The Water Entrepreneur
by Paul Gagliardo
Sponsored by ASTERRA, Imagine H20, Mckim & Creed, and The Water & Health Advisory Council: The Water Entrepreneur podcast program features a series of interviews exploring the origin stories of startup founders, early adopters and innovation champions related to their personal, professional, technical, business, organizational and financial journeys. We will explore how the guests decided to get into the water business, who their mentors are, who inspired them to become entrepreneurs and how they selected a technology to develop from an idea to an invention and finally to a commercially viable innovation. You will hear how they raised funding for their company, selected markets to pursue, navigated organizational hierarchies and evolved as their company grew. They will describe their struggles and successes and explain why they are having the most fun of their lives.
Episodes
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Episode 151
Ted Sindabizera Ntwari Ted Sindabizera Ntwari is a water infrastructure engineer and product leader with more than six years of experience advancing water utility innovation through engineering design, geospatial technology, and applied artificial intelligence. He currently serves as Head of...
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Episode 150
Jim Good Jim Good | Founder of Parkview Advisors Jim Good is the founder of Parkview Advisors, where he helps water utilities and organizations navigate operational, infrastructure, regulatory, and strategic challenges. With executive leadership experience spanning municipal and industrial water...
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Episode 149
Jen Millard Jennifer Millard is the CEO and Co-Founder of mainelove, an independent water brand made in Maine that is helping drive innovation within the state’s growing water economy. Drawing on decades of experience in consumer goods, retail, technology, revenue growth, and business…
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Episode 148
Alysen Africano-Nila Alysen Africano-Nila is a business development strategist, consultant, educator, and municipal leader with more than two decades of experience spanning transportation, energy, water, real estate, banking, and public service. Since 2020, Alysen has worked as a Business...
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Episode 147
Justin Roush Justin Roush is an Associate Professor of Economics at Xavier University’s Williams College of Business and the founding Program Director of Xavier’s Master of Science in Water Utilities Management, known as MS H2O. The program is the nation’s first master’s degree specifically…
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Episode 146
Congressman Mike Levin Congressman Mike Levin is proud to represent California’s 49th Congressional District, which includes North County San Diego and South Orange County. Currently serving his fourth term in the House of Representatives, Mike is a member of the powerful House Committee on...
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Episode 145 Shannon Knee
Shannon Knee is the Founder and CEO of Cetos Water, overseeing the commercialization of the TSSE technology. Shannon brings deep expertise in commercializing products and technologies through her career as a private and public markets investor at Goldman Sachs’s Principal Investment Area…
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Episode 144 Congressman Jim Costa
Congressman Jim Costa represents California’s 21st Congressional District, encompassing Fresno and Tulare counties. A senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, he has played an instrumental role in shaping the 2008, 2014, and 2018 Farm Bills, forging bipartisan partnerships to strengthen...
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Episode 143 Jennifer Pierre
Jennifer Pierre serves as General Manager of the State Water Contractors (SWC), a statewide nonprofit association representing 27 public water agencies that receive water from California’s State Water Project. Collectively, these agencies provide water to more than 27 million Californians and...
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Episode 142 David J. Stuckenberg
Dr. David J. Stuckenberg is an influential strategist and technologist in national security and infrastructure. Recognized for his leadership, he has shaped U.S. defense policy and advised on water security. With extensive experience across government, industry, and academia, he holds over 90...
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Episode 141 Janet Anderson
Dr. Janet Anderson is a board-certified toxicologist and human health risk assessor with over 15 years of experience. Currently a Principal Scientist at Exponent, she specializes in chemical risk management, focusing on emerging contaminants like PFAS and microplastics. Noted for her expertise…
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Episode 140 Rob Kursinski
Rob Kursinski is a leading atmospheric and space science expert with over 40 years of experience. He is currently the Chief Scientist at PlanetiQ, focusing on satellite atmospheric sensing. Formerly with NASA and a joint professor at the University of Arizona, he has significantly advanced…
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Episode 139 Laura Ramos
Laura Ramos is a highly respected water professional with more than two decades of experience dedicated to advancing water resource management through education, collaboration, and applied research. As the Director of Research and Education at the California Water Institute at California State...
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Episode 138 Nick Schexnayder and Alex Foreman
Nicolas Schexnayder, P.E. is a Project Engineer with McKim & Creed specializing in drainage infrastructure, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and municipal water and wastewater systems. Since beginning his engineering career in 2020, he has contributed to the planning, design, and implementation...
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Episode 137 Mike Stoup
Mike Stoup, P.E. is the Vice President and E&I Group Manager at McKim & Creed in Clearwater, Florida. With more than 30 years of experience in electrical engineering, automation, and process control, Mike leads a highly skilled electrical and instrumentation team delivering advanced design,...
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Episode 136 Kathryn Sorensen
Kathryn Sorensen is a nationally recognized water policy leader and researcher with decades of experience advancing sustainable water management in Arizona and across the Colorado River Basin. She currently serves as Director of Research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State...
