Paul Schuler begins term as Water Environment Federation president

Carollo Engineers Senior Vice President and Strategic Advisor Paul J. Schuler has begun a one-year term as president of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) following WEFTEC 2026. Schuler succeeds outgoing president Keith Hobson and brings more than 35 years of water-sector experience to the role. His involvement with WEF spans three decades and has included serving as vice president and president-elect on the organisation’s Board of Trustees.

Three decades of involvement with WEF

WEF is a not-for-profit organisation representing more than 31,000 individual members and 77 affiliated Member Associations. Its work focuses on professional development, technical knowledge and collaboration across the water sector. Schuler has spent around 30 years involved with the federation. In addition to his WEF leadership positions, he previously served as president of the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association and is an elected commissioner of the West Slope Water District in Portland, Oregon.

“It has been an honor to serve as WEF president, and I am excited to see Paul take on this important leadership role,” said Keith Hobson, outgoing WEF president. “Paul’s dedication to the water profession and his collaborative approach to leadership have earned the respect of colleagues and peers throughout the industry. His selection as WEF president reflects a career spent helping utilities address some of their most important challenges.”

Schuler brings 35 years of water industry experience

Schuler began his career at Carollo as a project engineer before moving into senior executive positions with water technology and infrastructure organisations. His work has covered areas including water treatment, resource recovery, business strategy and industry development. A licensed professional engineer, Schuler returned to Carollo in 2024 as Senior Vice President and Strategic Advisor. In his WEF role, Schuler is expected to continue the organisation’s work around the One Water approach and its Circular Water Economy framework, alongside its wider focus on technical knowledge and collaboration across the global water community.

“I am honored to serve as president of WEF and to work alongside the many dedicated professionals who contribute their time, expertise, and passion to the organization,” said Schuler. “The water sector continues to face both significant challenges and tremendous opportunities for innovation. I look forward to helping advance WEF’s mission and supporting the professionals who are working every day to protect public health and the environment.”

Leadership transition follows WEFTEC 2026

Schuler formally begins his one-year presidency following WEFTEC 2026, WEF’s annual technical exhibition and conference for the water sector. His term will include work with WEF members, Member Associations and other water-sector organisations as the federation develops its programmes around water quality, resource recovery and the circular water economy. Further information about WEF and its work is available from the Water Environment Federation.