Keith L. Hobson is President-elect and a member of the WEF Board of Trustees and a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

Keith is the former President and CEO of Fox Engineering Associates and currently a Project Manager with FOX Strand in Ames, Iowa, with more than 40 years of experience in environmental engineering as a consultant in the field of environmental engineering for both municipal and industrial clients. He also served with Black & Veatch for more than 13 years and has been involved in the design of water and wastewater treatment facilities ranging in capacity from 2 mgd to over 400 mgd.

A WEF member since college, he served as WEF Treasurer 2019-2023, as speaker of the House of Delegates (HOD) in 2018-2019 and served for two terms on the HOD as a representative of the Iowa Water Environment Association (IAWEA) and as a delegate at large. He has served as chair or vice chair of several workgroups and committees of the HOD, as well as chair of the WEF Audit and Finance committees. He also serves on the WEF Government Affairs Committee.

Keith has been an active member of IAWEA, serving on many committees, chairing the newsletter/publications committee and financial review committee and consulting with IDNR on regulatory issues. He also served as chair of the newsletter committee for the Kansas WEA prior to moving to Iowa. He has authored many reports and presented technical papers on various topics in environmental engineering.

Keith holds degrees in civil engineering from Iowa State University (B.S.) and University of Missouri-Columbia (M.S.). He is a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) through the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and a member of the Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers. Keith is a registered professional engineer in Iowa and multiple other states. He is a recipient of the Arthur Sidney Bedell Award and the Kenneth J Miller Founders Award.

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Paul J. Schuler is president-elect and a member of the WEF Board of Trustees and a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

He brings more than 30 years of leadership in the water industry, recognized for his advocacy of the One Water approach and the shift toward a circular water economy. As senior vice president and strategic adviser at Carollo Engineers, he leverages experience from executive roles at top water solutions providers to drive innovation, elevate client service, and support company growth. Paul served as a WEF trustee, president of the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association and is currently an elected board member of the West Slope Water District in Portland, Oregon.

His commitment to sustainable water management practices and technologies underscores his dedication to building a more resilient and regenerative water future. Paul's expertise spans drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and industrial water projects. A licensed professional engineer, he is known for his passion for integrating water systems and promoting conservation through holistic water resource management. His strategic insights and collaborative approach make him a trusted partner for clients seeking innovative and comprehensive water solutions.

Paul holds a Master of Business Administration in Management, a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Christine Volkay-Hilditch is the 2023-2026 Treasurer for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, VA.

Volkay-Hilditch is employed as the deputy director of public works [and] utilities for the city of Lancaster, Pia. She leads the management and operations of the water and wastewater treatment plants and supervises engineering, laboratory, pretreatment, operations and maintenance staff. 

Volkay-Hilditch earned her bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Villanova University, and her master's degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University. She also has a master's of public administration from Villanova University. Christine is a registered professional engineer and a diplomat of the Environmental Engineering Academy. She holds sewage treatment plant operator and water works operator licenses in Pennsylvania.

Volkay-Hilditch has served in the WEF House of Delegates, and has been a member of several workgroups. She chaired the Budget and the Operator Outreach committees. She is currently vice chair of the Utility Management Community. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers, and is a recipient of the Arthur Sidney Bedell Award and the Volunteer Service Award.

Volkay-Hilditch is a member of the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA) and the Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association (EPWCOAP), and has served as president of both. She has also chaired the EPWPCOA and PWEA pretreatment committees and the PWEA finance committees. She also is a member of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network, and currently serves as its treasurer. Volkay-Hilditch is also a member of the Delaware County Professional Engineers Society, and has assisted with the annual MathCounts competition for several years. 

Volkay-Hilditch is avid supporter of operator certification and is an instructor in the wastewater operator training program at the Delaware County Community College. 

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Ralph Erik Exton became the Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation on July 15, 2024, and serves as Secretary of the WEF Board of Trustees and a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees. He joined WEF from Grundfos, where he served as the water utility vice president and chief marketing officer. With more than three decades of experience, Exton has held key positions at distinguished companies in the water sector, including Suez, Veolia, and GE Water & Process Technologies.

Exton's dedication to WEF extends beyond his professional role. Prior to his appointment as executive director, he had been a committed volunteer for more than a decade, serving on WEF’s Board of Trustees for five years.

