CH2M HILL, a global consulting, design, construction and operations firm, announced that four of this year’s inductees to the National Association of Clean Water Agencies’ (NACWA) Hall of Fame have CH2M HILL experience. Alan Ispass, vice president and global director of utility management solutions; Edward Wagner, senior project consultant; and alumni Charles “Tom” Gibbs and Michele Pla were all inducted on July 21 at NACWA’s Summer Conference and 40th Anniversary Celebration in San Francisco.
According to NACWA, inductees were chosen for their actions and commitment to the organization and for making a significant positive impact on either the evolution of the association or its ability to effectively represent the interest of the clean water community.
Ispass, whose 35-year career spans a wide range of water and wastewater utility activities including operations, management, finance, and labor relations, was recognized for “unmatched” leadership on public-private partnership and competitive management issues, particularly with regard to key NACWA publications, and for his role as the first chair of the Utility Management Committee.
Wagner, who has more than 46 years of experience in water and wastewater operations and management, and currently serves as a senior consultant to clients worldwide on asset management, regulatory compliance and strategic management, was recognized for unmatched leadership on legislative policy, particularly the Comprehensive Watershed Management Act, and for his role as a former chair of the Legislative Committee.
Gibbs, who, prior to retirement, served in many senior roles for CH2M HILL and was the first president of the CH2M HILL Water Business Group, was recognized as being one of the initial founders of the association, for serving as the president of the first board of directors, and for being one of the original incorporators of the association.
Pla, a CH2M HILL alumnus and expert in wastewater regulatory strategy who currently focuses on consulting as principal of MPLA - Cleanwater Consulting, was recognized for “unmatched” leadership on wet weather issues in general and the Combined Sewer Overflow Policy in particular, and as an influential leader and former association president.
