In other news:
-- Yeckes named to board of Freshwater Technologies
-- Stephenson joins Pionetics as CEO
-- Pure Cycle Corp. adds Howell to board
-- Met-Pro names GM of Stiles-Kem Division, Pristine Hydrochemical unit
-- Strategic Diagnostics names Simonetta as CFO
-- Pentair promotes Cathcart to vice chairman
-- Great Lakes Chemical names VP of investor relations
-- Insituform Technologies promotes Farman to Sr. VP, CFO
-- Texas water rights authority, president of WaterTexas joins Winstead...
Brown and Caldwell's Leonard re-elected as AWWA vice president
ATLANTA, Feb. 10, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The American Water Works Association recently announced that Mike Leonard, client services manager at environmental engineering firm Brown and Caldwell, will return as vice president of the association for a second one-year term starting in June.
Since joining AWWA in 1974, Leonard has served as Georgia section chair and vice-chair, trustee, and section director. He also chaired the Georgia-South Carolina Joint Technology Conference, as well as section membership, scholarship, financial audit and plant of the year awards committees. In addition, Leonard has held offices on AWWA's legislative, Water for People and Young Professional committees. He is also a past member of AWWA's Board of Directors.
An environmental professional with 35 years' experience in the federal and municipal water markets, Leonard specializes in regulatory, procurement, asset management and advisory services. At Brown and Caldwell, he helps water and wastewater utilities become more competitive by effectively balancing cost, service and environmental protection.
Prior to joining Brown and Caldwell, Leonard served as the general manager and chief administrative officer of the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission for 14 years. He also has worked for the U.S. EPA and the City of Atlanta Water Bureau. Leonard holds bachelor's degrees in chemistry and industrial management and is a member of the Georgia Water & Pollution Control Association.
Established in 1947, Brown and Caldwell is a multi-disciplined environmental engineering and consulting firm. The employee-owned company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., and employs more than 1,200 people in 45 offices nationwide. Engineering News-Record ranks Brown and Caldwell 54th among the nation's top 500 engineering firms and 9th largest in the Sewer/Waste market.
Yeckes appointed to board of Freshwater Technologies Inc.
NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- International Development Corp. has appointed Cliff Yeckes to the board of directors of its wholly owned subsidiary FreshWater Technologies Inc., a Nevada corporation.
FWTI President Bob Glassen stated, "Cliff Yeckes brings 23 years of technical expertise and executive Management to FWTI. He has extensive leadership skills in business development and consulting. His expertise in operational management, and business practice development are key characteristics to his success in helping commercial, legal, industrial, municipal and Federal sector clients address their water resource, environmental, engineering, geologic hazards and mining issues. Cliff is well respected in North America and the Caribbean by private industry and government for his widespread experience minimizing business liability and risk for business and property acquisitions, and construction projects arising from environmental, natural hazard, mining and water resource related matters. FreshWater Technologies is pleased to have Cliff join our Board."
Most recently, Yeckes was environmental director of retail operations for Flying J Inc., a $5 billion privately traded, and fully integrated petroleum company. At Flying J, he was responsible for identifying and managing the environmental liabilities, risks, and exposures at retail facilities nationwide and in Canada. Prior to this, he was vice president and Northwest Region Environmental Practice Leader for Brown and Caldwell where his experience included supporting the Sundance Resort in assessing and managing their water resources. From 1991 to 2001, Yeckes was in executive management positions for environmental and civil engineering consulting firms that provided services to clients in oil and gas, manufacturing and distribution, mining, energy; municipal, state and federal government, development and construction including nationally recognized public firms such as Harding Lawson Associates, Inc. From 1985 to 1991, he was a senior hydrogeologist with O.H. Materials Corp., a firm specializing in hazardous waste remediation projects. He started his professional career in 1980 as a staff geologist for Oracle Ridge Mining Partners.
