Phil Guerin, MCWRS Executive Director

John Ikeda is the Chief Mission Officer for Water Environment Federation (WEF), a leading member association for the water sector, representing over 31,000 water professionals around the world. Mr. Ikeda is responsible for WEF’s portfolio of technical programs and publications. A global expert on finance, policy, and regulation for water, he was previously Practice Leader for water at Castalia, a strategy consulting firm for the infrastructure sectors. At Castalia, he led the development of national water sector strategies for several countries, and advised on the design of two large infrastructure funds.

Mr. Ikeda also worked in the World Bank’s Global Water Practice, where his focus was on private investment in water infrastructure. He holds a masters’ degree in economics and public policy from Harvard University, as well as an MBA in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This panel will explore methods that produce optimal results and innovative approaches used in the management of wastewater, stormwater and drinking water utilities. Panelists will discuss utility management trends and best practices, rate setting and financial modeling, innovative strategies for revenue enhancement and the challenges of operating small systems in today’s world.

Panelists include:

• Laurie Horridge, Executive Director, Narragansett Bay Commission

• Josh Schimmel, Executive Director, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission; President, MCWRS

• John Sullivan, Chief Engineer, Boston Water & Sewer Commission

This panel will discuss developing issues that are likely to impact wastewater, stormwater and drinking water utilities in the near future. Panelists will cover the use of AI in water utility operations, new water contaminants of concern, the future of water supply under reinterpreted and revised laws and regulations, and the impacts of new housing on water utilities.

Panelists inlude:

• Damon Guterman, Senior Analyst, MassDEP

• Jen Pederson, Executive Director, Massachusetts Water Works Association

Every year the Massachusetts Coalition for Water Resources Stewardship distributes two awards to people, organizations, and projects that embody the principles of the Coalition. Learn more about these awardsand submit a nomination by August 18.

Panelists will provide the latest on state and national legislation, regulation, policy and legal issues affecting the water sector.

Panelists include:

• Korrin Peterson, Of Counsel, Bowditch

• Beth Card, Senior Policy Advisor, Smith, Costello & Crawford

• Adam Krantz, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Clean Water Agencies

This showcase introduces some of the latest technological advances that can aid wastewater, stormwater and drinking water utilities in meeting the ever-expanding demands facing the water sector.

Panelists TBD

Phil Guerin, MCWRS Executive Director