WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Brown and Caldwell, a leading environmental engineering and construction firm, today announced Dr. John Willis has been made a Fellow of the Water Environment Federation (WEF).
Formed in 1928, WEF is a not-for-profit association that provides technical education and training for thousands of water quality professionals worldwide who clean water and return it safely to the environment. The prestigious, peer-nominated Fellow designation recognizes members’ achievements, stature, and contributions to the preservation and enhancement of the water profession.
During his impressive 30-year career with Brown Caldwell, Vice President Dr. Willis has specialized in municipal and industrial water and wastewater studies and designs, including innovative biosolids systems, biological treatment, and pumping facilities. He has a history of consistently identifying pioneering solutions to biosolids, treatment, and energy-use challenges with leadership, communication, and creativity. His advanced biosolids experience includes designing the country’s first Class A thermophilic anaerobic digestion facility, serving as principal investigator for the Water Environment Research Foundation’s Barriers to Biogas Use for Renewable Energy, and co-authoring the EPA’s Evaluation of Combined Heat and Power Technologies for Wastewater Facilities. Additionally, Dr. Willis was recently co-awarded a U.S. Department of Energy Water Resource Recovery Prize for the proposed integration of hydrothermal liquefaction to convert wastewater sludge into renewable biocrude (that can be refined into renewable diesel and naphtha) and natural gas into the solids-handling train at a water resource recovery facility in Washington state.
“I am very pleased that John’s peers have awarded his dedication to advancing the water profession with this prestigious recognition. His highly respected technical knowledge, creativity, and passion have helped the industry reimagine the water cycle for the reuse of resources for the betterment of our environment for future generations.”
Brown and Caldwell Chief Technical Officer Cindy Paulson
Chairman of WEF’s Bioenergy Subcommittee, Dr. Willis is a licensed professional engineer in numerous states and an American Academy of Environmental Engineers board-certified environmental engineer. He holds a doctorate in environmental engineering from the University of Queensland, and a master’s in civil and environmental engineering and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Duke University.