Chris deBarbadillo Rejoins Black & Veatch as Plant Optimization Practice Leader

New practice will help wastewater treatment providers bolster sustainability, resilience

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Known as an industry leader for her experience in advanced wastewater treatment technologies and innovation, Chris deBarbadillo has rejoined Black & Veatch as associate vice president and plant optimization practice leader. In her new plant optimization role, she will help wastewater treatment providers develop and implement strategies that optimize projects at each stage of their lifecycles, including assessments, planning, technology selection, design and transitioning from the project delivery stage to enhanced long-term operations.

DeBarbadillo returns to Black & Veatch after nine years in key operations and process technology roles at a major utility. She will work closely and collaboratively with the facilities business line, the Water Technology Group, the integrated solutions leader, and the planning and asset management group to support growth opportunities across Black & Veatch’s water business. As a client director, deBarbadillo will also focus on client support in the East region.

DeBarbadillo had worked for 13 years at Black & Veatch, including as an associate vice president in wastewater technology leadership, before joining the utility sector in 2012. She most recently spent six years as the director of clean water quality and technology for DC Water, overseeing pretreatment, laboratory, and research and development programs while providing support to process engineering and operations teams. She also worked with the utility’s innovations chief, developing and overseeing projects to foster a culture of cutting-edge problem-solving and advance the development of innovative technologies.

“Wastewater treatment service providers are confronting challenges on many fronts related to funding and climate change, reliability, aging infrastructure assets and more,” said Cindy Wallis-Lage, president of Black & Veatch’s water business. “We’re excited to welcome Chris back, knowing that clients will benefit greatly from her expertise both on the utility side and in our collaborative efforts to optimize wastewater treatment infrastructure to drive resilience and sustainability for clients and communities.”

“Black & Veatch has always been at the forefront of innovation in the water services market, so it’s rewarding to return to a company dedicated to solving the biggest infrastructure challenges,” said deBarbadillo. “I look forward to working with our clients and our industry-leading team as we seek new approaches to maximize the performance and operational life of assets for the benefit of their customers and the communities they serve.”

Editor’s Notes:

• For a high-resolution picture of deBarbadillo, click here.

• deBarbadillo served for nearly four years as the director of the wastewater technology group and two years as a Global Practice & Technology leader during her prior stint with Black & Veatch.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is an employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2020 exceeded US$3.0 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.