National Association of Water Companies Announces Keynote Speakers for 2012 NAWC Water Summit

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) today announced that renowned journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, co-authors of The New York Times bestseller and Emmy Award-winning Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, Palin and McCain, and the Race of a Lifetime, will deliver the opening keynote address at the 2012 NAWC Water Summit on Monday, October 8 at 8:45 a.m. EDT. After the authors discuss politics, the role of infrastructure investment in economic growth, and the impact of the elections on topics important to the water industry, they will engage in a Q&A with Summit participants.

The 2012 NAWC Water Summit – to be held October 7 – 10 in Miami, Florida – will provide a dynamic forum for water industry professionals to exchange ideas, learn from one another and share solutions that sustain businesses and communities. The theme of the 2012 NAWC Water Summit – Public Service & Private Enterprise: Bold Discussions. Real Solutions. – will focus on public-private collaboration in the water industry, the state of municipal finances and its impact on the water industry, capital markets, the water-energy nexus and more.

"Today, one in four Americans receives water service from a regulated private water utility or a municipal utility operating in a public-private partnership, and NAWC's member companies serve communities of all sizes and in all areas of the country," said Michael Deane, executive director of NAWC. "We are honored to bring our members together with distinguished thought leaders in the fields of politics, business, regulation and economics for a well-rounded discussion about the future of public/private cooperation in the water industry."

Additional speakers include:

• Charles V. Firlotte, President and CEO, Aquarion Company
• Elisa M. Speranza, President, CH2M HILL Water Services Group
• Lisa Sparrow, President and CEO, Utilities, Inc.
• Dennis W. Doll, Chairman, President and CEO, Middlesex Water Company
• Ned Breslin, CEO, Water For People
• Richard B. Norment, Executive Director, National Council of Public-Private Partnerships

Brief biographies of the keynote speakers appear below:

• Mark Halperin is editor at large and regular contributor to the print publication and website for TIME. He is also senior political analyst for MSNBC, a contributor for Morning Joe and a blogger for The Page.
• John Heilemann, national affairs editor for New York Magazine, covers national politics, business, economics and technology. He also writes the Power Grid column and is a political analyst for MSNBC.

About the NAWC Water Summit
The NAWC Water Summit is hosted by the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) – the voice of the private water industry and the organization exclusively representing this group of quality water service providers, innovation drivers, creative financiers and responsible partners.

Interested members of the media and policy officials can pre-register for the Summit by visiting nawc.org. Stay up-to-date with Twitter updates by searching #watersummit12, or follow NAWC on Twitter and Facebook.

Lee Alman, Edelman
212-704-4577
[email protected] 

Elliot Steinbaum, Edelman
212-704-8296
[email protected] 

SOURCE National Association of Water Companies (NAWC)