WMWA HONORARY MENTOR MEMBERS

Western Mass Waterworks Association is proud to recognize these individuals for their dedication, voluntary service and outstanding contributions to the continued success of the Association and profession. These members have had distinguished and "seasoned" careers in the water sector and have earned a lifetime membership.

In addition, they have all agreed to be mentors to the membership. Please feel free to reach out to them with any industry questions or to solicit advice from them.

Joe Slattery, Past WMWA Board of Directors Member

Retired Water Superintendent for the Southampton Water Department in 2015 with over 55 years of experience. In 2008 Joe led the Southampton Water Dept to victory winning best-tasting water in American at the Great American Water Taste Test held through the National Rural Water Association. Joe dedicated many years serving on the WMWA Board of Directors and was involved with the Section 70 Assessment Committee with another Mentor Member, Tom Newton.

(413) 531-9725

John Sasur Jr., Founding Member of WMWA

Retired Water Superintendent and Assistant Fire Chief for the Three Rivers Fire District with over 40 years of experience in operations and management in treatment and distribution of a small water system. John dedicated 30+ years serving his community and the Association with his experitise in planning, unique operational problem solving and regulatory issues and filled many roles from Secretary to the Legislative Committee.

(413) 374-3413 | jsasur@hotmail.com

Mike McGrath, Past WMWA Board of Directors Member

An environmental engineer and contact person for the MassDEP Western Regional Office, specializing in Drinking Water & Municipal Services and SRF Construction Programs. Mike has been a committed member of WMWA since the 1990s and has served on the Board of Directors and been involved in regulatory committees throughout the years. Mike can also be found consulting on various Water & Sewer Projects.

(413) 695-8707 | mjmcg127@gmail.com

Michael Brown, Past WMWA Board of Directors Member

Retired from Turners Falls Water Dept. in 2022 after 22 years as the Water Superintendent, serving within the department for over 35 years in total. Mike has expertise knowledge with small ground water systems and has volunteered this time serving on the WMWA Board and its members since the 2000s.

(413) 522-8938 | mbrown205@icloud.com

Henry "Butch" Seidel, Past WMWA President

Retired from Holyoke Water Works after over 35 years in the field, during his multi-decade career with HWW he served as the Supervisor of the Reservoir Division, following his retirement as an employee he was appointed to the HWW Board of Commissioners, serving as its Treasurer. Butch spent many years serving our Association in a variety of roles, most memorably as the President for over five consecutive years.

(413) 695-1148 | butchseidel@yahoo.com

Tom Newton, Past WMWA President

Retired in 2016 after 40 years with Easthampton's DPW. Tom has expertise knowledge in drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment as well as community development block grants. In 2015 Tom lead the Easthampton Water Works team who was awarded the best-tasting water in America at the Great American Water Taste Test held by the National Rural Water Association. Tom served WMWA for many years in a number of roles from the President to the WMWA's representative on the Section 70 Assessment Committee.

(413) 231-2678 | tsnewton1@gmail.com

Richard "Dick" Kilhart, Past WMWA President

Retired in 2026 after 40 years in the water sector, he finished his career after 8 years with the Athol DPW as the Superintendent of Public Works. His career began in 1986 and focused heavily on water infrastructure, municipal utilities and community development projects, additionally highlighting 18 years as Water Superintendent with the Town of Orange and 11 years with MassRWA as a Water Systems Training & Technical Assistance Specialist. Throughout his career Dick has remained very involved with the Association since our beginning in 1987, serving on numerous committees throughout the years and as the President both in the early '00s and more recently from '21-'25. Shortly after his retirement he was recognized by the MassDEP as the Outstanding Drinking Water Operator for the Western Mass Region.

(978) 544-2687 | cousy84@gmail.com