During his tenure as a WEF trustee, Exton held the position of Treasurer/Officer for three consecutive years and chaired the Audit Committee. He was also a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Board Committee and was nominated to the WEF Circular Water Economy Summit Advisory Committee. In recognition of his significant contributions, Exton was honored with the prestigious WEF Fellow Award in October 2023 for his commitment to advancing the global water environment.

In January 2024, Exton joined the board of The Water Tower, a global water innovation center focused on reimagining the future of water through applied research, technology innovation, workforce development, and industry engagement. He is also the co-founder and board director of Partnering for Impact, a not-for-profit platform that inspires influencers in the water sector to achieve sustainability and resiliency goals, drive equitable economic prosperity, encourage the next generation of professionals, create innovations, and build research and development capacity. Additionally, Exton was the founding co-chair of the AIChE International Society for Water Solutions from 2012-2014. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for BlueTech Research and the Accelerator Judging Team of Imagine H2O.

Exton earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1987. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to protecting the environment and ensuring the sustainability of water, our most precious natural resource.

Last updated Oct. 7, 2024

Aimeé R. Killeen is the Immediate Past President and a member of the WEF Board of Trustees and a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

Killeen is currently a company leader for Providence Engineering and Environmental Group LLC in Baton Rouge, La. At Providence, Killeen leads the Air, Water, Waste, Ground Water, Environmental Engineering and Remediation teams as their company leader, and is responsible for an awesome team of employee owners. Killeen and her team oversee all client efforts related to ambient monitoring and modeling, industrial treatment, client monitoring, remediation, permitting, reporting and regulatory compliance.

Killeen is an active member of the Louisiana Water Environment Association, where she served as president in 2012–13 and currently serves as secretary of the board. She also chairs the MA Public Education Committee, is the MA Stockholm Junior Water Prize representative, and a member of the Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers.

Killeen spent five years serving WEF in the House of Delegates as a representative of the Louisiana Water Environment Association. During that time, she served as Speaker of the House of Delegates, chaired the Outreach Committee and has been an active member of numerous WEF Committees.

Killeen has been working in the water profession for over 23 years, including 10 years as a state regulator. She is a 1997 graduate of Louisiana State University.

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Tracy Ekola, P.E. is a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va. 

Ekola serves as vice president and Midwest senior director for Brown and Caldwell. As an executive with more than 30 years of experience in environmental engineering and business leadership, Ekola provides clear, effective communication and collaboration to maintain a positive forward-thinking environment. Her leadership experience has focused on organizational strategy, innovation and utility performance, regional and national market analyses, risk management, project management improvement processes, succession planning and leadership training and development. With an extensive background in planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment facilities, she has worked in various roles from on-site engineer to key leadership roles in both public sector and private/employee-owned organizations. Ekola has worked with industrial clients and public utilities addressing regulatory challenges, technology evaluation, developing innovative utility management approaches, program delivery/implementation, and capital improvement program development.

Ekola has been an active member of WEF and Central States Water Environment Association participating in various committees and leadership roles spanning almost three decades. Ekola has served on the WEF House of Delegates as a delegate-at-large and a second term as a delegate for CSWEA.  She served on the House of Delegates Budget Committee and multiple HOD workgroups.  She has served as the Conveyance and Watershed Community Director and recently as Director for multiple task forces for the Community Leadership Council.  She has also served on multiple WEF committees including Government Affairs, Utility Management, and Program Community.  Tracy has also been an active participant in guiding local, state, and national level regulations.  In collaboration with utilities and supporting organizations, she has provided input on various topics related to water quality, wastewater treatment, biosolids management, and land application to strive for cost-effective, innovative solutions that are protective of the environment.  Collaboration is key to her success in working alongside utilities and their industry partners to evaluate scenarios that benefit the community, stakeholders, and industry partners.

Ekola graduated with a bachelor of civil engineering from the University of Minnesota, and Executive Education Vistage International at Stanford Graduate School of Business. She resides in Minnesota with her husband, who works for the state in natural-resources and forestry planning. They enjoy working and playing in the great outdoors along with their two sons, who are employed as electrical and mechanical engineers. 

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Walid Khoury a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va. 

Khoury is the founder and CEO of Desalytics, a company established in 2020 to address water challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. With more than 22 years of experience in the water industry, Khoury has held leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies, including GE Water & Process Technologies and Danaher Water Platform. His expertise spans commercial strategy, operational management and inclusive leadership, where he has successfully implemented sustainable growth strategies.

