Meet the Team

O2 Environmental Technology Assessment Group

The O2 Environmental Technology Assessment Group (TAG) is an unrivalled source of water technology market expertise.

The O2 TAG specialises in providing strategic consultancy including

1. Technology and Commercial Due Diligence

2. Merger and Acquisition Pipeline Development

3. Strategy and Ideation Workshops

The TAG comprises leading international experts specializing in the technical and market analysis of emerging water & environmental technologies.

The group has been involved with over two-thirds of recent venture capital investments in the water technology sector.

The collective experience and combined network of the group makes the O2 TAG is uniquely positioned to support water strategy development.

hubert-flemingDr. Hubert Fleming
Area of Specialization: Mining Water Treatment – technologies and markets
Dr. Hubert Fleming is a consultant in water management, primarily in natural resources- mining, oil/gas. He is former Global Director, Hatch, a global engineering/ construction firm, and prior, was President, Severn Trent Services. Hu holds MS and PhD degrees in chemical engineering from Cornell University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School. He is well recognized in water treatment, particularly membranes, and is co-author of the Handbook of Membrane Technology as well as the Handbook of Environmental Applications of Adsorption. Hu has served on numerous committees including advisor to International Finance Corporation, World Bank, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, and chairman, NATO task force on environmental affairs.

 

Glen DaiggerGlen T. Daigger, PhD, PE, DEE

Area of Specialization: Wastewater Treatment , Biosolids treatment and Nutrient removal
Dr. Glen Daigger has more than 30 years of experience in wastewater treatment plant evaluation, troubleshooting, and process design. His areas of expertise include biological wastewater treatment and treatment process design, in particular biological nutrient removal (both nitrogen and phosphorus), combined trickling filter and activated sludge systems, the use of biological selectors to control activated sludge bulking, and oxygen transfer. He has served as a process engineer, project engineer, and project consultant on a variety of municipal wastewater treatment projects. He has contributed to all phases of facility development, from pilot studies to startup and troubleshooting. Between 1994 and 1996 he served as professor and head of the Environmental Systems Engineering Department at Clemson University.

In his role as CH2M HILL’s Chief Wastewater Process Engineer, Dr. Glen Daigger was responsible for wastewater process engineering on both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment projects. He was also the first Technical Fellow for the firm, an honor which recognizes the leadership that he provides for CH2M HILL and for the profession in the development and implementation of new wastewater treatment technology.
He is the author of numerous reports, articles, and conference presentations on wastewater treatment and sustainable wastewater infrastructure. Among the numerous topics he has written on are bioreactors, nutrient removal, water quality, optimization, chemically-enhanced treatment, and activated sludge. His texts including Biological Wastewater Treatment, Upgrading Wastewater Treatment Plants, and Principles and Practice of Phosphorus and Nitrogen Removal from Municipal Wastewater, are used in engineering classrooms across the country. Glen has also held the position of President of the International Water Association for two consecutive terms.

 

IMG_6090Dr. Graeme K. Pearce

Area of Specialization: Membranes filtration, Membrane technologies and markets

Dr Graeme K Pearce, is a membrane technology specialist with 30 years experience in the membrane industry and member of the O2 TAG.

A graduate of Oxford University with a chemistry first degree and a chemical engineering doctorate, Graeme’s introduction to membrane technology started in BP Chemicals R&D in 1980. In 1991, Graeme was Technical Director of the core team to start up Kalsep, a Separations company formed by a management buy-out from BP. Kalsep specialized in membrane and filtration systems for water, wastewater, and process applications, and achieved a $7.5 million dollar turnover within 6 years.

Graeme joined Hydranautics in 2000, where he was responsible for the development and marketing of the ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF) technology.

In 2005, Graeme left Hydranautics to form an independent consultancy, Membrane Consultancy Associates (MCA). A deep understanding of both technology and markets enables Graeme to provide a comprehensive service in the field of membrane technology in liquid treatment. Assignments have included advice on technology development and improvement, competitive positioning, market strategy, and growth opportunities. Graeme has also acted as an advisor in mergers and acquisitions.

Click to download Dr. Graeme Pearce’s detailed resume.

 

Jim HotchkiesJames W. Hotchkies

Area of Specialization: Commercialization and implementation of advanced water technologies

With over 25 years of experience in the water industry, Jim Hotchkies focuses on the identification, commercialization and implementation of advanced technologies to deliver the highest level of water & wastewater treatment with the lowest energy footprint and the lowest environmental impact. With an extensive, global network spanning the business, financial & technical sectors, Jim enables technology innovators to move from concept to commercial reality, and systems providers to deliver the most advanced & effective solutions for the treatment of water & wastewater.

