Florida water expert appointed WateReuse director

A former deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has been appointed as the executive director of the WateReuse Association and the WateReuse Research Foundation.

Melissa L Meeker will take the place of G Wade Miller, who announced his resignation from WateReuse in August 2013.

Meeker takes up the reins on 25 March 2014. She will lead the strategic growth of the two organizations, as well as operational programs, staff and execution of their missions.

The new executive director is described by WateReuse as “a seasoned water executive” with more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, with a broad range of expertise that includes regulatory issues, policy development and executive management.

Immediately prior to joining WateReuse, Meeker served as vice president of business line management for CSA Ocean Services Inc, a marine environmental consulting firm founded in 1970. She was responsible for financial and office management, as well as business development.

While previously serving at the Florida DEP, Meeker was appointed executive director of the South Florida Water Management District. During her tenure, the agency rebounded from financial instability, improved efficiency, and focused its efforts on providing flood protection and water supply for 7.7 million south Florida residents, and made landmark progress on Everglades restoration.

She also held senior level positions at Tetra Tech from 2005 to 2010, where she headed the company’s Florida operation and later ran its national Water and Natural Resources Program.