Cindy Wallis-Lage Named President of Black & Veatch’s Global Water Business

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Black & Veatch has appointed Cindy Wallis-Lage as President of its global water business. She will lead the company’s efforts to address billions of dollars in water infrastructure needs around the world. Aging infrastructure, economic challenges and increasing demand are factors that drive growth for service providers going forward.

“We will see increased investment in water and electric infrastructure throughout the world. This will have a rippling effect in the water industry on supply and demand, quality and reliability and flood control. It will also impact environmental and security issues”

Wallis-Lage brings 25 years of experience from all over the world to this key position. She most recently served as the company’s Executive Managing Director of Technical Solutions. Wallis-Lage is highly regarded globally in the industry. She has provided her project and leadership expertise to more than 100 municipal and industrial facilities throughout the US, UK and Asia Pacific.

“We will see increased investment in water and electric infrastructure throughout the world. This will have a rippling effect in the water industry on supply and demand, quality and reliability and flood control. It will also impact environmental and security issues,” said Wallis-Lage. “We know that investment in infrastructure creates jobs and boosts the economy. In the US, the New Deal in the 1930s and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 shared a goal of increasing jobs and improving the economy through public works spending on construction. Today, the world needs a ‘new deal’ type of approach for aging infrastructure,” she said.

“It’s an exciting time at Black & Veatch and in our industry,” said Len C. Rodman, Chairman, President and CEO for Black & Veatch. “We have a strong set of professionals and resources within the company to meet the complex challenges our clients face. Cindy is a proven leader who thoroughly understands the business and our industry.”

Wallis-Lage added that Black & Veatch plans to increase its market share as it expands further globally and penetrates adjacent markets where its operating capabilities provide a competitive advantage.

Editor’s Notes:

• Wallis-Lage is a licensed Professional Engineer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University in 1985 and a master’s degree in environmental health engineering from the University of Kansas.
• She was the recipient of the Top 100 under 50 DIVERSE EMERGING LEADERS awards from DiversityMBA Magazine in September 2009.
• Black & Veatch’s Technical Solutions group has reinforced the company’s commitment to “Lead with Technology.” The group has a broad range of technical capabilities that include water technology-related treatment planning and design, environmental sciences and remediation, information technology and asset management and water conveyance and supply. The group also addresses energy solutions including renewable sources and energy optimization, as well as heavy civil elements needed for hydropower, dams and tunnels.
• Wallis-Lage has authored more than 50 papers, 20 technical articles and 10 textbook chapters. She serves on several committees for the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA). She is a frequent speaker at many global industry forums.
• A recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates the capital investment required for US drinking water and wastewater treatment systems in 2010 as $91 billion. Only $36 billion was funded which left a gap of nearly $55 billion.
• The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure gave drinking water and wastewater treatment a D-. A new ASCE report released last month titled, Failure to Act: The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Water and Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure, provides further insight into the condition of the nation’s deteriorating wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.
• The World Bank estimates that $180 billion in global water infrastructure investment will be needed each year until 2030 to meet freshwater demand.
• Please click on the following link to download a high-resolution photo of Cindy Wallis-Lage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/black_veatch/6691350791/.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch (www.bv.com) is a global leader in the consulting, engineering, construction and operation of what the world needs now and in the future in the crucial areas of energy, water and telecommunications and in providing up-to-the-minute services in the fast changing federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, the employee-owned, $2.3 billion company operates out of more than 110 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries.

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