Jim is Managing Director of JWH Consulting GmbH, Chairman of Aquarion AG, Vice-President – Commercial for BluMetric Environmental Inc., and serves on the Advisory Boards for the Pictet Water Fund, Advanced Mem-Tech Ltd., Emefcy Ltd., and ClearCove Systems Inc.

Prior to his current activities, Jim was Head of International Business Development for the Water Membrane Division of LG Electronics; Managing Director for Ostara Europe; Vice President at Toray Membrane Europe and Toray Membrane USA; Senior Vice President – EMEA for ZENON Environmental (later part of GE Water); Founding Director of the Sheridan Environmental Technology Institute; President of Pyxis Systems Group Inc.; Vice President at Kontek Ecology Systems and Manager of Market Development Engineering for the Algoma Steel Corporation.

 

"Robert Gerard O2 TAG"Robert Gerard, M. Sc.

Area of Specialization: Electro-separation Desalination Technology – Capacitive Deionization, Electro Dialysis (ED), Electro Deionization

Since 1985, Robert Gerard has been active in the field of Membrane Technology. He is a graduate of the Twente University of Technology, in the Netherlands with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a major in Membrane Technology. Upon the completion of a post graduate assignment at the University of Tokyo, Robert joined as a Technical Director, Nitto Denko Corporation located in California.

Following the acquisition of Hydranautics by Nitto Denko, Robert was involved in the development and marketing of new generations of reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration products. In 1991, Robert established the operations of Hydranautics, in Europe, which developed into a ten million dollar business within five years.

Mr. Gerard entered the field of E-Separation Technology in 1998 when he started the activities for E-Cell Corporation as Managing Director for Europe. E-Cell was part of the first acquisition by General Electric in the water space. As part of GE Water and Process Technologies, Robert was involved in some of the most recognized merger and acquisition activities in the water industry during the past decade, including Betz, Osmonics, Ionics and Zenon. At GEW&PT, Robert held a number of technical and commercial positions with increasing responsibility.

In 2009 Robert became the Managing Director of QUA, a start-up company with activities in Electro-Deionization and Ultrafiltration. Recently Mr. Gerard founded Aqualogy, a membrane consultancy company which focuses on applications and markets covered by E-Separation technologies.

Over the course of a career spanning more than 25 years, Robert has published numerous articles and has been directly involved in the development of various important innovations within the field of Membrane Technology.

In depth technical knowledge, international experience and commercial expertise enables Mr. Gerard to provide a comprehensive service in the field of water and waste water treatment.

 

Corina CarpentierCorina Carpentier Dr. Corina Carpentier

Area of Specialization: On-line sensors and real-time monitoring Water Quality Monitoring

Corina Carpentier, PhD (Ecotoxicology) has been active in the field of (ecological) water quality monitoring since 1996. She supports (drinking) water utilities and water authorities in the selection of the most suitable (combination of) online sensors and monitors to obtain essential water quality information for process optimization and control, or compliance checking. This also includes the collection, assessment and reporting of large datasets, thus ensuring the availability of all essential information to take operational decisions and determine future water quality goals. To this end, she enters into cooperation with sensor and data evaluation experts worldwide. Since 2012, as a project manager and (ecological) monitoring expert of an international consortium, she has been involved in the development of a compendium documenting the types, costs and experience with the use of online sensors and monitors in the global water industry. Examples of related projects are the development of a monitoring station for the Huangpu River in Shanghai (2007-2009) and the development of an intake protection system for drinking water production for the city of Iaşi (Romania).

Dr. Carpentier regularly presents (ecological) water quality monitoring technologies and approaches to water professionals and operators. Additionally, she teaches training courses on online algal monitoring using fluorometry techniques and online toxicity monitoring using various organisms (algae, daphnia).

Dr. Carpentier has been active as a consultant for DG Environment of the European Commission regarding (drinking) water quality since 2002. She led the project team which organized a Drinking Water Seminar to revise the European Drinking Water Directive for DG Environment of the European Commission in 2003. She also managed three consecutive projects on Reporting Obligations under EU Water Legislation for DG Environment between 2002 and 2010. In 2012-2013 she developed a new concept for the future of reporting under the Drinking Water Directive, commissioned by DG Environment of the European Commission.

 

IMG_6095Bill DeWaal Ph.D.

Area of Specialization: Technology Scouting and Horizon Planning

Bill joined Trojan Technologies in 1996 in a market development position for an advanced oxidation technology. This resulted in the establishment of a major business unit for Trojan. Much of his activities have been focused on finding new applications for UV technologies and investigating innovative water and wastewater treatment technologies that are not based on UV. He has investigated many start-up companies and has worked to develop relationships with them which could potentially lead to a business venture.

