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 consulting firm specializing in complex human capital solutions, where he focused on advancing client problem-solving, strategic planning, and agile execution. Previously, Joe held leadership roles at the McChrystal Group and Synexxus Inc., where he led classified projects with the U.S. Army Research Labs and the Special Operations community on data distribution and digitization.

A former Navy SEAL, Joe completed multiple deployments across the Middle East and Africa, serving in both combat and strategic roles. He graduated with Honors from the U.S. Naval Academy as a Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Scholar, ranking 8th in his class.

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 professionals through interviews, insights, and audiovisual content. Since launching in 2023, Ramon has produced over 80 expert-led episodes and articles, grown a 13,000+ member LinkedIn community, and developed a subscription-based learning service that delivers fresh knowledge monthly.

Alongside his role with The Water MBA, Ramon serves as an Advisor and Consultant with Aquasory, providing strategic guidance and third-eye analysis to clients navigating critical project decisions.

Ramon also leads on the corporate front at Innovative Water Applications Co. (IWAC), where he has held multiple leadership roles across engineering and project management. He currently heads both the Civil Engineering and Technical Office departments, after previously serving as Proposal Manager and Engineering Coordinator for large-scale desalination and water infrastructure projects in the MENA region—including the 600,000 m³/day Rabigh 4 IWP in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier in his career, Ramon spent nearly a decade at Abengoa, managing cost estimation, tendering, and engineering coordination for multi-billion-dollar desalination and water treatment plants worldwide. He contributed to landmark projects such as the 900 MLD Taweelah RO in Abu Dhabi, the Shuaibah III RO Expansion in Saudi Arabia, and the Jebel Ali RO in Dubai.

His expertise covers the full project lifecycle—tendering, engineering, and delivery—across desalination, wastewater treatment, potable water, industrial effluent, and large-scale transmission and distribution systems. He has worked on projects across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe, serving government entities, EPC contractors, developers, concessionaires, and international financial institutions.

Blending deep technical knowledge with communication, advisory, and storytelling skills, Ramon is passionate about driving education, innovation, and sustainability in the global water industry.

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 of miniature ion-selective electrodes with integrated electronics.

He began his academic career at the University of Michigan, where he developed the VLSI program and conducted pioneering research in microprocessor design, silicon-based chemical sensors, and brain probes. While at Michigan, he was awarded an Arthur F. Thurnau Endowed Professorship and the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards.

From 2004 to 2024, Dr. Brown served as Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Utah, overseeing transformative growth: degrees granted increased from 484 to 1,394 annually, research expenditures rose from $30M to $107M per year, and over 100 companies were spun out. Notable milestones during his tenure include the 2022 endowment of the Kahlert School of Computing and a $50M gift in 2023 that endowed and named the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering.

Dr. Brown holds 25 U.S. patents, has authored over 225 peer-reviewed publications, and co-founded multiple technology companies, including Sensicore, i-SENS, Mobius Microsystems, and e-SENS. He is a Life Fellow of the IEEE, a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, recipient of the Utah Governor’s Medal for Excellence in Science and Technology, and winner of the University of Utah’s highest faculty honor, the Rosenblatt Prize. In 2020, he became the inaugural H. E. Thomas Presidential Endowed Dean of Engineering, and in 2023, he was named Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and of the Kahlert School of Computing.

Brian Cummings is the President and COO of e-SENS, Inc., a disruptive water technology company developing simple, scalable hardware and software solutions to improve water quality worldwide. A serial entrepreneur, he has founded more than 30 deep technology companies over his career, driven by a passion for bringing transformative innovations to market.

Previously, Cummings served as Vice President of Technology Commercialization at The Ohio State University and President of the Ohio State Innovation Foundation, where he managed all campus intellectual property and innovation assets. He launched more than 30 entrepreneurial programs for faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students, guiding over 3,000 students through commercialization curricula. He also held Director of Technology Commercialization roles at the University of Texas and the University of Utah, where he co-founded the Kickstart Seed Fund—now one of the most active and successful venture funds in the western United States.

Cummings was a founding partner in Alta Ventures, a Salt Lake City-based venture capital fund, and a member of The Innovation Institute, a think tank dedicated to teaching the lean canvas model for startup innovation and growth. He has held executive roles in multiple technology and biotech companies, holds advanced degrees in business and molecular biology, and has served on more than 30 boards. With deep expertise in intellectual property strategy, technology transfer, and company building, Cummings has a proven record of developing high-impact teams and guiding ventures from concept to success.

