MWH Adds Strength In Texas With Key Additions To Municipal Water & Wastewater Services

Seasoned experts join the firm’s Houston, Dallas and San Antonio offices 

MWH Global, the premier solutions provider focused on water and natural resources, recently announced the hiring of David A. Irvine as Texas wastewater practice leader and Southeast Texas area manager. Based in Houston, Irvine will lead the Southeast Texas area water and wastewater operations for MWH. He brings 25 years of experience in the technical, management and development of the municipal water and wastewater projects.

“We are thrilled to have David join MWH, as he has served in virtually all roles in the municipal water and wastewater industry,” said Chris Young, Central Regional Manager for MWH. “Throughout his career, David has been responsible for over $2.5B of capital projects around the world, and his recognition as a business leader, practice builder and principal in charge of major engineering projects across the U.S. will bring significant value to clients.”

In his previous role, Irvine served as sector manager and was responsible for all aspects of business management including strategy development, profit and loss, business development, staffing, and safety. His major areas of technical expertise are the development of technologies for the treatment of municipal, industrial, and hazardous wastes, including the design of new wastewater systems and the retrofit of existing systems, specializing in making operational and control changes to existing systems to increase system capacity and performance. Irvine holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a master’s degree in biological engineering from Cornell University, and an M.B.A. from Purdue University.

MWH has also relocated two current members of its staff to further strengthen the company’s position in the Texas municipal water/wastewater market. Ron Cass has relocated to the MWH Dallas office to take on the role of treatment practice leader for the Central Region. Mary Portillo joins the MWH team in the San Antonio office as project technical leader and client service manager for the surrounding area. Cass’s experience during his 25 years with MWH has focused on the evaluation, design, and construction of municipal and industrial water treatment plants across the globe, including facilities in Australia and Trinidad and Tobago. The thirty-plus plants in which Cass has led the design include brackish reverse osmosis, seawater desalination, and surface water treatment plants, along with conventional active sludge wastewater plants and supporting facilities. His leadership in project delivery of water and wastewater projects in conventional, alternate delivery and unique methods adds to the MWH strengths in project development, design and construction management across the Texas region. Cass holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is a registered engineer in five states, and is a certified Project Management Professional.

Portillo will lead the Central Texas water and wastewater operations for MWH as she begins her ninth year with the firm, bringing over 15 years of water and wastewater treatment experience ranging from planning to facility startup. Portillo has experience in water and wastewater engineering evaluations, pilot studies, design, construction, start-up and project management and has worked on a variety of diverse projects across the U.S., and worldwide, including Peru, Australia and Canada.  Portillo has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Membrane Operators Association and has served in various roles in Water Environment Association local chapters and the AWWA Membrane Process Committee over the years.

About MWH
MWH Global is the premier solutions provider focused on water and natural resources for built infrastructure and the environment. Offering a full range of innovative, award-winning services from initial planning through construction and asset management, we partner with our clients in multiple industries. Our nearly 8,000 employees in 35 countries spanning six continents are dedicated to fulfilling our purpose of Building a Better World, which reflects our commitment to sustainable development. MWH is a private, employee-owned firm with a rich legacy beginning in 1820. For more information, visit www.mwhglobal.com.