Yeckes holds an MBA degree from the University of Utah and a bachelor's degree in geosciences from the University of Arizona. He completed graduate studies in hydrogeology and engineering geology at Georgia State University and Georgia Institute of Technology and is a Registered Professional Geologist in Florida, Utah and Tennessee and a Certified Environmental Manager in Nevada
Stephenson joins Pionetics as CEO
SAN CARLOS, CA, Feb. 10, 2005 (PRNewswire) -- Pionetics, a water purification solutions company, has appointed Mark Stephenson as CEO. Stephenson brings 25 years of experience in the water and test and measurement industries and in consumer products sales and marketing. He will lead Pionetics in bringing the company's technology to market later this year.
Stephenson has a long track record of success with start-up companies, and spent more than seven years in Fortune 500 sales and marketing roles. He previously served as president and CEO of BioQuest LLC, a water sanitizing solutions company, where he successfully took the company from concept to product commercialization. He has also served as president of Environmental Test Systems, where he grew the company from $2 million to $14 million in less than less than two years. While at ETS, Stephenson saw the company through its buy-out by Hach. Danaher Corporation purchased Hach in 2000, and Stephenson took on a larger role as vice president of key accounts for the entire Danaher water group.
"Mark brings strong leadership and sales experience to Pionetics," said Eric Nyberg, founder and CTO of Pionetics. "As Pionetics completes technology development and moves into product marketing, Mark's expertise will play a vital role in our market entry."
Pionetics recently completed $6.4 million in Series C funding that included investments from industry leaders EPCOR Water Services, Unilever Technology Ventures Fund BV, and investment powerhouses NGEN Partners, RockPort Capital Partners, Firelake Strategic Technology Fund, LP, Topspin Partners and Pangaea Venture Fund.
The company makes the world's most advanced water purification systems, delivering clean, soft water for residential and industrial use. The company's LINX(R) technology gives the consumer control over water taste through its patented Dial-a-Taste(TM) system, and its high-efficiency process produces higher water volume that eliminates the need for water storage tanks. Compared with conventional reverse osmosis systems, Pionetics systems are far smaller, deliver 400 percent more water per hour, waste only one tenth the water of traditional systems, and eliminate the need to add salt or other harmful chemicals.
Based in San Carlos, Calif., Pionetics (www.pionetics.com) develops and manufactures water purification products that improve water quality for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Pionetics' unique, proprietary ion-exchange membrane technology utilizes clean, efficient electricity for regeneration using simple electrochemical cells. The company's products selectively remove priority pollutants in drinking water, such as arsenic, nitrate, chromate and other harmful chemical ions, and soften water without the addition of salt. About a third the size of traditional water purification systems, these water efficient systems utilize a tenth the wastewater vs. traditional systems in the water purification process, and eliminate the need for hazardous chemicals for regeneration..
Pure Cycle Corp. adds Howell to board
THORNTON, CO, Feb. 8, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Pure Cycle Corp. has appointed Peter C. Howell to its board of directors. Howell was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board and will serve until the next Annual Shareholders Meeting.
"I believe Pure Cycle's shareholders will be well served by the addition of Howell, who brings a wealth of financial experience and leadership," said Mark W. Harding, President of Pure Cycle.
Howell has not been appointed to any Board committees as of the date of this release but is expected to be appointed to the Audit Committee.
From 1997 to present, Howell has served as an advisor to various business enterprises in the area of acquisitions, marketing and financial reporting. From August 1994 to August 1997, he served as the chairman and CEO of Signature Brands USA Inc. (formerly known as Health O'Meter) and, from 1989 to 1994, he was CEO and a director of Coffee Inc. He's a member of the board of directors of Libbey Inc., Global Lite Array and Great Lakes Cheese Company.
Pure Cycle Corp. (www.purecyclewater.com) owns water assets located in the Denver metropolitan area and on the western slope of Colorado. It provides water and wastewater services to customers located in the Denver area and provides services such as the design, construction, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems. We also own patented water recycling technologies which are capable of processing wastewater into potable drinking water.
Met-Pro names GM of Stiles-Kem Division, Pristine Hydrochemical unit
HARLEYSVILLE, PA, Feb. 4, 2005 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Met-Pro Corp. has appointed Vincent J. Verdone as general manager of the company's Stiles-Kem Division and Pristine Hydrochemical Inc. subsidiary.
