→ 36 years old, Vice President of Engineering at e-sens Inc., Salt Lake City, UT

As Vice President of Engineering at e-sens Inc., Jason Castillo is redefining how utilities monitor water quality. A multidisciplinary innovator, he has led the development of three new product lines built on a novel semiconductor platform that eliminates the need for reagents, calibration, and manual sample preparation. His work on next-generation instrumentation, including the fully automated ROAM device, is helping modernize water testing with faster, more reliable results. Jason’s hands-on leadership spans design, electronics, and product iteration — an uncommon breadth that has accelerated innovation within a startup environment. His contributions have already earned Top 10 Innovation recognition from Isle Utilities’ Technology Assessment Group. By challenging conventional approaches and delivering practical, scalable solutions, Jason is pushing the industry toward smarter, more efficient water quality monitoring.

29 years old, Finance Manager at El Dorado Irrigation District, Placerville, CA ←

Madison Franklin has rapidly emerged as a trusted financial leader at El Dorado Irrigation District, where she oversees complex fiscal operations supporting essential water services. Stepping into leadership during a period of executive transition, she ensured continuity while strengthening financial controls and transparency. Madison plays a key role in managing a $111.9 million operating budget and a multi-year capital improvement plan, helping guide long-term infrastructure investment and sustainability. She has modernized budget development processes and contributed to the implementation of a district-wide ERP system, improving efficiency and accountability. Known for her clear communication and sound judgment, she regularly presents financial strategies to leadership and the Board. Her commitment to public finance excellence extends beyond her agency through national-level volunteer work advancing best practices in budgeting.

→ 34 years old, Principal R&D Engineer at Arq, Inc., Greenwood Village, CO

Micala Mitchek is advancing the science of water treatment through innovative research and product development at Arq, Inc. Rising from intern to Principal R&D Engineer, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the application of activated carbon technologies for drinking water and environmental remediation. Her work has deepened industry understanding of contaminant removal, particularly for PFAS, through the development of advanced testing methods and predictive modeling tools. Micala has helped bring new products to market while contributing to foundational research alongside leading academic institutions. Her ability to bridge scientific rigor with real-world application has made her a key driver of innovation in treatment solutions. Through her technical leadership and collaborative research, she continues to shape more effective approaches to emerging water quality challenges.

28 years old, Associate Engineer at Stockton East Water District, Stockton, CA ←

Gianna O’Day is helping shape a more sustainable water future in California through her work at Stockton East Water District. As an Associate Engineer, she has contributed to major initiatives that improve water supply reliability, groundwater sustainability, and watershed resilience. Gianna played a key role in securing more than $23 million in grant funding, enabling critical infrastructure and resource management projects. She has also supported the implementation of an in-lieu recharge program that significantly reduces groundwater pumping while strengthening basin health. Her contributions to the Calaveras River Watershed Resilience Plan reflect her ability to integrate technical analysis with collaborative planning. By connecting engineering expertise with funding strategy and stakeholder engagement, Gianna is delivering practical solutions that benefit both communities and ecosystems.

→ 37 years old, Senior Project Director at McCarthy Building Companies, Overland Park, KS

Kerry Klausner is a leader in delivering complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects, known for his steady leadership during high-stakes startup and commissioning phases. As a Senior Project Director at McCarthy Building Companies, he has contributed to more than $1 billion in project work, helping utilities bring critical treatment facilities online. Kerry champions collaborative delivery models that align owners, engineers, and builders, improving project outcomes and team performance. His work on major projects, including the Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility expansion, has helped grow high-performing teams and expand capabilities across regions. Equally focused on people, Kerry is recognized for mentoring emerging leaders and building teams that thrive long after projects are complete. His leadership strengthens both infrastructure and the professionals behind it.

39 years old, Director, Water/Wastewater at Halff, Fayetteville, AK

Ashley Pifer, Ph.D., PE, is a nationally recognized expert in water quality and distribution systems, bringing both technical depth and practical impact to utilities across the country. As Director of Water/Wastewater at Halff, she specializes in disinfection, regulatory compliance, and treatment optimization. Her work has helped systems address complex challenges such as disinfection byproducts, nitrification, and lead and copper rule compliance. Ashley has guided utilities through evolving regulations, including service line inventories and compliance strategies, improving public health outcomes nationwide. Beyond her project work, she contributes to the advancement of the industry through leadership roles with the American Water Works Association and by helping shape key guidance documents. Her combination of research, application, and education continues to influence water quality practices at a national level.

39 years old, Deputy Director of Public Utilities at Department of Public Utilities, City of Perrysburg, OH ←

AJ Coleman brings strategic leadership and operational excellence to his role as Deputy Director of Public Utilities for the City of Perrysburg. He oversees water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, driving initiatives that strengthen regulatory compliance, asset management, and long-term infrastructure planning. AJ led the implementation of advanced asset management systems and authored the city’s CMOM program, improving data-driven decision-making across the utility. He also spearheaded the creation of a stormwater utility and secured funding for major treatment plant improvements, reducing financial impact on ratepayers. Known for his collaborative approach, AJ works across departments and with the public to build trust and transparency around critical infrastructure projects. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to resilient systems, responsible resource management, and community service.

→ 3 years in the water industry, Founder and Director of Technology at Onestep Technologies Inc., Vancouver, BC

Hao Zhang is bringing fresh innovation to water quality monitoring as the founder of Onestep Technologies. In just a few years in the industry, he has developed a novel platform for online free chlorine analysis, combining stabilized reagent chemistry with a kinetic, slope-based measurement approach. His work addresses longstanding challenges in continuous monitoring by reducing maintenance requirements and improving analytical reliability. Hao has secured a water-related patent and advanced additional filings, while successfully moving his technology from concept to early-stage deployment in water treatment plants. Through technical publications and industry outreach, he is helping introduce new methodologies to a field traditionally dominated by conventional techniques. His entrepreneurial and scientific leadership is accelerating the evolution of real-time water quality monitoring.

39 years old, Asset Management Supervisor at Skagit Public Utility District, Mount Vernon, WA ←

Cort Wilson has transformed how Skagit Public Utility District uses data to manage its infrastructure. Starting as a mapping technician, he built the district’s asset management program into a fully integrated system that now drives decision-making across operations, engineering, and finance. By combining GIS, asset data, and financial information, Cort has enabled more strategic, evidence-based investments in critical infrastructure. Equally important, he earned the trust of field crews by working alongside them and improving how data is collected and used in daily operations. Under his leadership, the utility has expanded into advanced tools such as drone data collection and predictive analytics applications. Cort’s work demonstrates that successful technology implementation depends not just on systems, but on people — and he excels at both.

→ 34 years old, Team Leader, Water Treatment - North Carolina at GHD, Charlotte, NC

Will Allen is a dynamic leader in water treatment, guiding complex projects and client relationships across North America for GHD. As Team Leader for Water Treatment in North Carolina and Service Line Coordinator for desalination, he oversees multimillion-dollar projects with a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach. Will has built a reputation for technical excellence and innovation, contributing to industry knowledge through publications and presentations on topics ranging from residuals reuse to climate resilience. He plays a key role in advancing alternative delivery methods, including progressive design-build projects, helping utilities achieve efficient and effective outcomes. Active in multiple professional organizations, Will is also committed to mentoring the next generation of water professionals. His leadership continues to strengthen both project delivery and industry collaboration.