Board of Directors
The Water Tower at Gwinnett
The Water Tower at Gwinnett (TWTG), a 501(c)4 organization, focuses on The Water Tower's real estate development and infrastructure.
Melvin Everson
Director
Melvin Everson currently serves as the Vice President for Economic Development at Gwinnett Technical College. As a long time Georgia resident, Melvin Everson has been heavily committed to Georgia. Born in Abbeville, Georgia, Melvin Graduated from Wilcox County High School in 1957. Mr. Everson went on to earn his Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminology from Albany State University and he’s a Graduate of the John E Reid School of Interrogation & Investigation in Chicago, Illinois and the Coverdale Leadership Institute.
Mr. Everson's experience includes serving 14-years with JC Penny as an Investigator, human resource representative and customer service management associate and 23-years in the US Army having served both Active and Reserve where he received numerous awards and medals. He is a former Snellville City Councilman and Vice Mayor, former Georgia State Representative serving House District 106, and a licensed Ordained Minister
Mr. Everson has been married for 37 years to Mrs. Geraldine McAdoo Everson and they have one son, and two grandchildren
Kyle Jones, Ed.D.
Director
Dr. Kyle Jones currently serves as the Director of Academies and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). As the twelfth largest school district in the United States, GCPS serves over 40,000 students in CTAE classrooms across middle and high school. Dr. Jones and his team is responsible for supporting over 400 CTAE teachers who bring college and career readiness to students every day in the fields of STEM, healthcare, entrepreneurship, marketing, film production, manufacturing, and many more. Prior to serving as director, Dr. Jones was a classroom teacher for ten years, an instructional coach, and a coordinator in the CTAE office. As an educator, he has won multiple awards recognizing his skills and leadership including being named the 2018 Georgia Council of Teachers of English Teacher of the Year, 2018 High School Teacher of Excellence for NCTE, and was a finalist two times for Teacher of the Year at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, GA. As a researcher, he has several research studies on student agency and identity as well as project-based learning published in a variety of books and research journals. Dr. Jones holds BA in English Education from Kennesaw State University (KSU), a Masters in Teaching and Digital Arts from the University of Georgia, and specialist and doctoral degrees from KSU. As a leader who aspires to lead with love and service first, Dr. Jones volunteers as the director for GCTE conferences, as a mentor to young men, and served for a decade as a youth leader in his church. You can learn more about Dr. Jones by visiting https://wkylejones.com
Jann Joseph, Ph.D.
Treasurer
Dr. Jann L. Joseph is the President of Georgia Gwinnett College. Her career has focused on increasing educational opportunities and student success. She graduated from the University of the West Indies - St. Augustine with a bachelor’s of science in agriculture and a master’s of philosophy in plant science. She taught with the Ministry of Education for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, where she also served as Agricultural Science department chair.
Joseph later graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a doctorate in curriculum and instruction in science education. Her teaching, research and administrative experience included three universities in the upper Midwest before being named president of GGC in 2019.
Nick Masino
Chair
Nick Masino is the President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett, located in Duluth, Georgia. Masino joined Partnership Gwinnett in 2007 and most recently served as Partnership Gwinnett’s Chief Economic Development Officer where he oversaw the business recruitment and retention efforts for Gwinnett, as well as the implementation of the Partnership Gwinnett Strategy. To create this community-focused economic development (ED) organization, Masino worked with public and private leadership to commission ED studies in 2011 and 2016; and spearheaded the implementation efforts of the initial plan in 2007—which has since brought approximately 250 company expansions or relocations, more than 23,000 new jobs and more than $1.7 billion in investment to Gwinnett. A leading authority on local and state economic development, Masino is regularly sought after for prominent speaking engagements throughout metro Atlanta and Georgia. In addition, he has spoken internationally, in Incheon and Seoul, South Korea and Wuxi, Chongqing and Qingdao, China, representing Georgia on government, economic development and international business subjects. As a result of his extensive expertise in the economic development arena, Masino is a preferred interviewee for regional and local television, radio, newspaper and magazine outlets.