Verdone received a bachelor's degree with a major in biological science and a minor in chemistry from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in international business with a major in finance from Roosevelt University. He has over 25 years of experience in the specialty chemicals market with particular expertise in industrial, commercial and municipal applications for domestic and international markets.
Stiles-Kem and Pristine Hydrochemical provide proprietary chemicals for the treatment of municipal drinking water systems and boiler and cooling tower systems. Stiles-Kem products reduce iron, manganese, lead and copper levels in potable water systems, as well as reducing corrosion, scaling and microbiological levels in all water systems. Pristine Hydrochemical provides products for improving water clarity while reducing sludge volume and trihalo-methane levels within a water system.
Met-Pro Corp. (www.met-pro.com), based in Harleysville, Pa., manufactures and sells product recovery and pollution control equipment for purification of air and liquids and fluid handling equipment for corrosive, abrasive and high temperature liquids. With 10 divisions and five wholly-owned subsidiaries, the company -- established in 1966 -- provides products to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal markets that include, but are not limited to, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, petrochemicals, water and aquariums.
Strategic Diagnostics names Simonetta as CFO
NEWARK, DE, Feb. 2, 2005 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Strategic Diagnostics Inc., a leading provider of antibody products and analytical test kits for the food-safety and water-quality markets, announced that Anthony J. Simonetta has joined SDI as its chief financial officer.
Simonetta worked for 28 years with KPMG, ascending to the role of partner in the Philadelphia office. During his last three years with KPMG, Simonetta, a Certified Public Accountant, managed the business advisory practice group, consulting with numerous KPMG clients on business development tactics and strategies. Prior to this assignment, Simonetta was an audit partner, serving both public and private clients in the development and execution of financial audit plans. He left KPMG in 2002 and has continued to consult with private clients on business development strategy and execution. Simonetta is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a graduate of Hofstra University. Simonetta also serves as Chairman of the Board for The Center for Autistic Children in Philadelphia.
SDI President Matthew Knight commented, "Attracting a candidate as qualified and experienced as Tony is a noteworthy achievement for our Company, and significantly enhances our management team. Tony's expertise in financial strategy and business development will play an integral role as we execute our growth strategy going forward. Tony will oversee each of our information- driven functions, including finance, accounting, information technology and human relations, and I am confident Tony will guide each of these functions in operating with efficient, well-defined processes. I'm thrilled to welcome Tony to the SDI team and look forward to a long and productive relationship."
Simonetta stated, "What is exciting about the SDI opportunity is how the Company is positioned to succeed in both the bio-services and bio- detection segments. SDI has an expertise in customized antibody production, a strong technology portfolio, broad spectrum of key diagnostic tests for the food safety and environmental sectors, and a blue chip customer list. The Company has done an excellent job managing cash flows and building operating leverage. I feel that my expertise will build on this foundation and increase the Company's ability to leverage more opportunities for growth. I am pleased to be a part of the team."
SDI (www.sdix.com) develops and markets biotechnology based detection solutions for a broad range of agricultural, industrial, environmental and water management applications. By leveraging its expertise in immunology, proteomics, bio-luminescence, and other bio-reactive technologies with innovative application and production capabilities, the Company is able to provide sophisticated diagnostic testing and immunoreagent systems to a diverse customer base serving multiple vertical markets. A comprehensive suite of detection products addresses the food safety and environmental sectors. SDI's test kits are produced in a variety of formats suitable for field and laboratory use, offering advantages of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, portability, and rapid response. The Strategic BioSolutions (SBS) division of SDI serves the Research, Human Diagnostic and pharmaceutical sectors with a wide range of services including complete outsourcing for the production of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies used in commercialized products offered by leading diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies.
Pentair promotes Cathcart to vice chairman
GOLDEN VALLEY, MN, Feb. 2, 2005 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Pentair has appointed Richard J. Cathcart as vice chairman of Pentair, effective immediately. Cathcart was president and chief operating office of Pentair's Water Group, a global leader in providing innovative products and systems used worldwide in the movement, treatment, storage and enjoyment of water. He will retain responsibility for the Water Group.
