Garcia, Parsons appointed to Watts management positions
Watts Water has appointed Guillermo Garcia, CWS-3, Outside Sales Manager for the Western Region of Watts’ Water Quality Division. A 13-year veteran of the water industry, he previously served as an Inside Sales Representative and provided customer service tech support for the Western Region, where he successfully secured and helped grow key Watts accounts. Peter Parsons joined the company as National Product Training Manager– Americas, responsible for the development of a comprehensive product training strategy for the Americas. This includes creating both online and in-person training programs, developing training facilities, identifying required resources and developing a consistent curriculum for individuals conducting training in the field. Parsons has more than 30 years of training experience and program leadership within global companies. He received certifications in electronics, cryptography and instructional design from the US Navy.
Essery new Branch Manager for Charger
Phil Essery has been appointed Branch Manager at Charger’s newest office in Phoenix, AZ, which opened in April. The 30-year water industry veteran has held a variety of management positions and brings a wealth of experience in service, installation and sales to Charger. Essery may be reached at the branch by phone, (844) 249-3081 (toll-free) or (623) 388-4837.
GE’s Exton named to WEF board
GE announced the appointment of Ralph Exton to serve as 2014-2015 Treasurer on the Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF). He was first elected to WEF’s Board of Trustees in 2012. Exton has extensive experience in various leadership, business and international roles and has more than 27 years of advanced water treatment, water purification and reuse experience. In his current role as the Chief Marketing Officer of Water and Process Technologies for GE Power & Water, Exton provides strategic leadership and program direction for the business’ marketing activities and sustainability efforts. He is an ambassador for ecomagination and the leader of the Water for Humanity program for GE. Exton is also the Business Program Manager for the GE Experienced Commercial Leadership Program designed to attract, retain and grow a diverse and global population of future sales and marketing leaders for GE businesses.
Zenith International Directors named
Zenith International has announced the appointment of two new directors. Paul Thomson, formerly head of Water & Environment, became Water & Environment Director on October 1. A widely respected hydrogeologist, Thomson is a specialist in water source development, protection and management. Gordon Robinson, formerly Operations Consulting Manager, was appointed Regional Director–Middle East and Africa on July 1. He moved to Dubai in May 2013 to manage a food factory building project and to lead other client projects involving market feasibility, production efficiency and construction planning.
Allen named Water Center Executive Director
The Desert Research Institute has named Nathan Allen as Executive Director of the Nevada Water Center of Excellence (COE). Prior to joining DRI, Allen served as CEO and Principal of TerraSwell, which he founded in response to environmental science and sustainability challenges encountered in the field. His experience in applied science includes previous positions as a Research Scientist and also as a Coordinator of Sustainability for the University of Arizona Biosphere 2. Allen serves on the US Green Buildings Council Arizona Chapter Board, and sits on the boards of both the Farm Education Resource Network and the Agrarian Freedom Project. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from Simpson College and a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Arizona.
Shimkus appointed WSSCC Director
The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) announced David Shimkus has joined the Global Sanitation Fund as its new Program Director, bringing to the fund over 15 years of experience in international health and development. He will oversee ongoing efforts to support community-led sanitation programs in developing countries. Shimkus joins WSSCC from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), where he served as Senior Manager of Global Health Partnerships, providing financial and programmatic oversight for collaborations between UNOPS and major global health organizations.
Braun appointed Minnesota Rubber CEO
Quadion LLC , which does business as Minnesota Rubber & Plastics, appointed Marlin Braun as its CEO in January, succeeding Jim Lande, who retired from Quadion after serving as CEO since 1985. Prior to joining the firm, Braun worked at Greene, Tweed Co., VEECO Instruments Inc. and Perkin Elmer Inc.