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!

Michele Piotrowski

Board Chair

Michele is Vice President at Engineering Enterprises, Inc. and serves as the Board Chair. Michele is involved with ISAWWA - Water Efficiency, Outreach (Scholarships), MAC, Speaking at WATERCON and Water Works 360; AWWA - Scholarship Review. 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

Chair-Elect

Andrea works for CDM Smith and serves as Chair Elect on ISAWWA'S Board of Trustees.  She was previously involved in the Board as trustee and YP Chair, Distribution Committee & Women in Water Committee. She is currently on the AWWA Lead & Copper Subcommittee and speaks at conferences regularly, such as WATERCON, Waterworks 360, Annual Regulatory Update, and ACE. She states that ISAWWA has enhanced her career, "I never would have had the career opportunities I have had without ISAWWA. When a friend suggested I join the YP Committee, I was nervous. I didn't think I could bring anything of value to the committee. But he convinced me to just attend and listen. And next thing I new, I was YP Chair! I gained confidence in running a meeting, keeping initiatives going, and delegating work. And as I took on additional roles at ISAWWA throughout the years, I met so many brilliant and kind people. The type of people who pick up the phone when you call to ask for advice - career, technical or other! I wouldn't be where I am today without all that support."

Joe Hogan

Vice Chair

Joe is General Manager at Otter Lake Water Commission and current Vice Chair. Joe has been involved on the Board for 3 years and a member of the Water Utility Council. Joe enjoys the opportunity to volunteer his time to a great organization that helps countless amounts of people.  He believes that ISAWWA is a great resource because we provide so many educational and networking options.  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.

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 multiple WATERCONs; previous speaker at Total Water U and joint YP Summit events and on the planning committee for three AWWA/WEF YP Summits.  She is excited to be on the Board of Trustees because we are a passionate and forward-thinking group of people working together to achieve ISAWWA’s goals. 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. 

Todd LaFountain

Past Chair

Todd is the Water Division Director for the City of Springfield - CWLP and serves as Past Chair on ISAWWA'S Board of Trustees. Todd has been on the board for 7 years and is actively involved in WUC, education, speaking engagements, and more. He enjoys having the chance to make a positive difference in the industry. He believes that ISAWWA offers national caliber educational opportunities and connects current and future industry leaders and promotes collaboration to improve and enhance the industry.  He believes that the organization connects him with other industry professionals that are able to enhance his efficiency and effectiveness in his daily work activities. 

Randy Lusk

AWWA Director

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.  In addition, he wants to serve and give back to our industry that has given him so much. He wants all water/wastewater employees to know how impactful ISAWWA's education and networking opportunities are for their professional development.  ISAWWA has enhanced his career by serving on committees and being in leadership roles to assist in his professional development.

Jeniece Neville

YP Trustee-at-Large

Jeniece works for Engineering Enterprises, Inc. and serves as the YP Trustee-at-Large on ISAWWA's Board of Trustees. She is involved in the ISAWWA YP Community, Water Utility Council, and speaking at WATERCON 2024 and 2025, WD&SCC 2024, Small Systems Hot Topic Series 2025, and a couple of webinars all discussing PFAS! She is looking forward to meeting more people, strengthening her leadership skills as a growing professional, and representing the YPs at the Board level. She says it’s a coin toss whether she's learned more from conversations with operators, engineers, sales reps, etc. or in her many years of undergrad + grad school. We can learn so much just from chatting with each other. She also can’t wait to share fun and topical ideas discussed in the YP Committee with the Board. As our WATERCON YP panel was titled in 2025, "We are the future of water!" She believes ISAWWA is a great resource because in Fall 2022, she had just moved from California to Chicago, and she showed up to a No Water No Wine event in Naperville sharing personal business cards with a link to her LinkedIn and a hope of connecting with local water professionals. Section staff and fellow NWNW attendees kindly welcomed her, and four weeks later, she was officially on the YP Committee and also working a few desks down from some people she met at the event! She is incredibly grateful for the many social contexts ISAWWA provides to connect with fellow water and wastewater professionals, and she hopes to pay it forward by keeping the networking and workforce development opportunities going strong during her time serving as the new YP Trustee at Large!

Seth Gronewold

District 1 Trustee

Seth is a Principal at Fehr Graham and District 1 Trustee for ISAWWA.  Seth is involved in speaking engagements. Seth is looking forward to giving back to the water industry which is something that touches everyone in the communities where he lives and works. Seth believes that ISAWWA is a great resource for networking with other professionals who allow for consistent learning opportunities. There is always a connection to be made with someone who can assist you with problem that may seem insurmountable.

Carlos Covarrubias

District 2A Trustee

Carlos is a Project Manager for CDM Smith and District 2A Trustee.  Carlos previously was involved with AWWA - MEDC, WMCA | ISAWWA - Outreach Committee member, DEI committee member, MAC Committee member. Carlos wants to bring a unique perspective while keeping our members' thoughts and values at the center of his decision making. He wants people in the industry to know about the extensive network that ISAWWA has and the personal and professional opportunities it opens.

Brett Fritzler

District 2B Trustee

Brett is the Water Utility Manager at the Village of Gurnee and District 2B Trustee.  He has been involved in as the Water Distribution Committee Vice-Chair, Hydrant Hysteria Chair, member of the Education committee and Water Utility Council (WUC), and occasional speaker/panel member. He is excited to be on the Board of Trustees because it’s an opportunity to give back to an organization that has profoundly shaped his career. He looks forward to helping guide the association’s future while providing meaningful value to and actively engaging with the membership. He believes ISAWWA is a great resource for our industry because it offers something for everyone; from water to wastewater professionals, and from entry-level maintenance workers to senior engineers. ISAWWA provides valuable education, volunteering, and networking opportunities that support professionals at every stage of their careers. He wants people working in the industry to know that ISAWWA is better when people are involved. You don't need to be an expert to help! The organization has enhanced his career through volunteer opportunities, played a significant role in his professional growth by developing his leadership skills, and expanded his network of colleagues. This network has been invaluable in navigating regulatory challenges and solving unique problems.

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 district trustee, former chair for Education and Small Systems, WATERCON volunteer, and many other volunteering opportunities. He is excited to not only continue his personal and professional growth, but to have a positive impact on the Section for generations to come. He believes the Section brings together utilities, engineers and regulators to share knowledge and build professional relationships. Through all we have a unified voice for long term success of our organization. _{He also wants others to know that the Section is the premier resource for training, leadership and advocacy that strengthens careers and protects public health across Illinois. ISAWWA has enhanced his career by providing valuable professional development opportunities, industry knowledge, and a strong network of water professionals. Through conferences and training programs, along with collaboration with peers, ISAWWA has helped him stay current with best practices and evolving technologies in our industry. Being involved with ISAWWA has strengthened his leadership skills and allowed him to contribute to the advancement of safe and reliable drinking water for our communities.}

Ben Spreen

District 3 Trustee

Ben is a principal at Benton Engineering and District 3 Trustee.  Ben is excited to be on the Board to learn about the inner workings of ISAWWA and help contribute to the future of the program.  He believes that ISAWWA is a great resource for our industry because of our vast educational and networking opportunities.

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.

John Burkhart

District 5 Trustee

John is the Director of Water for the Town of Normal and the District 5 Trustee.  John has served on the Water Utility Council and the strategic planning committee.  He believes that ISAWWA is a great resource because it deals with all aspects of water. It provides training/education, professional development and a great opportunity to network with coworkers who face the same challenges as you.

Heather Schmidt

Interim Executive Director

As Executive Director, Heather 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.