Bill received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of British Columbia and has maintained an interest in technical development throughout his career.

Bill spent the early part of his career in the chemical industry where he was involved in research, technical service, market development and business management. His experience includes working for a start-up company and for multinational companies (Exxon & Bayer). At these firms he was involved in the specialty chemical, lubricant and polymer industries. He has worked in Canada, USA and Switzerland.

His entry into the environmental industry has resulted in a broadening his technical background and has added exposure to the municipal drinking & wastewater treatment market as well as various industrial markets.

Click to download Bill de Waal’s detailed resume.

 

"John Veil O2 TAG"John Veil

Area of Specialization: Produced Water Management in Oil and Gas industry

John Veil founded Veil Environmental, LLC, a consulting practice specializing in water issues affecting the energy industries, upon his retirement from Argonne National Laboratory in January 2011. Mr. Veil spent more than 20 years as the manager of the Water Policy Program for Argonne National Laboratory in Washington, DC, where he was a senior scientist. He analyzed a variety of energy industry water and waste issues for the Department of Energy.

Mr. Veil has a B.A. in Earth and Planetary Science from Johns Hopkins University, and two M.S. degrees — in Zoology and Civil Engineering — from the University of Maryland.

Before joining Argonne, Mr. Veil managed Maryland’s programs for industrial water pollution control permitting through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Underground Injection Control (UIC). Mr. Veil also served as a faculty member of the University of Maryland, Department of Zoology for several years.

Mr. Veil has been recognized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers as a Distinguished Lecturer in 2008-2009, and as the recipient of the 2009 international award for Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Social Responsibility. Mr. Veil has published many articles and reports and is frequently invited to make presentations on environmental and energy issues. Click here to download John Veil’s detailed Resume

 

IMG_6092Mike Hughes

Area of Specialization: Filtration (Macrofiltration and Ultrafiltration) and MBR

Mike is a qualified mechanical engineer and has held senior positions within the membrane, filtration, water and wastewater industry for over 20 years.
Initially a development engineer for Miller Water and then Thames Water, Mike held positions of Sales, Commercial and Managing Director for PCI Membranes, a specialist membrane manufacturer and system supplier owned by Thames.
Following acquisition by ITT Corporation, Mike held the role of Executive Director, ITT Aquious with responsibilities for desalination, water and wastewater membrane systems, aeration and disinfection businesses.
With ITT, Mike has also held positions of Executive Director for ITT Water and Wastewater and Business Development Director for international developing markets, driving international sales and developing international offices and representation. Mike has secured many major contracts and managed significant projects including portfolio rationalisation, acquisition, disposal and international relocation.
As a consultant since 2008, Mike has supported a cross-section of businesses from small start-ups to large multinationals, supplying business, market and filtration specialist advice on technologies and markets. Mike also supports a small number of specialist consultancies. Mike is responsible for the microfiltration division of Porvair Filtration Group and is a director of 2 other filtration companies.

 

Michael MickleyDr. Michael Mickley

Area of Specialization: Desalination, Brine Management and Zero Liquid Discharge

Dr. Michael Mickley has experience working in the field of desalination technology since 1966. Since 1990, most of Michael’s work within this field has focused on the area of concentrate/brine management. Michael has been worked as a consultant to major engineering companies on several projects that involved site-specific evaluation of disposal options. His more recent international efforts have addressed challenges in Oman, U.A.E., South Africa, and Australia involving ZLD processing with associated salt recovery.

Michael’s research projects have been funded by Water Research Foundation (formerly AwwaRF), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Naval Research, and WateReuse Research Foundation (WRRF) – all addressing various concentrate/brine management issues. His recent reports include a 2008 WRRF report entitled Survey of ZLD and Volume Minimization Technologies for Water Utilities and a 2013 WRRF report entitled Development of a Knowledge Base for Desalination Concentrate and Salt Management.

Michael is an internationally recognized expert in concentrate/brine management and is on the editorial board of Desalination and Water Treatment

Click here to download Dr. Michael Mickley’s detailed Resume

 

Mark WilfDr. Mark Wilf

Area of Specialization: Reverse Osmosis Membrane Desalination

Dr. Mark Wilf is a membrane technology expert with over 35 years of experience in the membrane industry. His previous responsibilities have included development of membrane products, processes and system design for RO and membrane filtration applications. He served as Technical Director and Vice President of R&D at Hydranautics, and Director of Membrane Technology at Tetra Tech, a global engineering firm.