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Episode 135 Allyson Mauck
Allyson Mauck is a Project and Client Manager with eight years of experience delivering complex water, wastewater, and process infrastructure programs across Florida. She is nationally recognized for her leadership in drinking water compliance, particularly in implementation of the EPA’s Lead and...
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Episode 134 Joel Weber
Joel Weber is a driven entrepreneur known for his perseverance, adaptability, and ability to anticipate industry shifts before they happen. Raised on a family farm in Manitoba, Joel developed an early work ethic baling hay, repairing equipment, and learning firsthand the value of resilience and...
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Episode 133 Alan Roberson
Alan Roberson, P.E. is a nationally recognized leader in drinking water policy, regulatory strategy, and public health protection with more than 46 years of experience spanning engineering, government affairs, association leadership, and water quality research. He is widely regarded as an expert…
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Episode 132 Manny Teodoro
Manuel (Manny) Teodoro is a Professor of Public Affairs whose work lies at the intersection of politics, public policy, and public management. His research focuses on U.S. environmental policy and implementation, with particular emphasis on drinking water governance, environmental justice, and…
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Episode 131 Gary C. Ganzi and Peter Lando
Gary C. Ganziis an Intellectual Property Attorney and Professional Engineer with extensive experience in corporate IP and technology management. He brings to his legal practice a rare combination of executive-level business insight and deep applied technical expertise across chemical engineering,...
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Episode 130 Elliot Stand
Elliot Strand, Ph.D. is a materials scientist, entrepreneur, and climate-tech innovator specializing in printed electronics, sensors, and precision agriculture. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of PAGE Technologies, where he leads the commercialization of scalable, low-cost printed sensor platforms…
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Episode 129
Will Dubin Will Dubin is the Founder & CEO of ManholeMetrics, a venture-backed, multi-award-winning wastewater sensor and analytics company transforming how cities monitor and manage sewer networks. Since founding the company in 2021, Will has raised £878k from leading investors including...
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Episode 128
Cassie Braswell Cassie Braswell is a Customer Success Manager in agricultural technology, specializing in advanced water management solutions for vineyards and specialty crops across Northern California. With more than a decade of experience spanning irrigation systems, agri-business operations,...
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Episode 127
Kerry Hoffman Kerry HoffmanDirector – Utility Technology Solutions | Ferguson Enterprises Kerry is an experienced technology leader with over 15 years in the water and utility technology sectors. As Director of Utility Technology Solutions at Ferguson, Kerry leads strategic initiatives that bring...
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Episode 126
Bruce Alderman CEO, ROTEC USA | Water Industry Leader | Expert in Commercialization, Sales, and Process Innovation Bruce J. Alderman is a passionate, process-driven leader with a proven record of bringing disruptive water technologies to global industrial and municipal markets. Over his 25+ year...
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Episode 125
Megan Glover Megan Glover is the Co-Founder and CEO of 120Water, a leading provider of cloud-based software and services that help government agencies, public water systems, and facilities execute safe and compliant drinking water programs. Since launching the company in 2016, Megan has guided...
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Episode 124
Jennifer Zach Jennifer Zach – Marketing & Asset Management Leader Jennifer Zach is a seasoned marketer and communicator who has evolved into a respected advocate for asset management and water infrastructure. As Chief Marketing Officer at MentorAPM, she drives strategy and messaging for a leading...
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Episode 123
Chad Seidel Dr. Chad Seidel, P.E. is the President of Corona Environmental Consulting, LLC and aResearch Affiliate at the University of Colorado Boulder. Chad has focused his entirecareer on technical and policy issues to address public health concerns within thewater community at Federal, state,...
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Episode 122
Joe Wolfel Joe Wolfel is co-founder and the CEO of Terradepth, leading the company’s mission to unlock the potential of subsea data for industries such as energy, environmental science, and defense. Prior to his leadership role at Terradepth, Joe was the Managing Partner at Exbellum, a boutique...
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Episode 121
Ramon Rubio de Castro Ramon Castro is an innovative water-sector professional with more than a decade of international experience spanning engineering, desalination, and strategic consulting. He is the Founder and Host of The Water MBA, a global knowledge platform and community empowering water...
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Episode 120
Richard Brown and Brian Cummings Richard Brown earned his BSEE and MSEE degrees from Brigham Young University and, after six years in industry, completed his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Utah in 1985. His doctoral research produced one of the first smart sensors—an array…
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Episode 119
Tony Searls Anthony V. “Tony” Searls is an accomplished public utility leader with over a decade of experience driving operational excellence, customer service innovation, and strategic financial management within government and utility sectors. Currently serving as the Commercial Services...
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Episode 118
James Perry James PerryChief Executive Officer | ASTERRASan Diego, California, United States James Perry is a seasoned executive and innovation leader with over two decades of experience driving strategic growth, business development, and market transformation across multiple industries. As CEO…
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Episode 117
Ed Rudberg Ed Rudberg, Ph.D.Chief Executive Officer, Nucleic Sensing Systems | CEO, CD3 General Benefit Corporation Dr. Ed Rudberg is a mission-driven executive and environmental innovator with over 20 years of leadership experience across the sustainability and water technology sectors. He...
