Water industry veteran Richard J (Dick) Heckmann has joined the board of directors of PolyCera Membranes, the Los Angeles-based Water Planet company that develops and markets next-generation membrane technology for industrial wastewater treatment and process separation.
Heckmann founded USFilter in 1990, and over the next nine years grew the company internally and through acquisitions into a water industry giant with annual revenues of US$5 billion. In 1999, USFilter was acquired for US$8.2 billion by Vivendi. Heckmann was the chairman of Vivendi Water until 2001 and a member of the supervisory board at Vivendi Environnement SA (later known as Veolia Environnement SA) from 2000–2003. Heckmann also served as executive chairman of the board of Nuverra Environmental Solutions Inc (formerly known as Heckmann Corp) from 2012–2014 and was the company’s chairman and CEO from 2007–2012.
He has also been executive chairman of K2 Inc and was chairman of the board from 2000–2007. He is a partner in the ownership of the Phoenix Suns NBA basketball team and currently serves as a director of AECOM Technical Services Inc.
“We are honoured that Dick Heckmann, who is regarded by many as a legend in the water industry, has agreed to join PolyCera Membranes’ board of directors. His vast experience in leveraging differentiated technology into the market and perspective in growing companies will be invaluable support to my team in growing PolyCera into a global leader in membrane filtration and separation technology and products,” said Simon Marshall, CEO and president of PolyCera Membranes.
Eric Hoek, PolyCera founder and chairman, added: “Having Dick Heckmann serve on the PolyCera board is a major development for the company. His strategic support, unparalleled knowledge and broad perspectives will be tremendous assets as PolyCera continues its ascent to industry leadership.”
“If anyone has any doubts about the desperate need for new water technologies, they need only look at the growing adoption around the world of water reuse and the search for other advanced solutions to deal with increasing water stress,” said Heckmann. “We won’t work our way into the next century riding the same water treatment capabilities. Companies like PolyCera will be the key to opening new frontiers and I’m excited to be aboard,” he added.