Khoury is a strong advocate for promoting diversity and empowering women in the water sector, believing that increasing female representation in leadership roles enhances innovation and better addresses the needs of diverse communities.

As a recognized speaker, thought leader and content creator, with a robust online presence and global network, Khoury is frequently invited to speak and moderate sessions at water industry conferences worldwide. Prior to being nominated to the WEF board of trustees, he served on the WEFTEC Advisory Committee for two years.

Khoury holds a master’s degree in management from Harvard University, Bachelor’s degree in Water and Environment Engineering and a Master's degree in Water Sciences from Saint Joseph University.

Updated October 7, 2024

Brian Persing is a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va. 

Persing is a distinguished professional in the water sector who brings more than two decades of comprehensive experience to his role as plant superintendent/division manager at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission in Maryland. He oversees the operations of a 30 MGD Water Resource Recovery Facility.

His career trajectory began in the field of analytical chemistry within the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, which laid a solid foundation for his transition into the water sector. Persing's expertise is extensive, covering areas from certified environmental laboratories to the operation/management of water, wastewater, industrial wastewater and biosolids facilities. His experience is further enriched by a blend of contract operations and direct municipal employment.

An active contributor to the field, Persing currently holds the position of vice chair of WEF's Utility Management Community, and is a member of WEF’s Water Leadership Institute Steering Committee, where his insights and leadership continue to shape the future of water management and environmental stewardship.

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Stephen Sanders is a 2024-25 member of the WEF Board of Trustees, an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

Sanders is the director and head trainer of the Environmental Training Center at SUNY-Morrisville College in New York. The center provides pre-certification training for wastewater and drinking water operators, as well as for New York State Department of Conservation regulators. He has been training operators for more than 10 years, and has grown the program to be the largest of its kind in New York state. He is a dedicated water professional, certified as a licensed wastewater and drinking water operator and certified instructor for New York state. He has more than 20 years of experience in the field from the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

Sanders served on the initial WEF Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) task force and subsequent committee, as well as the WEFTEC Advisory Board. He helped establish his member association's (the New York Water Environment Association) DE&I committee and served as its first chairperson. He also serves on New York state’s Operator Certification Governance Council, New York Section AWWA Board of Governors, and as the chair for NYSAWWA Operators committee.

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Kalpna Solanki is a 2024-25 member of the WEF Board of Trustees.

Solanki has a passion for strategy, culture, and purpose, and believes that all organizations have the potential of going from good to great.

In her last role as the president and chief executive of the Environmental Operators Certification Program, she propelled the organization forward to become a best of class water/wastewater facility classification and operator certification organization.

Solanki has a proven track record of building high-performance teams, developing innovative solutions, and creating value for stakeholders. She has more than 25 years of board experience across multiple organizations and currently sits on her 12th and 13th boards.

Solanki is a certified water professional, and also holds a certificate in strategy from Harvard Business School, bachelor's and a master's degrees in business administration from Simon Fraser University, as well as a degree in environmental health (magna cum laude) from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

She is a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Water Professionals International’s Robert C. McAnespie Award, and the BCIT Distinguished Alumni Award for Entrepreneurial Innovation.

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Corey Williams is a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

Williams currently serves as president and CEO of SmartCover Systems, the innovation leader for intelligent, real-time sewer monitoring systems. Prior to his role at SmartCover, he served as the CEO of a Suez subsidiary, Optimatics; as vice president and general manager of Inflection Point Solutions, a software development and management consulting firm also serving the water industry; and at Black and Veatch as the director of environmental information systems. 

A WEF member for his over 30-year career, Williams has guided multiple companies, engaged in advisory board positions for startups, and served as project manager or executive in charge of more than 125 projects for water and wastewater utilities throughout the United States, Australia and Europe.  Williams has authored more than 75 papers in IT, OT, IoT, and the smart water and innovation space for the water industry.  

Williams is active in many professional associations and has been the co-principal investigator in research initiatives related to the application of technology to drive business value in utilities.  He is the co-founder and moderator of both the Water and Wastewater CIO and CFO Forums. He founded these forums with the mission of bringing together innovative water and wastewater utility leaders from all over the country and creating a valuable space for knowledge transfer and networking.

Williams earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University.

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

A history of the leadership of the Water Environment Federation, from its inception in 1928 as the Federation of Sewage Works Association to the present day.

list of WEF Past Officers (pdf)