ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Nov. 16, 2015 — Chris French has joined the Water Environment Federation (WEF) as the organization’s new director of stormwater programs, according to a press release.
French has spent more than 15 years in the water sector, noted the release. He will use his experience to guide WEF’s Stormwater Institute and expand the organization’s water sector focus.
"WEF is very fortunate to find someone of Chris’s caliber to continue growing our stormwater programs and help establish the WEF Stormwater Institute as a leading facilitator of knowledge exchange and innovation in this increasingly important part of the water sector," said WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill in the release. "His appointment is a sign of our continued commitment to raising the profile of stormwater issues and supporting those responsible for effectively and sustainably managing it here in North America and beyond."
French has worked with stormwater and watershed management issues for nearly two decades, stated the release. He most recently worked as regional regulatory manager for Contech Engineered Solutions. He also worked with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay in addition to positions on several national and community-based organizations’ boards and committees.
"As a volunteer and member, I have always admired and respected the expertise and impactful contributions that WEF makes to the water sector," shared French in the release. "I have seen first-hand the organization’s unique ability to pull together thought leaders and mobilize conversations about the value of water and the need for broad-based stormwater solutions. I’m honored to have this new opportunity and look forward helping WEF develop and guide its national and international stormwater initiatives."
French will engage with members, stakeholders and practitioners to increase WEF’s stormwater focus, reported the release. He will continue building on his findings as a member of the Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices Advisory Committee to develop a framework for national testing and evaluation in the stormwater sector.
You can find the entire release here.
