On the Power of Partnerships

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Rick Warner, 2016-17 WEF President, blogs about the power of partnerships.

The Board of Trustees has encouraged work through partnerships, recognizing that sometimes, partnerships can create the most effective water programs. Working with partners who share a similar vision can help WEF improve management of the world’s water resources and can have a powerful effect on the professional experience of our members. Achieving sustainable water infrastructure and water quality improvements often are crafted through community coalitions and do not simply result from regulatory mandates. We are truly a community of trusted and empowered professionals who make a positive impact on our communities.

WEF accomplishes much of its work through partnerships on multiple levels. These partners have been key in helping advance our mission. WEF works with 75 global Member Associations to bring technical knowledge to our joint membership. We work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and many others on such essential publications as the Effective Utility Management Primer. WEF also supports innovative water research by working with the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF; Alexandria, Va.) and builds awareness about the value of water to achieve healthy, vibrant communities across the globe.

This summer, WEF and WE&RF will convene 35 water sector experts to create a powerful vision for the future of water in North America. A shared vision allows us to reach aspirational goals together by creating a strong water movement where everyone, through shared and open-minded actions, is aiming in the same direction. It allows us to align initiatives and increase commitment for action. 

Partnerships enable WEF to leverage our knowledge, resources, and commitment to provide sustainable stewardship of the world’s water resources. WEF appreciates the contributions of all our members and partners, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on behalf of water quality professionals everywhere.

Excerpted from WEF Highlights, June 21, 2017 “From the President.” Read the entire article.

 

(Posted 6/22/2017)

About Rick Warner

Past WEF President Rick WarnerRick Warner, P.E. is the 2016-2017 President of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Rick also presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Water Environment and Reuse Foundation. In addition, he is a senior engineer for the Washoe County (Nevada) Community Services Department. In that role he is responsible for planning, design, and construction for regional water resource recovery and recycled water projects.

Rick is actively engaged with several water reuse projects, and is presently co-leading a regional team developing Nevada’s first potable reuse project. Rick is a member of the WateReuse Association, the Water Environment and Reuse Foundation, and the Design Build Institute of America.

A WEF member since 1995, he has held multiple leadership and committee roles within WEF. He served on the House of Delegates for three years and is a member of the Utility Management and Water Reuse Committees. Also an active member of the Nevada Water Environment Association (NWEA), Rick served two times on the NWEA Board and as President from 2001-2002.

He is presently collaborating with Dr. Krishna Pagilla, Professor and Environmental Engineering Program Director at the University of Nevada, Reno to help create a Water Innovation Campus – an effort to advance water science and technology for municipal, industrial, and agricultural applications while enhancing the economic, social, and environmental aspects of the water environment.

Rick is a registered professional engineer in the state of Nevada. He received a B.S. and an M.S. in civil engineering from the University of Nevada.

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1These blogs offer the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy of the organization.