2026 Board of Directors
From Left to Right Front: Diana Medina (WPI Executive Assistant); Haley Vanness (Director of Credentialing and Programming); Laurie Sharp, Vice Chair; Tammy Helms, Water Division Director; Jenny Strobel, Wastewater Division Director; Pam Moss (Outgoing AWWA Representative); Rachel Neville, Past-Chair; Veronica Cavera, AWWA Representative; Jim Baird, WEF Representative.
From Left to Right Back: Paul Bishop, President and CEO; Jason Spicer (Outgoing Wastewater Division Director); Jim Grassiano (WPI Board Envoy); Morley Foy, Chair; Rob Fleming, At-Large Division Director
Officers
Morley Foy, P.Eng, Chair
Morley Foy, P.Eng. is manager of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Section with the Prince Edward Island Department of Land & Environment. In this role, he leads a team dedicated to the sustainable management, protection, and enhancement of drinking water and wastewater systems across the province. Morley’s section oversees several core provincial programs, including the review and issuance of permits for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, daily monitoring of drinking water and wastewater quality reports, licensing of certified operators, administration of the biosolids and septage management programs, and leadership of the on‑site sewage disposal program. With extensive experience at the provincial, regional, and national levels, Morley has contributed to numerous committees focused on improving standards for the design, operation, and oversight of water and wastewater systems. He is an active contributor to Water Professionals International (WPI), where he has played a key role in advancing operator certification standards. He will serves as Chair in 2026. Morley lives in Prince Edward Island with his wife, Gina. He enjoys hiking, gardening, alpine skiing, beach walks, time on his Kubota, and—above all—making memories with his family and grandchildren. Proudly rooted in the Island community, Morley embraces the title of “Islander”.
Ignatius Jean, Chair-Elect
Ignatius Jean is a national of Saint Lucia and a seasoned leader in the Caribbean water sector. Since 2014, he has served as Executive Director of CAWASA, championing regional collaboration and capacity-building. He is currently the Chairman-elect of Water Professionals International (WPI), a member of the International Steering Committee of the UN-Habitat’s GWOPA1, and a Board Member of the Caricom Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC). He holds membership in the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) and the International Water Association (IWA). With over 40 years of experience—including roles in government, technical cooperation, and international development—Mr. Jean has assisted in shaping policy and partnerships across the region. He is a former Government Minister in Saint Lucia (2001–2006), having served as Minister for Physical Development, Environment and Housing (2002–2004) and Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2004–2006). In 2024, he was the recipient of the WPI’s prestigious Robert D. McAnespie Award for his unwavering dedication to the water industry. In 2025, he was a recipient of the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association’s (CWWA) Gold Award for outstanding contribution to the water sector in the Caribbean. Mr. Jean holds advanced degrees from the University of Reading, UK,2 and has completed executive training in Utility Regulation and Strategy at the Public Utility Research Centre (PURC), University of Florida, and Development Diplomacy at the University of Malta.
Laurie Sharp, Vice Chair
Laurie Sharp is the current Manager of both the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Drinking Water Capacity Development Program and the Operator Certification Program which includes both Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment. She brings more than thirty years of progressively responsible experience in the development, training, technical assistance, and implementation of federal and state environmental regulatory programs for drinking water and clean water.
Rachel Neville, Past-Chair
Rachel Neville serves as the Director of Washington Certification Services at Green River College in Auburn, Washington. In this role, she administers the State of Washington Department of Health’s waterworks operator certification programs, supporting the credentialing and professional development of water system operators across the state. With more than 15 years of experience dedicated to operator certification and training, Rachel is deeply committed to strengthening workforce standards and protecting public health. Her work ensures that certified operators are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and accountability necessary to safeguard Washington’s drinking water systems. Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Washington University and her Master of Public Administration from Capella University. She brings a blend of public-sector leadership, regulatory expertise, and passion for education to her role, advancing the certification programs that serve communities statewide.
Division Directors
Rob Fleming, At-Large Division Director
Rob brings more than 30 years of experience in public health to his role as Manager of Drinking Water Safety at FNHA. His career has spanned work as a regulator, utility supervisor, and leader in water safety. Early on, he recognized the essential role that water and wastewater operators play in protecting the health of the communities they serve. Rob is deeply passionate about the industry and is a strong advocate for operator professionalism. He continues to champion the recognition operators deserve and highlights their critical contribution to the multi‑barrier approach that underpins safe, reliable drinking water systems.
Jenny Strobel, Wastewater Division Director
Jenny Strobel serves as the Wastewater Director on the Board of Directors for Water Professionals International. In this role, she represents wastewater professionals nationwide, advancing workforce development, professional standards, and certification excellence within the industry. Jenny is a Manager of the Fleming Training Center in Tennessee’s Division of Water Resources, where she oversees statewide training and certification programs for water and wastewater operators. She holds a Tennessee Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Operator certification and brings extensive experience in regulatory compliance, operator certification, and program development. She is committed to strengthening the wastewater profession through education, innovation, and strategic leadership. As Wastewater Director, Jenny advocates for high-quality training, modernized certification programs, and collaboration among water sector partners to ensure a resilient and skilled workforce for the future.
