AWT elects new president

ROCKVILLE, MD, Nov. 21, 2007 -- The Association of Water Technologies (AWT) has installed its new president. Matt Copthorne, CWT, of Chemtech Inc. in Canton, Ohio, began his one-year term as president, which runs through Nov. 2008, at the AWT Annual Convention in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Copthorne has risen up the ranks of AWT, serving on various committees and in leadership roles such as treasurer and as the president-elect. He has spent over 13 years in the water treatment industry. He received his undergraduate education in chemistry at the University of Akron. Specific areas of expertise include cooling, product selection/design, boiler, and wastewater.

"It is a great honor for me to serve as president of AWT," Copthorne said. "I'm confident that we can continue to grow as an organization through training, certification, regulatory and public awareness programs-all to advance the highest in professional standards, preserve natural resources and promote the growth and development of the association's member firms."

The other members of the 2008 Board of Directors are as follows: Scott W. Olson, CWT, president-elect; Jack R. Walker, secretary; Robert D. Lee, CWT, treasurer; Charles D. Hamrick, Jr., CWT, immediate past president; R. Trace Blackmore, CWT; Eric Fraser, CWT; Mark Juhl; Mary Stephens, CWT; Michael Standish, supplier representative.

Demonstrating the caliber of those who serve on the AWT Board of Directors, 9 out of the 10 voting members of the AWT Board have attained Certified Water Technologist (CWT) status. The CWT is the highest professional credential in the industrial and commercial water treatment field.

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