Jessica Rantamaki
Director
Jessica Rantamaki of Geo-Hydro Engineers has resided in Gwinnett County since 2014. Her firm works with both public and private entities to develop projects throughout the Southeast. She has served on the Board of Directors for Associated Builders and Contractors and participated in the Leadership Gwinnett Program as a graduate of the Class of 2020. Jessica is currently pursuing a degree in Public Administration at Georgia Gwinnett College, and she is active in many organizations such as CREW (Commercial Real Estate for Women) and ULI (Urban Land Institute). She also actively volunteers at Annandale Village in her hometown of Suwanee, Georgia, where she resides with her husband Rick and two dogs. Jessica often enjoys running and hiking through the various Gwinnett County parks and trail systems. She considers Gwinnett’s green space “a true gem that brings tourists, residents, and economic development to the community.”
Ron Seibenhener
Director
Ron Seibenhener retired from Gwinnett County Government in 2019 where he served as Director of the Department of Water Resources and was the driving force behind the creation of The Water Tower.
The Water Tower Institute
The Water Tower Institute (TWTI), a 501(c)3 organization, focuses on The Water Tower's programming in applied research, technology innovation, workforce development, and community engagement.
Bruce Bharat
Chair
Bruce Bharat is currently the Regional President for Kamstrup North America, bringing a wealth of experience as an entrepreneurial, customer-centric senior executive, and innovator. With a proven track record, Bruce has led high-performing teams across product, engineering, sales, and marketing, delivering comprehensive end-to-end solutions in hardware, network connectivity, and software within the Internet of Things (IoT) across diverse enterprise verticals. Bruce is widely recognized for his ability to build agile teams and foster innovative cultures, ensuring successful hardware and software solution delivery. His contributions extend to business incubation, integration, and industry thought leadership.
Erica Brown, PMP
Secretary
Erica Brown is a strategic nonprofit leader with an impressive 25-year track record in the water sector currently serving as Director of Administration at Fairfax Water. Leveraging robust interpersonal skills, personnel management expertise, and tactical planning abilities, she has consistently driven organizational objectives and ensured sustained success. With over 15 years of progressive senior-level experience, Erica has excelled in various key areas such as advocacy, budgeting, fundraising, member development, engagement, recruitment, and retention, as well as personnel management and mentorship. Her comprehensive skill set extends to program management and strategic initiatives, where she has made significant contributions. Erica possesses in-depth knowledge of policies, science, and key stakeholders relevant to drinking water utilities. Her expertise covers a range of critical areas, including regulatory issues, climate adaptation and mitigation, resilience, homeland security, sustainability, environmental justice, and effective utility management.
Tony V. Carnell, P.E.
Director
Tony V. Carnell is an accomplished Executive and Professional Engineer, bringing an impressive 28 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry. His proven expertise spans leadership, development, customer service, and operations, making him a seasoned professional in the field. In his role as General Manager for Henry County Water Authority, Tony holds the responsibility for the strategic, financial, and general oversight of Henry County Water Authority's operations and management team. Managing an operating budget of $82 million and leading a team of over 280 employees, he has demonstrated his exceptional skills in ensuring operational excellence and organizational success.
Glen T. Daigger, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, NAE
Director, Interim RAC Chair
Dr. Daigger is currently Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan and President and Founder of One Water Solutions, LLC, a water engineering and innovation firm. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for CH2M HILL (now Jacobs) where he was employed for 35 years, as well as Professor and Chair of Environmental Systems Engineering at Clemson University. Actively engaged in the water profession through major projects, and as author or co-author of more than 200 technical papers, five books, and several technical manuals, he contributes to significantly advance practice within the water profession. He has advised many of the major cites of the world, including New York, Los Angles, San Francisco, Detroit, Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Beijing. Deeply involved in professional activities, he is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Water Research Reuse Foundation (WRF), and a Past President of the International Water Association (IWA). The recipient of numerous awards, including the Kappe, Freese, and Feng lectures and the Harrison Prescott Eddy, Morgan, and the Gascoigne Awards, and the Pohland Medal, he is a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a Distinguished Fellow of IWA, and a Fellow of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). A member of a number of professional societies, Dr. Daigger is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineers.
