New Chairman of the Board for Global Water Treatment Provider

Aquarion Group (Aquarion AG, Switzerland), a global water treatment solutions provider, announces that James W. Hotchkies has been elected Chairman of its Board of Directors.

“The election of James Hotchkies as Chairman of the Board is an important and timely development for Aquarion Group. The recent acquisition of Hager + Elsässer has added important experience, technologies and geographic reach to our business while creating synergies with our other companies. We look forward to working closely with James, whose expertise in business strategy and knowledge of advanced water treatment technologies will further strengthen our ability to grow strategically and profitably in key markets,” said Karl Michael Millauer, Chief Executive Officer of Aquarion Group.

"I am excited to be part of the Aquarion team,” said Mr. Hotchkies. “With the excellent performance of Aquarion Group over the past year and the significant addition of the Hager + Elsässer unit, the Aquarion Group has evolved into a major, global player in the water and wastewater industry. Leveraging the excellent track record of the individual business units, this dynamic group now offers unparalleled solutions capability across its target markets, including oil & gas, metals & mining, and power.  I look forward to working with Karl Michael and his excellent management team, as the group continues to deliver high-value solutions to our increasing base of global clients,” he added.

Based in Switzerland, Mr. Hotchkies is Managing Director of JWH Consulting GmbH, a firm that provides advisory support for a range of global clients. With more than 25 years experience in the water industry, he is recognized for his expertise in advanced technologies for water treatment, wastewater reuse, water sustainability, biosolids management and resource recovery, as well as developing strategic relationships and partnerships across the water sector.

He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Hydroxsys International Limited, Managing Director of Ostara Europe GmbH and Head of International Business Development for the Commercial Water Division of LG Electronics. He is also a member of the Advisory Boards of the Pictet Water Fund, Emefcy Ltd., ClearCove Systems, Inc. and Advanced Mem-Tech Ltd.

Prior to his current activities, Mr. Hotchkies held a number of senior management positions in the water, environmental technology and steel sectors including Vice President – TMEu and Global Business Development Advisor, UF and MBR Technologies, Toray Industries, Inc. and Toray Membrane Europe AG; Senior Vice President – ZENON Membrane Solutions EMEA, GE Water & Process Technologies; Senior Vice President – EMEA, Zenon Environmental Inc.; President, PYXIS Systems Group; and Manager of Market Development Engineering, The Algoma Steel Corporation. He was also Manager of the Sheridan Environmental Technology Institute and Professor of Applied Arts & Technology at Sheridan College.

Mr. Hotchkies holds B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.