a remarkable journey: reflecting on 15 years with the water council
By Dean Amhaus, President & CEO
In just a few short weeks, I will celebrate 15 incredible years leading The Water Council—an experience that has been both remarkable and deeply rewarding, far surpassing anything I could have imagined. However, the time has come to pass the reins to the next leader as I announce my retirement.
Long before The Water Council existed, I vividly remember sitting next to Julia Taylor, former President of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, as we listened to a presentation on the Milwaukee region’s industry strengths. Among them was an overlooked gem—our region’s expertise in water technology. Julia and I exchanged a glance and whispered, “I wonder what we could do with this industry to create a unique brand for Milwaukee.”
As fate would have it, two visionary water technology CEOs in Milwaukee—Rich Meeusen, formerly of Badger Meter, and Paul Jones, formerly of A. O. Smith—had made the same discovery. They brought their ideas to Julia, and together, we combined efforts. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, those original founders have retired, and now, I have the opportunity to join the retirement club.
Leading The Water Council from its inception to its position as a global leader has been the honor of a lifetime. This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of my fellow early co-founders, an outstanding board of directors composed of national and global industry and academic leaders, our many partners and friends across the world, and, of course, a tireless team committed to establishing Milwaukee as a world-class water hub.
There are countless stories from this journey and so many people who played essential roles in shaping The Water Council into what it is today. Please know how much I appreciate your contributions. You know who you are, and I am deeply grateful.
It is incredibly rewarding to reflect on the impact The Water Council has made—seeing students who were inspired by our mission 15 years ago grow into accomplished professionals tackling global water challenges. Watching startup entrepreneurs transform ideas into thriving businesses, corporations that found that talent I just mentioned or discovered new technologies, and the water-intensive businesses successfully managing their resources and mitigating risks.
In the coming weeks, our Board of Directors will begin the search for the next President & CEO to lead The Water Council into its next chapter. I look forward to working alongside this individual for a period of transition, ensuring a smooth handover as the organization moves toward an even brighter future.
While I step away from this leadership role, my commitment to protecting our most precious resource remains steadfast. I also look forward to having more time to enjoy those very resources—both in Milwaukee and beyond. Most of all, I am excited to watch and support The Water Council as it continues to make a real difference in the world, building upon its legacy and reinforcing Milwaukee as the place Where Water Works.
Thank you all for being part of this extraordinary journey.