DENVER, June 20, 2016 -- The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a leading sponsor of research supporting the water community, has announced that Charles M. Murray, General Manager at Fairfax Water, has assumed the position of Chair of the Board of Directors at the Water Research Foundation (WRF). He was elected to the chair at the January 2016 Board Meeting, and his term became effective immediately following the recent June 18 Board Meeting. First appointed to the board in 2005, he served as the Board’s Vice Chair from 2013–2016. Murray will serve as Chair until June 2019.
In his role at Fairfax Water, Murray directs the day-to-day operations of the utility. Fairfax Water is Virginia’s largest water utility, serving almost 2 million people in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.
“It is my honor to represent Water Research Foundation subscribers on the Board,” said Murray. “I enjoy working with my fellow Directors and the staff as we explore key issues and drive the development and delivery of research that really matters to the work we all do every day. The Foundation research collaborative allows us to improve our operations, make better business decisions, support our staff’s professional development, and continue to provide affordable, safe water services to our various customers.”
Murray has more than 30 years of experience in the utility industry. He joined Fairfax Water in 2003 as Executive Officer. In 2006, he was appointed to the position of General Manager. Prior to joining Fairfax Water, Murray worked for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) for 19 years.
“Chuck brings valuable industry experience and perspective to the chair position at a time when the Water Research Foundation is enhancing its research agenda to fully incorporate all aspects of One Water, including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and reuse,” said Rob Renner, Chief Executive Officer of WRF. “The Water Research Foundation will greatly benefit from his leadership.” Murray is active in the utility industry, serving as a Board Member and past President at the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). In addition, he is an active member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
About the Water Research Foundation
The Water Research Foundation is the leading not-for-profit research cooperative that advances the science of water to protect public health and the environment. Governed by utilities, WRF plans, manages, and delivers scientifically sound research solutions on the most critical challenges facing the water community in the areas of drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and reuse. Over the last 50 years, WRF has sponsored nearly 1,500 research projects valued at $500 million, and serves more than 1,000 subscribing organizations. For more information, go to www.WaterRF.org.
