Jeremy Pelczer, Rosemarie Ryan join Board

April 22, 2008

Water industry expertise and strategic brand-building strengthens WaterAid America's leadership.

New York, NY -- WaterAid America announced today the election of new board members Ms. Rosemarie Ryan and Mr. Jeremy Pelczer.  The election took place on March 18, 2008 at the annual meeting of the board. 

Mr. Pelczer joins WaterAid America's board after having been elected as Chair of WaterAid's Board in the United Kingdom in October 2007.  Mr. Pelczer has worked in the water industry since 1996, following a career in finance and accounting.  He became President of American Water in September 2003 and served as CEO & President of American Water from February 2004 until December 2005. He was the Chief Executive of Thames Water from November 2005 until its sale was completed in December 2006.

Since joining JWT in 2003 as President of its NY headquarters, Rosemarie Ryan's strategic acumen and critical thinking have helped launch, position, and reposition numerous leading brands.  Under her leadership, JWT NY has risen to the number one ranking agency in the JWT global network.  Prior to joining JWT, Rosemarie spent eight years as President of the award-winning agency, kirshenbaum bond + partners.  Ms. Ryan began her advertising career at BBDO London and Chiat Day. 
  
"WaterAid America is indeed fortunate to welcome two prominent industry leaders who add significant new capacity to our growing board," said Mr. Gregory Hodkinson, Chair of WaterAid America and the chairman of the Americas Region of Arup, the global engineering and consulting firm. 

"Jeremy's keen understanding of global water issues and experience in both the US and international contexts will add significant depth to our growing organization.  Rosemarie's success in launching and building corporate brands will undoubtedly help solidify our early successes into long-term achievement and impact.  Their contributions will help ensure that WaterAid America continues to make a significant contribution to the WaterAid global mission, ensuring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene education for impoverished communities in developing countries,"  added Mr. Hodkinson.

Media inquiries: please contact Jonathan Rich on 347-262-9115 or email him.

View biographies of all WaterAid America's Trustees.

About WaterAid:  WaterAid is the world's leading independent non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to working with people in the world's poorest countries to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. Founded in 1981, it operates in 17 countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific region and has helped more than 11 million people gain access to safe water through low-cost, sustainable projects that can be locally managed and maintained. With a goal of expanding operations to assist 1.3 million people to gain access to safe water and 1.5 million people to gain sanitation this fiscal year, it has earned a worldwide reputation for its effectiveness and leadership and garnered numerous national and international awards, including the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize.