The Illinois Section American Water Works Association is governed by a 16-member Board of Trustees (15 voting members and the Executive Director serves as a non-voting member). Board members are elected annually by our membership and their term begins following WATERCON. Board of Trustees meetings take place throughout the year. Trustees represent their respective districts; to see the Illinois district map, click here.

Thank you to our Board of Trustees members for serving our organization!

Todd LaFountain

Board Chair

Todd is the Water Division Director for the City of Springfield - CWLP and serves as Chair on ISAWWA'S Board of Trustees. Todd has been on the board for 6 years and is actively involved in WUC, Source Water Protection Committee, Leadership in Water Committee, Presenter at ISAWWA and AWWA Events, and Water Operator Instructor. He enjoys having the chance to make a positive difference in the industry. He believes that ISAWWA offers national caliber educational opportunities and opportunities to collaborate with other skilled industry professionals.  He wants water/wastewater employees to know that the organization provides members with access to industry leading educational opportunities and opportunities to enhance your professional network.  

Michele Piotrowski

Chair-Elect

Michele is Vice President at Engineering Enterprises, Inc. and serves as District 2B Trustee. Michele is involved with Outreach Committee (scholarship awards and career fairs), Water Efficiency Committee, previous Water Efficiency Chair, teaches water audit training classes, and sat on AWWA standards committee for the most recent update to the M36 manual. She is looking forward to actively contribute to the organization’s continued success by engaging in strategic planning and implementation and helping guide future initiatives. She values the chance to collaborate with a strong network of dedicated professionals while supporting efforts that ensure ISAWWA remains a resilient and forward-thinking organization.

Andrea Cheng

Vice-Chair

Andrea works for CDM Smith and serves as Vice Chair on ISAWWA'S Board of Trustees.

Hanting Wang

Secretary-Treasurer

Hanting is a Water/Wastewater Process Engineer for Donohue & Associates and serves as the Secretary-Treasurer on ISAWWA'S Board of Trustees.  Hanting is involved as a member of the YP, Women in Water, and Outreach Committees; previous presenter and moderator at WATERCON; previous speaker at Total Water U events.  Hanting wants water employees to know that ISAWWA has played a large role in shaping her into the engineer and person that she is today. Since joining ISAWWA in 2017, she's gained experience and confidence in public speaking, teamwork, and leadership skills. She's worked with passionate and forward-thinking people to achieve ISAWWA’s goals.  She wants to continue to inspire others to participate in and grow from the myriad of volunteer, educational, and leadership opportunities that ISAWWA provides. 

Melissa Olenick

Past Chair

Melissa is the Laboratory Supervisor and Safety Coordinator at CLCJAWA and Past Chair on ISAWWA'S Board of Trustees. Melissa has served on the board for 5 years and is involved with Outreach Committee, Leadership in Total Water Committee, Source Water committee, and teaches C/D Refresher Class.  Melissa wants everyone to know that ISAWWA is a powerful resource for anyone in the total water industry, offering accessible education, up-to-date training, and a strong network of professionals. ISAWWA connects you to a statewide network of peers, mentors, and industry leaders. Through events, committees, and special interest groups, it creates a space where collaboration thrives—opening doors to shared knowledge, new ideas, and lasting professional relationships. ISAWWA is more than a resource—it's a community that helps you grow, stay informed, and stay connected in a constantly changing field.

Carolyn Grieves

AWWA Director

Carolyn is Vice President at Baxter & Woodman and AWWA Director on ISAWWA's Board of Trustees. A longtime volunteer, Carolyn was previously on the board for 6 years and is currently back for her second year as AWWA director. She enjoys serving as the Director because it allows her to network and build strong relationships, collaborate on solutions to industry challenges, and contribute to the future of an incredible and essential industry. She says that ISAWWA is a great resource because it brings together amazing people, offers valuable training, provides opportunities for new experiences, and makes learning and networking genuinely fun. ISAWWA has helped Carolyn in her role by connecting her with great people across the industry and providing valuable resources and training that has support her personally and professionally. 

Todd Schaefer

Trustee-at-Large

Todd is a Project Manager at Dixon Engineering and Trustee-at-Large on ISAWWA's Board of Trustees. Todd's involvement with ISAWWA includes MAC Committee, Water Tower Building Contest Chair, and former MAC Chair and Meter Challenge Chair.  Todd is excited to be a voice for the members and improve the association for all members with the best education and resources. He wants all water/wastewater employees to know how impactful ISAWWA's education and networking opportunities are for their professional development.

Seth Gronewold

District 1 Trustee

Seth is a Principal at Fehr Graham and District 1 Trustee for ISAWWA.  Seth is involved in speaking engagements and the YP Committee. Seth is looking forward to connecting with water professionals across the District and doing his part to keep WATER seen as a highly regarded resource that is to be respected and invested in. 

Carlos Covarrubias

District 2A Trustee

Carlos is a Project Manager for CDM Smith and District 2A Trustee.  Carlos is involved with AWWA - MEDC, WMCA | ISAWWA - Outreach Committee member, DEI committee member, MAC Committee member. Carlos is committed to listening to our members and bringing their ideas and concerns to the board. He takes his responsibility to represent our members seriously and always has their benefit at the heart of every decision. He is excited to drive our organization forward and grow as an industry.

Nora Bertram

District 2B Trustee

Nora is the Water Director for the City of Elgin and the District 2B Trustee.  She enjoys a wide range of educational and networking opportunities offered by ISAWWA.  She is looking forward to working with the Section to navigate the increasing challenges facing the total water industry.

Darrell Blenniss

District 2C Trustee

Darrell works for the City of Naperville and is District 2C Trustee for ISAWWA.

David Vavrek

District 2D Trustee

David is a Project Manager/Construction Inspector with Baxter & Woodman and District 2D Trustee. David is involved with ISAWWA as the Chair of the Education Committe and Small Systems Committee. He is excited to contribute to the section's strategic goals and long-term success of an organization. He looks forward to collaborating with the Board to make a positive impact and advance the sections mission to promote safe and sustainable water through an enriching membership.

Joe Hogan

District 3 Trustee

Joe is General Manager at Otter Lake Water Commission and current District 3 Trustee. Joe is involved in the Water Utility Council. Joe enjoys the opportunity to volunteer his time to a great organization that helps countless amounts of people.  Being involved with ISAWWA helps him by giving him the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and resources to help better serve his water utility.

Rachel Bretz

District 4 Trustee

Rachel is the Regional and Laboratory Director of Water Quality and Environmental Compliance for American Water. Rachel is the District 4 Trustee and former Vice Chair of the WUC. She believes ISAWWA is a great resource because the members have a tremendous amount of knowledge to share.

Kevin Hannel

District 5 Trustee

Kevin is Senior Engineering Manager at Farnsworth Group Inc. and District 5 Trustee. Kevin has been on the board for 3 years, involved on the Education and Total Water Committees and volunteer/moderator at WATERCON. Kevin wants everyone to know that ISAWWA is a great resource for all things related to water, providing second to none education opportunities on a vast array of topics and many professional development and networking opportunities.  He is proud to be involved with such a great organization advancing the water profession and professionals involved.

Annie Storey

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Annie works closely with the Board to determine ISAWWA's priorities and strategic plan; her and her team then work together with Section volunteers to implement the annual plan and maintain regular operations.