Ralph Erik Exton
Director
Ralph Erik Exton is a highly effective senior executive leader renowned for his substantial expertise in water and environmental sustainability. With a focus on business strategy, he excels in delivering world-class products and solutions while embodying transformational leadership. Ralph's outstanding ability to cultivate emerging talent is complemented by his exceptional experience in developing new business models and identifying M&A opportunities for robust growth. Ralph has successfully led digital, commercial, and marketing teams across multiple global locations, navigating diverse functional domains with broad scope and complexity. His leadership extends beyond organizational boundaries, with significant external Board leadership experience. Ralph currently serves as Executive Director at Water Environment Federation.
Terrell S. Gibbs, Ph.D., P.E.
Treasurer
Dr. Terrell S. Gibbs currently serves as the department head of CERM’s Environmental Business Group. Dr. Gibbs has over 19 years of progressive and diverse environmental sustainability experience, specializing in water resources. Specific areas of expertise include water/sewer/stormwater infrastructure design and management, reservoir site yield analysis, utility operations and management, water and sewer master planning, watershed and source water assessments, and water and sewer utility operations and program management. An active community advocate, Dr. Gibbs’s community involvement includes serving as a member of the South DeKalb YMCA Board of Directors and as board chair for the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation.
Nick Masino
Director
Nick Masino is the President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett, located in Duluth, Georgia. Masino joined Partnership Gwinnett in 2007 and most recently served as Partnership Gwinnett’s Chief Economic Development Officer where he oversaw the business recruitment and retention efforts for Gwinnett, as well as the implementation of the Partnership Gwinnett Strategy. To create this community-focused economic development (ED) organization, Masino worked with public and private leadership to commission ED studies in 2011 and 2016; and spearheaded the implementation efforts of the initial plan in 2007—which has since brought approximately 250 company expansions or relocations, more than 23,000 new jobs and more than $1.7 billion in investment to Gwinnett. A leading authority on local and state economic development, Masino is regularly sought after for prominent speaking engagements throughout metro Atlanta and Georgia. In addition, he has spoken internationally, in Incheon and Seoul, South Korea and Wuxi, Chongqing and Qingdao, China, representing Georgia on government, economic development and international business subjects. As a result of his extensive expertise in the economic development arena, Masino is a preferred interviewee for regional and local television, radio, newspaper and magazine outlets.
Eileen O'Neill, Ph.D.
Immediate Past Chair
Dr. Eileen O’Neill works on issues of water, innovation, and leadership. Before setting up her own company in September 2019, she was Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, (U.S) and the organizer of WEFTEC, the world’s largest annual water quality conference and exhibition. In that capacity she led a staff of more than 100, oversaw an annual budget of $28+ million, and served as the Secretary of the Federation’s Board of Trustees.
While at WEF for 28 years, Dr. O’Neill served as Executive Director for more than six. During her WEF career, she held a variety of positions overseeing programs including as the only female and non-engineer to have served as WEF’s staff technical lead, its Chief Technical Officer. She believes in the power of research and science and also of partnership and collaboration and brought this to her work at WEF and as an officer of the Water Environment Research Foundation and the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation. She is passionate about growing the cadre of women leaders in the water sector and beyond.
Before joining WEF, Dr. O’Neill worked in academia and environmental consulting in the U.S. and in Europe. She has a B.S. in soil science from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (U.K.) and a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Aberdeen (U.K) and holds the Board Certified Environmental Scientist Credential (with a specialty certification in environmental chemistry) from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists.
Shane A. Snyder, Ph.D., BCES
Director
Dr. Shane A. Snyder is the José Domingo Pérez Foundation Chair Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. An internationally recognized expert in water sustainability and environmental engineering, Dr. Snyder has over two decades of experience addressing emerging contaminants, water reuse, and environmental health. He has held prominent leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute in Singapore, and has advised organizations such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With over 36,000 citations and an h-index of 92, his groundbreaking research has shaped global policies and technologies for water safety, sustainability, and public health.
To learn more about serving on the TWTI or TWTG Boards, apply to serve on a Board,
or nominate a colleague to apply, visit our Call for Board Members page.