In the concluding event of the 2010 American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE10), Joseph Mantua accepted the gavel on June 23 and became president of the association.

Calling for water industry leaders to “be bold, take chances,” Mantua, a Black & Veatch client services manager, laid out his agenda for his one-year term. He pledged to facilitate a smooth transition for AWWA’s new executive director, David LaFrance; to complete several association projects already in motion; to enhance member value; and to build relationships and strategic partnerships with other organizations.

Mantua, who spent many years in a utility environment with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, becomes president at a time when the water industry is facing enormous challenges: aging infrastructure, regulatory uncertainties, climate change, a pending workforce crisis, and limited financing. “One could easily come to the conclusion that the future is bleak,” Mantua said. “But I believe that these challenges present the opportunity for AWWA and the water community to embrace adversity and to adapt to our changing world by doing things differently.”

Mantua has been an active member of AWWA’s Chesapeake Section since 1987, serving on numerous committees as chair and as section trustee and director. He has also served on the association board of directors and as vice president for the past year.

Mantua has worked in the water industry for 26 years. With a background and license as a professional engineer, he previously served as head of project delivery for WSSC, one of the largest U.S. utilities, where he designed and implemented water projects. Now, with Black & Veatch, he manages water and wastewater projects for clients in the Washington D.C. area.

In recognition of his diplomatic talent, skilled engineering, and constructive leadership, Mantua received the Malcolm Shaneman Quality of Life Award from the Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association in 2005, and he won AWWA’s George Warren Fuller award in 2006. “My predecessors have shown tremendous vision, and we’ve worked hard to initiate a number of exciting changes,” Mantua said. “I am committed to bringing these programs to completion. Our members, our volunteers and our sections are the heart and soul of this organization.”