Since 2010, he works as an independent consultant advising clients regarding new product development, membrane system design and operation, optimization of process economics and training water professionals on design and operation of membrane water treatment systems. He is an editor of two handbooks on membrane technology applications, and is named as inventor and co-inventor of numerous patents.

Click here to download Dr. Mark Wilf’s detailed Resume

 

William ToffeyWilliam Toffey William E. Toffy

Area of Specialization: Biosolids Management and Nutrient Recovery

Mr. Toffey has 35 years’ experience in municipal wastewater, environmental and energy management. He is the principal of Effluential Synergies LLC, a sustainable residuals consultancy, and serves as the Executive Director of the Mid Atlantic Biosolids Association, a trade group that covers seven states and supports an industry with 700 biosolids generators and 1,500 professionals.

During his career he has authored over 60 papers and presentations to a range of local, national and international technical audiences. Mr. Toffey directed development of innovative recycling programs for wastewater solids for the city of Philadelphia, and has participated in numerous conferences, research projects and training programs to bring best-in-class practices to the wastewater profession.

He has been an industry leader in bringing sustainability principles to the water profession, and has recently worked on thermal processing, co-digestion and nutrient extraction projects for public and private clients. Mr. Toffey graduated with distinction from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, and has a Masters of Regional Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is active in national and international professional organizations, including the Water Environment Federation, Water Environment Research Foundation, and International Water Association.

 

Judith Hershell 2-Black BackgroundJudith A. Herschell

Ms. Herschell’s career, spanning over 30 years, has included extensive experience in the municipal and industrial water/wastewater treatment industry and engineered systems. Her experience provides her with a wealth of knowledge of a variety of treatment solutions. These include spiral wound membranes, hollow fiber membranes, tubular membranes, ceramic membranes, self-cleaning filters, activated carbon towers, dual media filters, multi-effect stills, water softeners, deionizers and advanced oxidation equipment for a wide range of pure water and process applications.

In 2003, Judith founded Herschell Environmental, an engineering and business development company. She has brought a creative approach to over 45 early stage market and product entries, expansion strategies and M&A due diligence projects. She has strategized and executed the commercialization of many technologies. She has provided technical and commercial support for a cross-section of multinational companies, investors and start ups. Her experience includes structuring strategic alliances to maximize success with the expertise of the partners.

During Ms. Herschell’s extensive experience in business development she has a consistent record of formulating and driving long-range strategies with a big picture approach. She led the entry of these companies in new product introduction, instituting marketing plans, strategic planning, technical development, budgeting, pricing strategies and directing sales efforts. She understands customer, industry, economic, competitive and governmental influences.

Multiple companies that are active in water treatment and oil & gas have benefitted from her leadership and board service. She has held senior management roles in both the municipal and industrial sectors, serving in engineering and equipment companies in various capacities. Examples include serving as Vice President and company officer at AECOM and Executive Vice President of Norit Americas. At AECOM, a multi-national engineering firm, she managed business development for water, wastewater, stormwater and hazardous waste pursuits. At Norit Americas, she led the commercial and technical facets of the company for the Americas for hollow fiber and tubular membranes, growing the sales by 3200% in 2 years.

Dedicated to giving back to the industry, Ms. Herschell is an active member in many professional organizations, including The Marcellus Shale Coalition’s Research Collaborative (MSCRC), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the American Membrane Technologies Association (AMTA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). She chaired the MSCRC’s 2013 Technology Showcase. She currently serves as Chair of the AWWA Membrane Processes Committee (MPC) and served as Vice Chair of this committee from June 2011 to June 2014. She was a member of the AWWA 2006 Desalination Symposium Planning Committee. She was Vice Chair for the AWWA 2007 Membrane Technology Conference and Exhibition Planning Committee and Chair of this conference in 2014. She served on the AMTA Technical Program Planning Committee for the 2011 Annual Conference. In addition, she has been a member of WEF’s Membrane Community of Practice and International Coordination Committees. She is the author of numerous publications in these industries and has presented at national and regional professional conferences and seminars.

She holds degrees in Biology and Psychology from Geneva College and Mechanical Engineering from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her graduate studies were in Biology at California University of Pennsylvania.

 

Screen Shot 2016-01-04 at 16.21.57G. Wade Miller

Wade Miller is currently a water strategies consultant, assisting private and public sector clients with business planning, strategy development, mergers and acquisitions, market research, fundraising, and Washington representation.

For almost 14 years (2000-2014), he served as the Executive Director of the WateReuse Association – a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science, and technology using reclamation, recycling, reuse, and desalination. Mr. Miller was also Executive Director of the WateReuse Research Foundation, which conducts applied research on water reuse and desalination.

