Adam Zabinski is the 2008-2009 Immediate Past President of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va. After serving as First Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities and working for the department for twenty-eight years, he recently stepped down to devote full time to WEF activities.  As Deputy Commissioner, Adam was responsible for thirteen sewer districts, three water districts and the solid waste and recycling programs for Westchester County, New York. He began his career as a Sanitary Engineer with Onondaga County, New York.

A WEF member since 1976, he served on the Board of Trustees from 2003-2005, is chair of the Membership Committee, Vice-Chair of the Committee Leadership Council Management Focus Area, and a member of the Utility Management and Long Range Planning Committees.

In addition, Adam has been an active member of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) serving on the Board of Directors and as vice-president, president-elect, and president. He currently serves on the NYWEA Scholarship and Humanitarian Assistance Committees and is also a member of the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA).

Adam is a member of the WEF Quarter Century Operators Club, the NYWEA Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers and the Golden Manhole Society.

A recipient of WEF’s prestigious Arthur Sidney Bedell Award, Adam is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Grade 4A Certified Wastewater Operator in New York State. He received a B.S. in civil engineering from Columbia University and an M.S. in sanitary engineering from Cornell University.