BOSTON, MA, Jan. 21, 2009 -- R. W. Beck has acquired the assets and expert knowledge of Don Schlenger and Cognyst Consulting, LLC, a firm that supports utilities in implementing customer service technologies, with a specialization in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Automated Meter Reading (AMR). The acquisition broadens R. W. Beck's utility business consulting expertise.
Joining R. W. Beck as Vice President, Don Schlenger is a former water utility executive and customer service technology and processes expert with more than 33 years of industry experience. Dr. Schlenger was founder and former Executive Director of Utilimetrics (formerly the Automatic Meter Reading Association). He serves on several water and metering industry committees and boards. Another new team member, Senior Consultant Jay Haas, is former Chief of Operations for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Customer Service. In that role, he coordinated to implement the department's metering program and oversaw the deployment of its first customer information system for a service population of 8,000,000.
"R. W. Beck has a proven track record in program management and delivery as well as financial acumen," says Dr. Schlenger. "Our combined technical and business insights will expand our capabilities and ability to provide innovative and effective solutions for our client partners."
"Integrating their advanced metering and customer service expertise into R. W. Beck dramatically strengthens our ability to support utility clients looking to improve operations and maximize resource utilization," says Stephen Gates, Senior Vice President at R. W. Beck. "Our AMI/AMR consulting services benefited significantly from the acquisition of Plexus Research two years ago. Don and his team will bring another dimension and complementary expertise in this area to ensure the delivery of quality business solutions."
Cognyst Consulting has provided advanced metering expertise and project support to numerous municipal water utilities, including those of Cincinnati, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Honolulu, San Diego, Atlanta, Kansas City and Cleveland, and is involved in a Water Research Foundation research project.
R. W. Beck is a group of technically based business consultants serving public and private infrastructure organizations and financiers worldwide.
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