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Reappointments to the Technical Customer Advisory Committee
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The Technical Customer Advisory Committee (TCAC) was established in 2006 to assist in and facilitate public review and discussion of Water Authority policies, plans and programs. The TCAC was established to provide a professional/ technical group of volunteer individuals who represent the five core functional areas of operating a water and wastewater utility. This group is intended to provide outside expertise in best practices and private sector applications for continuous business improvement.
Ege Richardson and Michael Hightower have completed their first terms and are eligible to be reappointed to a second two-year term. Staff recommends that both continue to serve on the TCAC. Below is a summary of their professional and academic background.
Biographies
Ege Richardson is the sole proprietor of her consulting engineering business, Aegean Consulting. She has been evaluating, planning, and designing wastewater collection, treatment, disposal, and reuse facilities for several New Mexico communities for the past 14 years. Ege is a consultant on operational projects and problems for all aspects of wastewater treatment and disposal. She possesses an in-depth understanding of secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment processes that are suitable for a variety of disposal applications ranging from surface water discharge to direct potable water reuse. Prior to her consulting work, Ege spent 10 years researching activated sludge processes and biosolids reduction as well as teaching water/wastewater treatment, hydraulics, and lab courses at the University of Toledo and New Mexico State University. She has also been teaching classes on wastewater treatment for the New Mexico Rural Water Association since 2003. Ege Richardson holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Environmental Engineering in Turkey, a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from New Mexico State University, and a PhD in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University. Ege is a licensed Professional Engineer in New Mexico.
Michael Hightower retired from Sandia National Laboratories after 38 years, but remains on-role as a mentor in supporting SNL staff in improving and managing SNL's water, energy, and infrastructure security and resiliency programs. He is a civil and environmental engineer and has over 35 years of experience in research and development projects. He has published over 120 technical papers and reports on his research of innovative environmental and energy technologies and the security and protection of critical water and energy infrastructures. Mike holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in civil engineering from New Mexico State University.
CURRENT MEMBERS:
|
Member |
Category |
Term Expiration |
|
Ege Richardson |
Water System Engineering |
6/2017 |
|
Michael Hightower |
Water Resource Planning |
6/2017 |
|
Laura McCarthy |
Non-profit Water Management Advocacy/Education |
6/2017 |
|
Amy Ewing |
Water Resource Planning |
4/2018 |
|
Dave Hill |
Financial/Business Management |
3/2018 |
|
Scott Verhines |
Water System Engineering |
3/2018 |
|
Janie Chermak |
Resource Economics |
10/2018 |
|
Andrew Bernard |
Landscape Architecture |
12/2018 |
|
Melissa Armijo |
Customer Service / Stakeholder Engagement |
5/2019 |
FISCAL IMPACT:
None