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Episode 116
Craig Beckman Craig Beckman is a dynamic and results-driven executive with over 30 years of experience leading teams, scaling businesses, and transforming organizations in the water technology, industrial systems, and cleantech sectors. From his early days as a sales engineer to his tenure as a...
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Episode 115
Scott Jauch Scott Jauch I Condition Assessment Regional Practice Lead, Black & VeatchPhoenix, Arizona, USA Scott Jauch is the Condition Assessment Regional Practice Lead at Black & Veatch, based in Phoenix, Arizona. With 8 years of experience in the water sector, Scott specializes in the…
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Episode 114
Erin K. Rothman Climate Scientist | Urban Planner | EntrepreneurInnovating at the intersection of data, design, and resilience With over 20 years of experience at the nexus of climate science, urban planning, and entrepreneurship, Erin Rothman has built a career solving some of the most complex...
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Episode 113
Matt Boczkowski Matt Boczkowski has a diverse work experience in various industries and roles. Matt is currently the CEO of Aquaporin A/S, a company focused on water filtration through biotechnology. Before that, he held multiple roles at SUEZ, including Vice President Industrial Strategy…
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Episode 112
Brian Richter Brian RichterPresident, Sustainable Waters | Adjunct Professor, University of Virginia Brian Richter is a globally recognized authority on water science and conservation, with over 30 years of experience advancing sustainable water management practices. He is the President of...
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Episode 111
Jack Schmidt Jack Schmidt is a Professor at Utah State University and Director of the Center for Colorado River Studies within the Quinney College of Natural Resources. With nearly four decades of experience, he is a leading expert in river science, focusing primarily on the Colorado River, its...
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Episode 110
Anne Castle Anne Castle is a senior fellow at the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment at the University of Colorado Law School, focusing on western water issues, including Colorado River policy and Tribal water rights. Castle was appointed by President…
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Episode 109
James Roberts Founder & CEO | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States James Roberts is the Founder and CEO of WaiHome, a company dedicated to modernizing backyard wastewater treatment. Under his leadership, WaiHome focuses on passive, aboveground treatment systems that are easy to install and provide...
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Episode 108
Nathaniel Banks Nathaniel BanksCo-founder & CTO, PolyGone Systems | Forbes 30 Under 30 Fellow Nathaniel is a pioneering innovator in environmental technology, specializing in microplastic monitoring and filtration solutions. As the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of PolyGone Systems, he...
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Episode 107
Dragan Tutic Dragan Tutic is a mechanical engineer by training and entrepreneur by nature. He is propelledby a distinctive mix of empathy, curiosity, and determination. Demonstrating an inventive flaireven before entering university, Tutic accomplished the remarkable feat of constructing a...
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Episode 106
Tia Cavender Tia A. Cavender, MA I CEO & Founder, Dig Deep Research, LLC Tia A. Cavender is a dynamic and results-driven executive with over 24 years of experience in strategic grants planning, capital funding, and public-private partnerships. As the CEO and Founder of Dig Deep Research, LLC, she...
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Episode 105
Susan Fortner Susan Fortner is a dynamic communications and public relations expert with extensive experience in strategic brand development, media relations, crisis management, and corporate growth. As the driving force behind BPR International in Columbus, OH, she oversees company operations,...
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Episode 104
Windi Muziasari Windi Muziasari is an Indonesian-born global citizen based in Helsinki, Finland, since 2010. She is the founder and CEO of Resistomap, a pioneering company specializing in end-to-end laboratory services for monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and pathogens in the...
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Episode 103
Chelsea Boozer Chelsea Boozer is a dynamic leader and strategic communicator with a proven track record in public policy, government affairs, and nonprofit management. As the Executive Director of Rogue Water Lab, she is spearheading efforts to sustain and expand programming, securing additional...
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Episode 102
Emily Lewis Emily assists clients in navigating and solving complex water problems.She has 14 years of experience advising individual water right owners, water wholesalers, municipalities, mining companies, developers, mutual shareholder irrigation companies, and other water users. Her strategic...
About this show
Sponsored by ASTERRA, Imagine H20, Mckim & Creed, and The Water & Health Advisory Council: The Water Entrepreneur podcast program features a series of interviews exploring the origin stories of startup founders, early adopters and innovation champions related to their personal, professional, technical, business, organizational and financial journeys. We will explore how the guests decided to get into the water business, who their mentors are, who inspired them to become entrepreneurs and how they selected a technology to develop from an idea to an invention and finally to a commercially viable innovation. You will hear how they raised funding for their company, selected markets to pursue, navigated organizational hierarchies and evolved as their company grew. They will describe their struggles and successes and explain why they are having the most fun of their lives.
Hosted by
Paul Gagliardo
Categories