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 Superintendent at Greater Cincinnati Water Works, Tony oversees a $480M revenue stream and leads a 115-member team managing over 242,000 customer accounts across billing, field services, customer service, and revenue collection.

With dual master’s degrees in Business Administration and Human Resource Management, and a passion for equitable service delivery, Tony has implemented transformative initiatives such as customer debt relief programs, payment flexibility portals, and data-informed service shutoff processes. His leadership has resulted in improved customer satisfaction ratings (4.8/5), enhanced revenue recovery, and strengthened regional partnerships.

Tony’s career includes impactful roles at the City of Huntington, the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, and the Kanawha County Commission, where he led budgeting, audits, and cost-saving initiatives, including reducing jail costs by over $500K in one year. A recognized industry voice and 2025 WaterNow Alliance Emerging Leader Award recipient, Tony actively contributes to the sector through leadership in the Diversity in Water Speaker Series and the Ohio Section of the American Water Works Association.

He is a graduate of the Transformative Water Leadership Academy, where he now serves as a Small Group Coach, helping shape the next generation of water utility leaders.

James Perry

James Perry
Chief Executive Officer | ASTERRA
San 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 of ASTERRA, James leads a pioneering team at the forefront of Earth monitoring, leveraging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) analytics to deliver actionable insights that conserve critical resources and promote global sustainability.

Under his leadership, ASTERRA has revolutionized how water utilities and infrastructure operators detect and address subsurface issues. The company’s patented remote-sensing technology pinpoints freshwater leaks with exceptional accuracy, enabling smarter deployment of field crews and significantly reducing non-revenue water (NRW). Beyond utilities, ASTERRA’s solutions are rapidly expanding into critical infrastructure sectors—including dams, levees, canals, roads, railways, mining, and property monitoring—empowering organizations to manage risk, optimize operations, and protect natural resources.

Before taking the helm at ASTERRA, James held multiple leadership roles within the organization, including Executive Vice President and Vice President of Business Development. Prior to ASTERRA, he founded Perry Consultancy Group, and spent nearly 16 years in strategic leadership roles at HP, where he helped guide the transformation of analog to digital printing technologies.

James holds degrees in International Business and Psychology and is passionate about fostering innovation that delivers measurable impact on both people and the planet.

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 currently serves as CEO of Nucleic Sensing Systems, where he leads the development of Tracker—the world’s first autonomous, in-field device for continuous environmental DNA, RNA, and biomolecule monitoring.

He is also the CEO and founder of CD3 General Benefit Corporation, a company pioneering internet-connected boat cleaning infrastructure to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, combining behavioral science, data collection, and scalable technology.

Ed has successfully led multiple organizations from concept to profitability, consistently bridging science, strategy, and innovation. His expertise spans sustainable product development, conservation behavior change, environmental communications, and applied technology.

He holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources Science and Management from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s in Marine Affairs and Policy from the University of Miami.

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 CEO, Craig has built a career on integrity, strategic acumen, and a consistent ability to deliver measurable results. He has successfully led high-growth startups, executed complex M&A transactions, managed large global teams, and guided companies through critical transitions and turnarounds.

Currently serving as CEO of Aqua Membranes, Craig has helped position the company as a global innovator in water treatment technology. Under his leadership, Aqua Membranes has closed over $29 million in funding, expanded its intellectual property portfolio by 8x, and achieved an 11x valuation increase from its seed round through Series B. He negotiated a licensing agreement that delivered $4.6 million in pre-production revenue and helped the company earn prestigious accolades such as inclusion in the 2025 Global Cleantech 100 and GWI Breakthrough Technology of 2024. Craig’s visionary leadership has been instrumental in commercializing emerging technologies and building sustainable value.

Before Aqua Membranes, Craig was President and CEO of MIOX, where he spearheaded a 300% increase in revenue, reduced expenses by 32%, and generated a 400% return on equity for investors. His tenure culminated in a successful exit, leading MIOX’s acquisition by Johnson Matthey, where Craig stayed on to guide the integration and develop a long-term growth strategy. His ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments—ranging from global corporates to private equity partners—demonstrates his capacity for leadership under pressure and his talent for balancing strategic vision with tactical execution.

