FORT WASHINGTON, PA, March 29, 2006 -- Severn Trent Services has appointed Gary Mechler as vice president, health, safety and environment, effective April 1. In this position, Mechler will be responsible for planning and directing all aspects of the company's health, safety and environmental programs and activities on a global basis.
The company also appointed Jim Gillam as regional manager of the newly established Gulf municipal utility district (MUD) region, effective April 1, 2006. In this position, Gillam will be responsible for management of the company's operations and maintenance services to MUDs throughout the state of Texas, including meter reading, billing, customer services and the operation, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater facilities. Severn Trent Services established the new Gulf MUD region as part of its Operating Services group to better serve this distinctive market.
According to Leonard F. Graziano, president and CEO of Severn Trent Services, Mechler's position reflects the company's emphasis on health and safety in the global water and wastewater industry. "Severn Trent takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard the environment, to protect the public's health and to improve the overall standard of living globally through the delivery of quality water and wastewater solutions."
Mechler is regional vice president for Operating Services in Severn Trent Services' Gulf region, the company's largest region. The Operating Services group provides outsourced utility management services to municipalities and the industrial sector. Before joining the company, he was the corporate health, safety and environmental auditor for Lyondell Petrochemical Company. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene and safety and a master's degree in environmental management.
According to Dana Kaas, Severn Trent Services vice president of Contract Operations, Gillam's appointment and the Operating Services group realignment recognize the unique needs of municipal utility districts. "Texas' municipal utility districts have different operating structures and needs than our typical water and wastewater clients," said Kaas. "Jim has considerable experience working with clients in this market, which will enable him to provide great service value to these districts."
Previously, Gillam served as regional business development manager for Severn Trent Services' Operating Services group in the Gulf and west regions. He also served in management positions for Severn Trent Environmental Services' Florida and Gulf regions and in its Houston, Texas office.
Severn Trent Services (www.severntrentservices.com), based in Fort Washington, Pa., is a leading supplier of water and wastewater treatment solutions. The company's broad range of products and services is concentrated around disinfection, instrumentation, and filtration technologies, pipeline analysis, rehabilitation and repair services, contract operating services and state-of-the-art residential metering products and services. Our international management services business provides support in all aspects of water and wastewater utility operational development and business transformation. Severn Trent Services is a member of the Severn Trent Plc group of companies. An international environmental services leader, Severn Trent is a FTSE 100 company.
###
