Leadership Change Made at Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch has named Joe Lauria Vice President and Director of Planning and Growth for the Americas in the company’s water business. In this new role, Lauria will help clients identify and implement sustainable solutions to evolving water challenges. Based in Irvine, California, his primary focus will be on fast-growth U.S. markets in California, Florida and Texas.
Lauria’s appointment reflects growing demand for system resilience and sustainable water supplies in rapidly growing regions impacted by shifting demographics and climate conditions.
“Joe adds technical, engineering and financial expertise, particularly in areas of water supply, water and wastewater treatment, and conveyance which are vital for supporting growing population centers,” said Mike Orth, Executive Managing Director, Americas, for Black & Veatch’s water business. “His knowledge gained from projects coast to coast, coupled with leadership on large-scale projects, adds impactful value to our service capabilities.”
Lauria is a board-certified environmental engineer and licensed professional engineer with more than 30 years of business development and project management experience, and has led capital projects totaling more than $1.5 billion. He served as balance-of-plant engineering project director for the Carlsbad Seawater Desalination Project in southern California, the largest drinking water desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere.
Lauria earned his master’s degree in environmental engineering and bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College in New York.
He is an active member of the Water Environment Federation, California Water Environment Association and Water Design-Build Council, and has also served as an executive board member for the Water Design-Build Council and the California Association of Sanitation Agencies.
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