This week, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) is hosting its Utility Leadership Conference and 45th Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Omni Providence Hotel.
The conference, with the theme of Financing, Funding & Rates for the Future, will continue through Wednesday, July 15 with a full program of speakers, committee meetings and networking events. ?
As public utilities have embraced the principles and practices of the Water Resources Utility of the Future (UOTF), they have begun to stretch the boundaries of conventional municipal financing. Utilities are looking for new sources of capital, using innovative financing approaches ? including public-private partnerships for discrete projects (such as those focused on UOTF issues); century and green bonds; creative rate structures and more. NACWA?s 2015 Utility Leadership Conference will examine:
- The ?City of the Future?;
- The right balance between sustainable rates and affordability concerns;
- EPA?s evolving role in funding and financing;
- Optimizing public agency engagement with the private sector; and,
- Innovative financing to pave the way for the UOTF.
In addition to the professional program, the summer meeting will also mark the ?passing of the torch? of NACWA?s leadership. Longtime Executive Director Ken Kirk will officially retire, while Adam Krantz, current managing director of government and public affairs, will be recognized as the association?s next executive director and CEO. Krantz?s term will officially begin on Aug. 1. 
?The Board of Directors could not have made a better selection to be NACWA?s next CEO,? said Kirk, who has nearly 40 years of service to the organization, in a press release. ?I have had the privilege of working with Adam over the past 14 years, and I know first-hand he has the skills and talents not only to continue the excellent advocacy work NACWA has done on behalf of its members for the last 45 years, but also to lead NACWA?s fantastic staff and members in blazing new trails for the Association and the municipal clean water community.?
The program on Monday evening, July 13, will feature the?45th Anniversary Celebratory Reception & Dinner honoring Kirk.?The event promises to be a warm, entertaining evening of memories, appreciation, and recognition is planned ? including a featured performance by The WaterCoolers, starring in?Ken Kirk! The Musical.
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Special events will continue on Tuesday evening, July 14 with our Awards Ceremony & President?s Reception.?NACWA will recognize its high performing Member Agencies through the Association?s Excellence in Management Recognition Program.
Exceptional performance by Member Agency facilities will also be recognized through the immensely popular Peak Performance Awards.? NACWA will also officially ?pass the torch? to a new NACWA President, thank outgoing President, Karen Pallansch, Chief Executive Officer, Alexandria Renew Enterprises, and celebrate Association leaders.?Later that evening, symbolizing the ?passing of the torch,? NACWA will host a?Dessert Reception & WaterFireProvidence?Lighting. All special events are included in conference registration.
For more information on NACWA?s summer meeting, visit: NACWASummer Meeting.