Craig’s broader career includes executive roles at GE Water and Osmonics, where he managed large-scale global sales teams, negotiated licensing and channel partnerships, and consistently outperformed revenue and margin targets. He has a reputation for fostering inclusive, empowered teams and for bringing calm, clarity, and accountability to high-stakes business environments. His leadership philosophy centers around transparency, ethical decision-making, and motivating individuals through recognition and shared purpose.

Craig holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and has completed executive education through GE’s Crotonville Leadership Institute, the Carlson School of Management, and the University of Wisconsin School of Business. In addition to his operating roles, Craig serves as a board advisor and consultant to companies in the cleantech, water treatment, and specialty chemical sectors. His advisory work includes roles with Phase Two Chemicals, Amane Advisors, and Aqua Research, among others.

A respected voice in the industry and a trusted leader across organizations, Craig Beckman combines operational excellence with visionary leadership, making him a valuable asset to any business aiming to scale, evolve, or reinvent itself for the future.

Scott Jauch

Scott Jauch I Condition Assessment Regional Practice Lead, Black & Veatch
Phoenix, 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 condition assessment and rehabilitation of buried infrastructure, particularly large-diameter water transmission mains. His expertise spans the planning, execution, and management of infrastructure assessment programs across the United States.

Scott currently serves as Vice Chair of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Main Condition Assessment Committee and is Chair of the AWWA Manual of Practice for Condition Assessment of Water Mains revision. His work has advanced industry standards through a combination of technical leadership, innovation, and collaborative project delivery.

Before joining Black & Veatch, Scott held key roles in major condition assessment programs nationwide, including for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Great Lakes Water Authority, and City of Ann Arbor. His project experience includes overseeing field evaluations, performing structural analyses, and delivering actionable insights for long-term asset management strategies.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arizona. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Water Works Association. He is fluent in English and is based in Black & Veatch’s Phoenix office.

Erin K. Rothman

Climate Scientist | Urban Planner | Entrepreneur
Innovating 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 environmental and social challenges facing communities today. Her work spans leading-edge research, technology development, and strategy across public and private sectors.

Erin is currently the Managing Director at Manzana City Inc. and Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Mērak Labs, where she leads multidisciplinary teams focused on resilience analytics, flood risk mapping, water quality, and climate adaptation. Her leadership is marked by the integration of smart sensor networks, advanced data analytics, and nature-based infrastructure planning to support climate-resilient communities across North America.

Previously, Erin was the founder and CEO of StormSensor, Inc., a climate tech company that revolutionized how cities monitor and respond to stormwater and coastal systems. There, she led innovation across product development, fundraising, strategy, and governance, raising $16M in investment and scaling a national presence.

Earlier in her career, Erin served as a Principal Scientist and Managing Principal at leading environmental consultancies including SLR Consulting, SoundEarth Strategies, and Rothman & Associates. She has advised city governments, developers, and nonprofits on environmental remediation, regulatory compliance, and sustainable redevelopment, bringing a unique blend of scientific insight and strategic oversight.

Erin holds an MSc in Natural Resources and Wetland Ecology from The Ohio State University and a BA in Technical and Scientific Communication from Miami University. She is known for translating complex data into actionable, equitable solutions—bridging ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities for long-term impact.

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, Growth, Market Development, and Global Director of Marketing and Growth Initiatives. Matt also worked at GE Water & Process Technologies, where he served as a Market Leader and Key Account Executive – Oil & Gas, Senior Business Development Manager, and Sales and Marketing Manager. Earlier in his career, Matt worked at Air Liquide as a Project Engineer and GEA Group as a Field Service Engineer – Biofuels. Matt started his career at Pall Corporation as an Applications Specialist – Pharma and F&B.

Matt Boczkowski’s education history includes several academic achievements in various fields. In 2001, he obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University. Moving forward, Matt pursued his passion for Chemical Engineering and completed his Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) degree from McGill University in 2006.

In 2008, Matt furthered his education by pursuing an MBA degree in Strategy and Marketing from HEC Montréal, which he completed in 2009. That same year, Matt also acquired a Certificate in Energy Management from Hydro-Québec, specializing in Renewable Energy.

In 2017, Matt attended Crotonville Alumni, where he earned a certificate in the Manager Development Course, focusing on Organizational Leadership. Finally, in 2019, he enrolled in the IESE Business School and successfully completed a Certificate program in Executive Leadership, emphasizing Business Administration and Management.

Throughout his education journey, Matt has consistently expanded their knowledge and expertise across diverse domains, including Microbiology, Engineering, Marketing, Energy Management, Leadership, and Business Administration.