Mr. Miller has been involved in the water field in various capacities for approximately 40 years. He twice served as an advisor to presidential commissions on water (i.e., President Carter’s Intergovernmental Water Policy Task Force in 1979; and the National Council on Public Works Improvement in 1987-88). Mr. Miller was instrumental in the establishment of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and the International Association of Environmental Testing Laboratories and served as Executive Director of both associations. Before joining the WateReuse Association in 2000, he owned his own management consulting firm. During the course of his career, Mr. Miller has authored and published numerous papers, reports, and chapters in books.

Mr. Miller is a Fellow of the Center for Integrated Water Research at the University of California Santa Cruz and has served on numerous boards in the past (e.g., Global Water Research Coalition, College of Chemical and Life Sciences at the U. of Maryland, etc.)

He is a graduate of the University of Maryland (B.S., Chemistry) and has pursued graduate studies in marketing and finance at American University and Virginia Tech.

 

17. Steve GluckSteve Gluck, Ph.D.

Area of Specialization: Industrial wastewater and analytical chemistry technology assessment

With 36 years at Dow Chemical Company, in research and development and commercial technology assessment, Dr. Steve Gluck now provides technology assessment services as an independent consultant in the water / wastewater sector.

Over the course of his career, Steve has directed a broad range of international projects including algal based biofeedstocks, aquaculture water treatment, advanced oxidation, osmotic membrane processes, microscreens and ultrafiltration. His areas of expertise include process development and troubleshooting, sustainable water resources solutions, due-diligence and technology assessment in water/wastewater management.

During his most recent tenure at Dow, he led the technology direction for new product and business development for water and wastewater treatment. He was responsible for technical due-diligence and team leadership for an expanded product portfolio for advances in the membranes, filtration and wastewater component business as well as selection of targeted markets. In addition, he served as Intellectual Capital Manager for Environmental Technologies. He created teams and provided leadership and training for projects in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

An active member of the Water Environment Federation, Steve has chaired / co-chaired committees, workshops or panel discussions on laboratory practices, process analytical, upstream oil and gas, and algae for the treatment of wastewater and by-product generation. He has given numerous international presentations in his field of expertise, has authored 29 publications, been granted 4 patents and currently holds several active patent applications. He also served as President of the Instrumentation Testing Association for 8 years.

Steve received a BS in Chemistry from Whitworth University, an MS in Chemistry from the University of Idaho and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Leipzig, Germany where he presented his oral defense in German.

 

SlavaSlava Libman, Director of Advanced Water Analysis at Air Liquide

Dr. Slava Libman is the Director of Advanced Water Analysis at Air Liquide – Balazs NanoAnalysis (Fremont, California). He is Air Liquide International Expert. He has over 20 years of experience in water and wastewater treatment, desalination, and water reuse in municipal and industrial applications. His experience includes design, operation, and technology development with the advanced water and wastewater systems. Dr. Libman earned his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology (Haifa, Israel) and holds Professional Engineering license in Environmental Engineering.
Dr. Libman’s contributions include more than 50 publications and Conference presentations in the area of water technology. He is active with cross industry activities, including organizing and moderating conferences, development of industry guidelines and water technology related standards. Slava was involved in Artemis to 50 Water Companies competition and is active with O2 Environmental Technology Assessment Group.

O2 Environmental Team

Paul O’Callaghan M.Sc.

Blue-15Paul O’Callaghan is the founding CEO of O2 Environmental, and CEO of BlueTech Research, a subsidiary company of O2Environmental that provides clients with expert insight and analysis on industry drivers and trends and the evolving water technology market.

Paul holds a Master’s Degree in Water Resource Management and has 19 years international experience in the water industry. He is the author of numerous papers on water and wastewater treatment, has been a guest lecturer at Harvard Business School, presented on the Discovery Channel, and delivered key-note addresses at the Singapore International Water Week TechXchange Workshop, BlueTech Forum and presented at numerous international events including Blue, Green & Gold in Zurich, the Saudi Water & Power Forum in Jeddah, AlwaysOn Going Green, Water Innovations Alliance, European Energy Fair and the World Water Investment Summit.

Paul has held the position of chair of a technical committee on decentralized wastewater management in British Columbia, and is an industry expert reviewer for Sustainable Development Technology Canada. As co-author of “Water Technology Markets – key opportunities and emerging trends’, Paul provided cutting edge analysis of BlueTech growth and investment opportunities in the water sector. Paul is an active member of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA).

Download Paul O Callaghan’s Detailed Resume.