MILWAUKEE, Wis. (April 15, 2020) – The Water Council today announced the election of five new members to its board of directors. The recently elected board members bring expertise from various aspects of the water cycle as well as business development. The new board members include Ken Bockhorst, Karen Dettmer, Melissa (Missy) Hughes, Elizabeth Koehler and Mark Roehl.
“We are extremely fortunate to welcome five individuals who lead water technology businesses, Wisconsin’s economic development organization, Milwaukee’s drinking water utility and one of our state’s well-respected environmental organizations,” said Jim Stern, executive vice president of A. O. Smith Corporation and co-chair of The Water Council Board of Directors. “With the addition of these respected individuals to our established Board we also expect to expand our impact and alignment across Wisconsin, the United States and globally.”
“As we closed out 2019, several long-term board members stepped down from their outstanding service to The Water Council as they retired or left their current employers, which presented us the unique opportunity to welcome a sizeable and diverse group of highly talented professionals,” said Todd Adams, president and CEO of Rexnord Corporation and co-chair of The Water Council Board of Directors.
Ken Bockhorst is chairman, president & chief executive officer at Badger Meter. He joined the company in October 2017 as chief operating officer and was promoted to president and chief executive officer January 1, 2019 and chairman of the board January 1, 2020. Ken has 20-plus years of experience in global operations management. Prior to joining Badger Meter, he served at Actuant Corporation for six years, most recently as executive vice president of the energy segment. His career also includes product management and operational leadership roles at IDEX Corporation and Eaton Corporation.
Karen Dettmer is superintendent of the Milwaukee Water Works. She oversees all operations of the utility and over 350 professionals in the plants, distribution, business, engineering and water quality sections. Milwaukee Water Works provides drinking water from Lake Michigan to over 860,000 people in 16 communities in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha Counties. Karen is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin and also serves on the Menomonee Valley Partners Board and as a member of the Wisconsin Brownfields Study Group.
Melissa (Missy) Hughes is secretary and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Wisconsin’s lead economic development organization. Before joining WEDC in October 2019, she was general counsel and chief mission officer at Organic Valley. Her previous positions include associate attorney at the firm of Holland & Hart, where she practiced in the areas of natural resources, construction litigation and corporate business transactions. Missy served on the boards of the Environmental Working Group and the Organic Trade Association, where she was a three-term board president. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture appointed her to the USDA Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Biotechnology in the 21st Century.
Elizabeth Koehler is the Wisconsin state director of The Nature Conservancy, leading a team of professional and volunteer conservation scientists, practitioners, fundraisers, policy experts and advocates working to protect land and water through targeted action and productive partnerships. A lifelong lover of Wisconsin, Elizabeth joined The Nature Conservancy in 2000 as a member of the philanthropy team and served most recently as deputy state director. She also co-led the effort to create a new three-year strategic plan (2020-2023) for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin that will guide the chapter’s efforts to partner with others in tackling the most urgent conservation challenges facing people and nature.
Marc Roehl is vice president and general manager for the Municipal Wastewater Technologies Segment, Evoqua Water Technologies. Marc has 25 years of water industry experience in developing wastewater treatment solutions for both municipal and industrial customers. He leads the Wastewater Technologies Division for Evoqua Water Technologies, which supports customers across North America and around the globe with process equipment solutions built around biological treatment, clarification, filtration, odor control, sludge treatment and installation services.
The individuals were elected at the first-quarter board meeting held on February 13, 2020 at The Global Water Center in Milwaukee. “Each of these individuals brings a deep understanding of the critical importance of water. I’m thrilled to have their insight and leadership as we continue to champion growth in the world’s freshwater hub,” said Dean Amhaus, president and chief executive officer of The Water Council.
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About The Water Council
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA next to the world’s largest freshwater system and home to one of the most influential freshwater technology hubs in the world, The Water Council (TWC) is recognized as a global center for advancing water technologies and stewardship. At its heart, TWC is a nonprofit, membership organization that connects, convenes and showcases the hub comprised of more than 238 water technology businesses and the diverse water leadership network of 200 members it is linked to from around the world. While TWC’s mission is centered on driving economic development, attracting and connecting world-class talent and supporting water-focused technology innovation, its larger goal is to help secure freshwater resources for the world by driving solutions to the numerous industries that need and use a large amount of water. For more information, visit www.thewatercouncil.com.