Cathcart's new responsibility is to lead Pentair's growth initiatives with principal focus on international and business development. Noting the importance of the new role, Hogan said, "Pentair successfully completed a remarkable transition in 2004 to focus on two attractive businesses -- water and enclosures -- that are global in nature. Pentair's vital next steps toward a high-growth, world-leading company are to develop new growth platforms and to seize opportunities in markets beyond North America. In addition, we remain an acquisitive organization. As vice chairman, Rick will join me in driving these essential efforts."
According to Cathcart, Pentair is focused in businesses that present significant growth opportunities and he will target them. "For example," he said, "one area of opportunity upon which we will focus is international sales. Today, our international sales are 23% of total sales. Through more concentrated efforts on new products, new markets and better penetration, we will increase that percentage to 40% over the next five years."
Cathcart added, "We must and we will realize Pentair's potential for growth. We will do so with the discipline and integrity with which we conduct business today. I am proud to accept this new role and excited to work with Randy and the senior leadership team to drive Pentair's next phase of growth."
"Rick is the right person for this mission," said Hogan. "He has proven his abilities to identify and power growth as he successfully led Pentair Water from a start-up in 1995 to a $2 billion global leader in 2004. In that time, he also demonstrated his strong leadership, sharp intellect and integrity. I have the highest regard for his capabilities and am pleased Rick has accepted this new challenge."
Citing the company's impressive fourth quarter and 2004 results, detailed in a separate announcement issued today, Hogan stated, "Pentair enters 2005 from a position of great strength. Our strategic repositioning -- coupled with double-digit growth and increased margins driven by good execution in our operating initiatives -- delivered total shareholder return of more than 90 percent in 2004. We will leverage our momentum and seize attractive new opportunities to strengthen shareholder value in 2005 and beyond."
Cathcart joined Pentair in 1995 as executive vice president for business development, and was named president and chief operating officer of the Water Group in 1996. Prior to Pentair, Cathcart was the vice president and general manager of Honeywell's Building Control division, a $1.6 billion global business. Before that, he held progressively significant leadership roles at Honeywell, including head of logistics and head of research and development for new technologies for the company's Industrial division.
Cathcart holds a bachelor's degree in engineering science from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During the Vietnam War, he flew more than 200 combat missions as a United States Air Force flight commander and served as an instructor pilot.
Pentair (www.pentair.com) is a diversified operating company headquartered in Minnesota. Its Water Group is a global leader in providing innovative products and systems used worldwide in the movement, treatment, storage and enjoyment of water. Pentair's Enclosures Group is a leader in the global enclosures market, designing and manufacturing standard, modified and custom enclosures that house and protect sensitive electronics and electrical components. With 2004 revenues of $2.28 billion, or $2.76 billion on a pro forma basis, Pentair has about 13,000 employees worldwide.
Great Lakes Chemical names VP of investor relations
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 2, 2005 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Great Lakes Chemical Corp., a leading producer of specialty chemicals and consumer products, has promoted Paul Britton to vice president of investor relations and financial planning and analysis. Britton replaces Jeffrey Potrzebowski who was elevated to the position of acting chief financial officer in November 2004.
Britton will oversee investor relations and all aspects of the company's forecasting, planning, and financial analysis activities.
Britton, a CPA, was previously assistant corporate controller for the company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2002. Prior to joining Great Lakes, Britton spent several years as director of financial reporting for TRW Inc. and 16 years with Ernst & Young in Cleveland, Ohio.
Great Lakes Chemical Corp. (www.greatlakeschem.com) is the world's leading producer of certain specialty chemicals for such applications as water treatment, household cleaners, flame retardants, polymer stabilizers, fire suppressants, and performance products.
Insituform Technologies promotes Farman to Sr. VP, CFO
CHESTERFIELD, MO, Feb. 1, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Insituform Technologies Inc. has promoted of Christian G. Farman to senior vice president and CFO. Farman, 46, joined Insituform in December 2003 as vice president and CFO.
