Alexandria, Va., September 14, 2001 — The Water Environment Federation (WEF) today announced the selection of William J. Bertera as its new Executive Director. Bertera will provide overall management for the Federation, overseeing a $19 million budget and working closely with volunteer leadership and a staff of 116 to accomplish the organization's vision and objectives.
He will officially begin his new post on November 1, 2001, replacing Quincalee Brown, who is retiring after 15 years at WEF's helm.
Bertera, currently the executive director of the 13,000-member Society for Nuclear Medicine (SNM), has a consistent record of accomplishment in administration, financial management, international development, and membership service programs. Achievements during his three-year tenure at SNM include guiding the organization through implementation of its first strategic plan, and developing an international membership marketing and service program that resulted in partnership agreements with sister associations around the world. In three years, he increased SNM's organizational net worth by $1.8 million, and grant funding by $250,000.
Bertera's long history of senior executive positions with professional and trade associations includes experience as executive director of the American Public Works Association (APWA) from 1993 to 1998. This position provided him with an understanding of many issues important to WEF members, particularly the infrastructure challenges facing the water and wastewater field. While at APWA, Bertera directed an overhaul of management, information services, and financial reporting systems; expanded national/state advocacy and public affairs programs; and established membership development programs that reversed a multi-year decline. He also was executive director of the Rebuild America Coalition, a national infrastructure advocacy organization, during his time at APWA.
"More than any other candidate, Bill demonstrated knowledge of leadership principles and the ability to apply them, " said Search Committee Chair Richard Kuchenrither, a WEF past president and senior vice president, Black & Veatch Corporation (Kansas City, Mo.). "We fully expect that under Bill, WEF will continue to grow and prosper in a challenging and changing environment."
"Bill comes with an outstanding list of credentials that are very well suited for our organization," said WEF President Joe Stowe, Jr., a vice president and area manager for CH2M Hill (Charlotte, N.C.) and a member of the Search Committee. "When asked why he was interested in the position, Bill unhesitatingly said he believed in what WEF stood for and the work our members perform."
Bertera received a B.S. in business administration from American International College (Springfield, Mass.) and an M.P.A. in urban affairs from American University (Washington, D.C.). He served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army, Transportation Corps from 1966 to 1969. In addition to other positions held in the public and private sectors, Bertera served as managing director of the National Solid Wastes Management Association from 1980 to 1993. He is a resident of Northern Virginia.
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with members from varied disciplines who work toward the WEF vision of preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. The WEF network includes more than 100,000 water quality professionals from 77 Member Associations in 31 countries.
