The Water Council Board of Directors Names New Co-Chairs

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Water Council announced in January the appointment of two new co-chairs to its board of directors. The new co-chairs hold executive positions with industry-leading, global water technology companies headquartered in Milwaukee. Todd Adams, president and CEO for Rexnord Corporation, and Jim Stern, executive vice president for A. O. Smith Corporation, will replace Rich Meeusen, who recently retired from Badger Meter and Paul Jones, former chairman and CEO of A. O. Smith. Continuing to serve as board members, Meeusen and Jones, co-founded and co-chaired The Water Council 10 years ago and were instrumental in the early creation and development of the global water technology cluster organization. Todd Adams – president and CEO, Rexnord Corporation Adams is the president and CEO of Rexnord Corporation, a growth-oriented diversified industrial company, with annual revenues of $2.1 billion and 7,000 associates worldwide. Adams joined Rexnord in 2004. He has been the company’s president and CEO since 2009 and also serves on its board of directors. Adams is a member of the board of directors of Badger Meter, Inc. He is also a member of Marquette University’s board of trustees and serves on the board of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Hunger Task Force. “The Water Council has accomplished so much in its first 10 years,” Adams said. “I have tremendous respect for Dean Amhaus, Paul Jones and Rich Meeusen and I’m honored to serve as co-chair alongside Jim Stern. I look forward to working with the other board members to continue to advance The Water Council as a solution provider on the national and global stage.” Jim Stern – executive vice president, A. O. Smith Corporation Stern joined A. O. Smith Corporation as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary in June 2007. A. O. Smith Corporation is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy efficient solutions to manufacture and market residential and commercial water heating, water treatment and air purification products. In addition to his legal, compliance and government affairs roles, Stern spends a significant portion of his time on corporate development and the company’s global water treatment business, in which he chairs the company’s global water treatment steering committee. Stern currently serves on the board of directors of Badger Meter, Inc., the National Association of Manufacturers and the Water Quality Association. He also currently serves on a number of charitable boards, including the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Seton Catholic Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. “Paul and Rich, and all who have been involved for the past decade with The Water Council, have built a remarkable foundation, and I look forward to working with Todd, Dean and the whole Board to build upon that success,” Stern said. “Spearheading The Water Council as an idea in 2007 with Paul Jones and growing the organization into an award-winning, influential cluster organization in the U.S. has been an honor,” said Meeusen. “I have great confidence that co-chairs Todd Adams and Jim Stern will do a great job. I have enjoyed working with The Council and its members and will continue to be involved on the board of directors.” “Rich and Paul are two business leaders who truly gave their heart and soul to help grow and mature The Water Council,” stated Amhaus, president and CEO of The Water Council. “We will have eternal gratitude for what they provided to The Water Council. As we transition the board, they have passed the baton on to two great leaders, who once again represent all aspects of the water cycle.” The newly appointed co-chairs were elected at the fourth quarter board meeting held on Dec. 5, 2018, in Milwaukee and began their term Jan. 1.