"Under Chris's leadership, the finance function has been upgraded and energized, and the Company's financial reporting discipline has become more rigorous. He has strengthened the Company's relationships with third parties, including its vendors and creditors, and has also played a major role in realigning Insituform's cost structure and successfully managing working capital," commented Thomas S. Rooney, Jr., president and CEO.
Insituform Technologies Inc. (www.insituform.com) is a leading worldwide provider of proprietary technologies and services for rehabilitating sewer, water and other underground piping systems without digging and disruption.
Texas water rights authority, president of WaterTexas joins Winstead
AUSTIN, TX, Feb. 1, 2005 (PRNewswire) -- Winstead Consulting Group, the government relations affiliate of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., announced today that Lynn Sherman, one of Texas' foremost authorities on water resource development and water rights, has joined it as a member of the government affairs team.
Sherman brings a wealth of first-hand experience dealing with the legal, political, strategic, and practical issues of developing water supplies and cost-effective water and wastewater systems. Based in Winstead's Austin office, he significantly expands the firm's ability to serve both private and public clients in their efforts to seek, secure, access, and finance water supplies.
Sherman uniquely combines both legal and executive expertise. For 10 years he provided legal and political counsel to clients needing to acquire and protect water supplies. And, for the last five years, he has served as an executive for both public and private entities in the business of water resource development.
Before joining Winstead, Sherman helped found WaterTexas, the first privately funded company in Texas dedicated exclusively to the systematic development of wholesale ground water projects throughout the State. Prior to joining WaterTexas, Sherman served as an executive manager for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), where he played an important role in the expansion of LCRA's water supplies and its water transmission and distribution systems. Before LCRA, he served as a partner with the Austin law firm of Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever & McDaniel, where he represented both public and private clients primarily on water-related issues.
Throughout his career, Sherman has worked on many of the State's largest water projects, including among them the State's largest water rights purchases, wholesale water agreements and longest pipeline projects. He is best known for getting things done: locating available water resources, negotiating water supply and infrastructure agreements, and getting projects to completion.
"Locating and gaining access to abundant and readily available water supplies will continue to be a crucial issue for every Texas citizen and the State's economy," said Paul N. Wageman, chair of Winstead's Government Relations Practice and Winstead Consulting Group. "As the firm continues to enhance its capabilities to serve the water-related needs of our clients, Lynn's reputation and considerable experience with the legislative and regulatory policies surrounding water issues will be of great value to our private and public clients whose business interests rely on access to water supplies or water systems."
Sherman is also recognized as an authority on many of Texas' most important water-related issues, having researched and written on such topics as the origin and legal status of the rule of capture, the priority of multiple water rights in a single reservoir, and the legal constraints on the reuse of wastewater return flows.
Recently, Sherman co-authored an article in the Texas Tech Law Review which provides the most extensive analysis ever published on the legal foundation and 1,500 year history of the rule of capture. He also co-authored the "Water Development and Water Rights" section of the Texas Practice treatise, which is the premiere guide to special laws in Texas.
"There is no doubt that Lynn is Texas' leading authority on water systems," said David Hewlett, managing shareholder of Winstead's Austin office. "His addition not only adds depth to our Austin office, but his extensive knowledge on the subject of water and wastewater issues will help the firm to expand its position among the key public and private entities that participate and influence this critical element of our State's economy."
Winstead's team of government relations professionals and attorneys represent a wide range of corporate and association clients and large public entities who need to address issues and accomplish goals that are driven by government decision-making. The firm has developed a sophisticated local, state and federal government affairs practice that focuses on the confluence of business, government, and public policy.
Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. (www.winstead.com) is among the largest business law firms in Texas. With more than 320 attorneys, the firm provides regional, national and international clients access to a broad range of business legal services representing more than 30 practice areas. Winstead has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; and Washington D.C.
***
In addition, other PEOPLE news can be found at:
-- AWWA elects Rolan to serve as 2006 president
-- Ex-ExxonMobil Chemical chief named director of Nalco
-- ADS appoints new general manager for Accusonic
-- Earth Tech promotes Hickman to senior vice president
###