Tammy Helms, Water Division Director
Tammy Helms has served as the Technical Assistance Programs Manager for the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) since 2019. She oversees the Operator Certification Program, Capacity Development Program, and the Remote Maintenance Worker (Circuit Rider) Program. These programs are dedicated to providing training and technical assistance to water and wastewater utilities across Alaska, helping build the local capacity needed to operate and maintain these critical systems effectively. Tammy has been a certified water operator since 1994 and brings more than 30 years of hands-on operational and programmatic expertise to her work. Prior to joining DEC, she worked as a Local Government Specialist with the State of Alaska’s Division of Community and Regional Affairs, supporting rural communities statewide through the Rural Utilities Business Advisor Program. Tammy previously spent 14 years as the primary water treatment plant operator and City Clerk for the City of Larsen Bay. She has served on the Governor’s Water and Wastewater Advisory Board since 2014 and joined the WPI Board of Directors in 2024 as the Water Division Director.
Partner Representatives
Veronica Cavera, MS, PhD, AWWA Representative
Dr. Veronica Cavera serves as the Education and Workforce Manager for the American Water Works Association (AWWA), where she leads initiatives focused on workforce development, training, and expanding education pathways within the water sector. Her work supports utilities and industry partners in building strong, sustainable talent pipelines to meet the evolving needs of the profession. Prior to joining AWWA, Veronica held leadership roles in organizational learning and development, specializing in curriculum design, leadership training, and enterprise learning strategy. She holds a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences from Rutgers University, along with advanced degrees in science and education. As AWWA’s representative on the 2026 Board of Directors, Veronica brings deep expertise in education, professional development, and cross-sector collaboration to support the future of the water workforce.
Jim Baird, WEF Representative
Jim Baird is the General Manager of the Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority in Oregon, where he leads operations, engineering, and strategic planning for wastewater and utility services that protect public health and environmental quality. With more than three decades in the water and wastewater field, Jim brings extensive operational expertise and a deep commitment to workforce development and infrastructure stewardship. He joined RUSA as Engineering and Operations Manager and was appointed General Manager in 2017, guiding the organization through evolving regulatory, technical, and workforce challenges. Jim’s experience includes supporting operator training, community collaboration, and sustainable utility practices that strengthen resilience across the water sector. In recognition of his industry leadership, Jim was appointed as the Water Environment Federation (WEF) representative on the Water Professionals International Board of Directors where he contributes to advancing certification, training, and professional development for clean water and wastewater professionals. He holds an Associate of Science in Civil Engineering from Umpqua Community College and has been working in the Roseburg area’s water sector since 1991.
Ex-Officio
Paul Bishop, CAE, President & CEO of WPI
Paul Bishop, CAE, has served as the president and chief executive officer of Water Professionals International (WPI) since 2008. With three decades of dynamic experience spanning private enterprises, government, and the not-for-profit realm, Paul is a tireless advocate for environmental excellence and workforce development. Paul's tenure at WPI has been marked by a relentless pursuit of quality and integrity in environmental certification programs. His visionary leadership has driven the organization to new heights, welcoming a global community of organizations and individuals into the WPI fold. Under his guidance, WPI introduced industry-leading standardized exams, crafted an independent commission to fortify program integrity, unveiled a professional designation for water operators, and pioneered the water industry's first all-encompassing, uniform standards for water operator certification programs. In 2011, Paul achieved the coveted Certified Association Executive credential, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the association profession. Beyond the boardroom, he finds bliss in the art of culinary creations, mixology experiments, and the freedom of cycling whenever the opportunity arises. Paul, together with his wife Susan, calls West Des Moines, Iowa home. Paul Bishop's life and work exemplify a commitment to innovation and excellence in the realm of water management and environmental stewardship.
Alison McGee, PO, Chair of C2EP
Alison McGee is a seasoned water industry professional with 19 years of experience specializing in drinking water treatment. Throughout her career, she has built deep technical expertise in water quality, treatment operations, and regulatory compliance while ensuring the reliable delivery of safe drinking water to the communities. She is recognized as a Professional Operator (PO), reflecting her commitment to excellence and industry standards. For more than 11 years, Alison has held leadership and plant management roles, guiding operational teams, optimizing treatment processes, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. She manages award-winning treatment facilities recognized for their operational excellence, strong regulatory performance, and unwavering commitment to public health. Alison has contributed significantly to the water profession through national service and leadership. She served on the Water Professionals International (WPI) Board of Directors, including as Chair of the Board in 2022. Her dedication to advancing operator professionalism and certification also led to her selection as Chair of the Certification Commission for Environmental Professionals (C2EP). With a strong blend of operational knowledge, leadership experience, and industry service, Alison continues to champion the development of water professionals and the protection of public health.
