SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Patricia Cerro-Reehil, who has served as executive director of the Syracuse–based New York Water Environment Association, Inc. (NYWEA) since 2000, plans to retire in June. Donna Grudier, NYWEA’s president-elect, is chairing the search committee to identify a new executive director. Cerro-Reehil started working for NYWEA in 1987 and went on to become […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Patricia Cerro-Reehil, who has served as executive director of the Syracuse–based New York Water Environment Association, Inc. (NYWEA) since 2000, plans to retire in June.
Donna Grudier, NYWEA’s president-elect, is chairing the search committee to identify a new executive director.
Cerro-Reehil started working for NYWEA in 1987 and went on to become the first woman to hold the position of executive director for the organization.
“Since taking the helm, Patricia has helped the organization fulfill its mission and grow,” Grudier said in a release. “Her impact on the organization has been tremendous.”
Grudier went on to say that NYWEA’s impact on the water sector has broadened under the leadership of Cerro-Reehil.
“Among her many accomplishments, she was instrumental in the success of the organization’s scholarship program that reached its $1 million goal in 2000,” Grudier said. “During her tenure, over $700,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 240 students pursuing environmental degrees. That program is now expanding to provide scholarships to individuals interested in becoming water resource recovery operators.”
In addition, under Cerro-Reehil’s leadership, NYWEA took over the administration of the state’s operator-certification program. In 2016, the Alexandria, Virginia–based Water Environment Federation awarded NYWEA its Outstanding Member Association of the Year Award, according to Grudier.
“[Cerro-Reehil] was also instrumental in building a relationship between NYWEA and environmental-advocacy organizations. In 2020-21, she worked to pivot the organization during the pandemic from in-person meetings and conferences to remote [sessions] to fulfill NYWEA’s educational mission,” Grudier said.
The decision to retire comes as Cerro-Reehil marked her 35th anniversary with the association.
“NYWEA will celebrate its 95th anniversary in 2023, and after serving as Executive Director for 22 years, it’s time for a change. The decision was difficult, but the timing feels right,” Cerro-Reehil said. “NYWEA has more than 400 volunteers that are the lifeline to protecting public health and the environment and carry out the clean-water mission for the organization. It has been a great opportunity to work with these amazing individuals to help the organization grow and succeed.”
About NYWEA
Founded in 1929 as a nonprofit educational organization by professionals in the field of water quality, NYWEA has 2,500 members statewide. It hosts several technical conferences annually for environmental engineers, scientists, water-resource recovery operators, public officials, and others who work in water-quality management and water-resource recovery.
Headquartered in Syracuse, NYWEA has seven regional chapters, 15 college student chapters, and is a member association of the international Water Environment Federation.
