In his inaugural speech as AWWA president, Charles Anderson spoke of ?re-engineering? the association?s business model. Anderson accepted the gavel from outgoing president Jerry Stevens at a June 13 ceremony during AWWA?s Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE12).
?I will, in the very near future, announce a special presidential panel of key section staff, headquarters staff and AWWA volunteer leaders to help operationalize this vision for a new business model,? Anderson said. He foresees partnership opportunities, such as decentralized education and training, to strengthen the organization?s sustainability in a competitive market.
At the gavel ceremony on June 13, the new president also pledged to safeguard the ?heritage of excellence that has earmarked AWWA?s brand? and to support the initiatives undertaken by his predecessors over the past several years.
Recalling his personal experience, Anderson said AWWA had taught him to excel and lend a hand to others through his volunteer service ? which he calls ?the heartbeat of AWWA.?
A Fuller awardee, Anderson is a consultant with CDM Smith and a former utility director and deputy city manager for the City of Arlington, Texas. He has spent the last four years serving on the AWWA Board of Directors, as a section director, vice president and now, president-elect.
