position as a leader and
convener in the water sector, enhancing its impact on global water issues.”
He continued, “We’ll prioritize the needs of the communities WEF serves
through sustainable solutions, purpose-driven partnerships, innovative
technologies, exceptional customer service, and unwavering integrity and
accountability.”
Killeen emphasized Exton’s role in achieving WEF’s strategic goals.
“Ralph will be a pivotal part of steering WEF through the next phase of
its strategic plan, aligning with the organization’s vision of achieving a
‘life free of water challenges,’” she said. “He – and WEF – remain firmly
committed to our mission of inspiring the water community in pursuit of
human and environmental well-being.”
McNair Appointed as WSP Sector Leader
Corey McNair, WSP in Canada’s (WSP) Senior Vice
President – Environment for Ontario and Atlantic, has been
promoted to Sector Leader for Earth and Environment (E&E).
Mr. McNair originally joined WSP in 2019 as the
company’s Vice-President – Transportation, Major Projects.
He transitioned into the Senior Vice-President role in 2021.
In his new role, McNair will be responsible for overseeing all Earth and
Environment operations in Canada, leading a team of over 4,000 highlyskilled professionals across the country.
“Corey has a proven track record of putting people first to drive growth,
develop new markets and foster an engaging team culture,” said MarieClaude Dumas, President and CEO of WSP in Canada. “He also played a key
role over the last three years in the expansion of the E&E sector.”
McNair holds a Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering from Western
University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Ivey Business
School at Western University.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
