MILWAUKEE, May 14, 2015 – The Water Council announced yesterday that Matt Howard has been hired as the first Director of the Alliance for Water Stewardship, North America. Last June, the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), a global collaboration of leaders in sustainable water resource management, announced The Water Council as the North American headquarters of AWS.
Matt Howard, who has served the City of Milwaukee as the Sustainability Director for the last five years, will begin working for The Water Council on June 8. As the Director of AWS North America, Howard will lead the development of The Water Council’s stewardship and sustainability initiatives.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the dynamic team at The Water Council. Water put Milwaukee on the map and now The Water Council and AWS North America will ensure the city’s flag is the global epicenter for water sustainability thought leadership and manufacturing,” Howard said. “We’ve taken fresh water for granted too long. When implemented at sites across North America, the new AWS Standard will change water stewardship for generations.”
The Alliance for Water Stewardship (www.allianceforwaterstewardship.org) is a multi-stakeholder international organization dedicated to enhancing water stewardship capacity, and guiding, incentivizing and differentiating responsible water use. AWS’s programs are designed to build capacity and provide a forum through which knowledge on water stewardship can be generated, accessed and shared, helping organizations and communities address our shared water challenges. At the heart of the program is the stakeholder-endorsed AWS Standard.
In 2010, Mayor Tom Barrett appointed Howard to position Milwaukee as a leader in environmental sustainability and performance in the 21st Century. In his role with the City, Howard has developed programs and policies that cut costs and promote the long-term sustainability of businesses, residents and municipal operations. Howard helped raise $100 million for City initiatives, oversaw programs that improved over 1,300 homes and 200 businesses in Milwaukee all while stimulating over $30 million in economic activity. He also led the development and release of Milwaukee’s first sustainability plan called ReFresh Milwaukee.
Previously, Howard created a national Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative while with the U.S. Department of Commerce, researched patents and innovation for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and served a special assignment at the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.
“We are extremely pleased to have Matt join our team as we help locations address their water issues through innovative technologies and novel water management approaches,” stated Dean Amhaus, president & CEO of The Water Council. “With the Western half of the United States seeking solutions for the ongoing drought Matt’s talents and experience could not come at a more important and pressing time.”
With nearly two decades of policy development, Howard is a LEED Green Associate and has his Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification. He graduated from The George Washington University with an M.A. in International Economic and Trade Policy and currently serves as an appointee on the federal government’s National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology.