Arthur von Wiesenberger
Moderator and Water Master for the 2008 International Water Tasting & Competition
Noted water expert and consultant

Arthur is well known for his highly successful Champagne and caviar club, Nipper's. He has been in the wine tasting business for many years and in the late 70's began conducting water tastings in his winter festival home state of California. He has worked as a water consultant for Anheiser-Busch and Perrier, as well as many others. He is a past president of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, the American Institute of Wine and Food and the Society of Wine Educators. He has written five books including Champagne & Caviar, A Pocket Guide to Bottled Water and The Taste of Water. He was the Water Master of the First International Water Tasting Festival: International Water Tasting & Competition in 1990 and has been here for all but two since and then only because of the birth of two of his sons.

TOPIC: America's Projected Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs For The Twenty First Century

In the coming decade a new national dialogue is needed with participation from all sectors of American society in regard to investing in our critical water infrastructure. Americans must make their voices heard as we work together toward a new, twenty first century agreement for clean and safe water for every citizen.

Scott Shipe Scott’s professional career has spanned more than 30 years in the water industry. He has served as Superintendent of a large multi-jurisdiction utility. Scott holds numerous water & waste water state license registrations in several states. Scott has consulted with water utilities for many years as owner of J. Scott & Associates, Inc. a company he formed in the 1990’s. He has been active in the American Water Works Association for over 28 years and has served as Section Trustee, MAC Executive Council Member, Diamond Pin President and served as Chair of the Chesapeake Section. Scott is a water advocate for the Industry and has participated for the past seven years in the AWWA Fly In. This has included meeting with Senate and House members discussing many issues including the 2007 Farm Bill, Investing in Infrastructure, MTBE, Chemical Security Act and Lead in our Drinking Water. He also has participated in numerous presentations to the public including radio and television interviews. Scott has received numerous awards in the Water Industry including the Presidential Platinum, Gold, Silver, Ambassador and the Carl John Lauter Fellowship for outstanding service to the Water Industry.

TOPIC: " Saving the planet, saving lives"

A look at how the global bottled water industry is saving water, energy, packaging and people.

Nayl D'Souza A journalism graduate of Bournemouth University, Nayl D'Souza began his career working for a financial publisher in London. After gaining more media experience in the East Midlands, Nayl travelled to Oman in 2000 and spent over three years as deputy editor of the country's leading business title.

He returned to the UK to join Future Publishing where he managed the editorial production of two automotive magazines. He is currently with Zenith International Publishing and is Editor of Water Innovation magazine in Bath, England.

TOPIC: " Water and the interconnections of supply sustainability, land use, energy and climate change"

Joe Hankins is a Vice President of The Conservation Fund based in Arlington, Va., and is the Director of The Freshwater Institute, a field office and program of The Fund. Mr. Hankins earned a BS in General Science from Purdue University in 1979 and a Masters in Environmental Biology from Hood College. In 1992, Mr. Hankins joined the Fund and the research team at Freshwater Institute to lead or manage projects in aquaculture, sustainable rural economic development and technology outreach, green infrastructure investments, community and on-site waste-water engineering and acid mine drainage treatment. Mr. Hankins currently serves on the Board of the Natural Capital Investment Fund and the Jefferson County (WV) Public Service District and is personally active in local and statewide workgroups focused on the strategic importance of water, water quality standards and community water infrastructure planning. Mr. Hankins lives in Rockymarsh Run watershed and works in Shepherdstown, WV

TOPIC: " Water problems and solutions"

Covering primarily residential well water, and will also touch on the topic of municipal filtration for homes. Municipalities generally have qualified operators to handle any water issues that may come up. The homeowner on well water is left to wander the minefield of products available, without a reliable source to determine their true needs. Source protection (their well) is usally never thought about. Backflow prevention should be a definite consideration when installing any type of water filter or purification devise."

Russell Carolla graduated West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (BSME). After college he designed racing tires for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 10 years, where he worked with some of the most famous drivers in racing history. He attained the rank of senior design engineer and has 2 U.S. Patents, 1 Europe Patent and 1 trade secret credited to his name. He retired from Goodyear to join the family business Virginia Water Conditioning Corporation as Vice President. During his tenure there he has obtained licenses as a Master Plumber, Class 4 Waterworks Operator, and a class A Contractor. After 18 years with the company he became President. He is happily married to Cathy and they have 4 children. His hobbies include auto repair and restoration, and coaching Little League Baseball.

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