Board of Directors

President

Patricia Lindsay-Harvey

Willingboro Municipal Utilties Authority

 

Patricia Lindsay-Harvey is a dedicated public servant and environmental advocate or the last 47years. In 2020 she was appointed as a Commissioner to the Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority. She has served as Board Chair in 2023 and 2024. As the President of the Black Water Professionals Alliance, Patricia leads efforts to promote diversity and excellence within the water industry. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, she also chairs the Willingboro Environmental Commission, spearheading initiatives to promote sustainable practices within the community. In 2022, Patricia expanded her influence by becoming an active member of the Association of Environmental Authority's PFAS Committee, focusing on critical issues related to water safety and environmental health and serves on a number of Jersey Water Works committees including the Steering Committee. 

Vice President

Nicole Brown

GFT

 

Nicole Brown is a passionate advocate for sustainability with over 25 years of experience in water and wastewater treatment. As a seasoned design engineer and project manager, she has successfully led initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of municipal systems. She serves on multiple boards in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Chairing the Board of Directors for the NJ Chapter of AWWA from 2026-2027. As the Water Growth Lead for GFT, Nicole leads water and wastewater projects with a strategic, systems-level mindset. She never forgets that infrastructure is not just about pipes and pumps, it’s about people, ecosystems, and long-term resilience. 

Treasurer

Timothy Alston

Gary Sanitary District

 

Timothy D. Alston, is an environmental engineer, utility leader, and Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Black Water Professionals Alliance, Inc., where he works to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the water industry. He serves as Plant Superintendent of Operations and Maintenance at the Gary Sanitary District in Gary, Indiana, overseeing wastewater treatment operations, regulatory compliance, and system performance to protect public health and regional water resources. With over a decade of experience spanning environmental engineering, project management, and community engagement—including prior work on EPA Superfund and environmental remediation projects—Timothy is committed to driving operational excellence and sustainable infrastructure. He is also a Board Director for the Alliance for the Great Lakes and an active contributor to several professional organizations, notably the Chicago Professionals Chapter of NSBE. A passionate mentor, his work has helped students secure millions in scholarships and achieve college success. Timothy holds a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Claflin University.

Secretary

LaShone Bedford

Great Lakes Water Authority

 

LaShone Bedford is the Strategic Planning and Development Director in the Water Operating Services group for the Great Lakes Water Authority. A Detroit native, she has built her career in the water sector with a focus on strategic leadership, operational excellence, and creating opportunities for others to grow within the industry.  She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Cum Laude) from Walsh College, with a concentration in Human Resources, and a Master of Science in Finance. LaShone is also a licensed F-3 Water Operator, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.  LaShone has been an active leader in the water industry, particularly through her involvement with the Michigan Section of AWWA. She has served as Vice-Chair of the Communications Council and the Education and Training Committee, and currently serves as a Board Trustee. She is also a strong advocate for engagement and mentorship, helping to connect professionals to opportunities within the field.  Passionate about representation and inclusion, LaShone served as Chair of the Women on Water (W.O.W.) network from 2019 to 2024, where she helped expand a space for connection, support, and advancement. As a Black woman in the water sector, she is committed to uplifting and empowering Black water professionals and ensuring that the industry reflects the communities it serves. She is driven by the belief that access to safe, reliable water is not only essential—but that those who protect it should be just as diverse and resilient as the communities depending on it.

Board Member

Tosin Adetutu

Axiom Black LLC

 

As the President of Axiom Black and a Supervising Engineer for the City of Newark's Water and Sewer Utilities, Tosin brings a multifaceted approach to solving complex infrastructure and technological challenges. With a foundation in mechanical engineering and a unique background spanning aerospace engineering, environmental and utility systems, he exemplifies innovative leadership that bridges private consulting and public sector engineering. His expertise in technology innovation, digital transformation and ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions across diverse sectors, combined with a hands-on role in municipal utility infrastructure ensures a deep understanding of real-world operational challenges. Holding NJDEP W3, C2, and T2 operator licenses, Tosin combines technical depth with strategic vision, driving modernization and sustainability across both private and public domains.

Board Member

Mila K. Marshall Ph.D

Sierra Club IL Chapter

 

Mila holds a PhD in ecology and works to mobilize and energize diverse networks across Illinois around clean water issues related to wastewater, agriculture and industry. She advocates for novel partnerships that protect the quality of streams, lakes, rivers, and Illinois tributaries for all. Furthermore she addresses the legacies of water infrastructure disinvestment by building bridges towards solutions through connecting and educating the scientific and legislative communities at the city, county and state levels. She serves as the Clean Water Advocate for the Illinois Sierra Club Chapter, is the CEO of the Chicago Area Waterways Heritage Committee, President of the Black Women Boaters Club - Chicago Chapter and editor at Chicago News Weekly. Finally Dr. Marshall serves the State of Illinois as a member of the Groundwater Advisory Board and Natural Resources Advisory Council.

Board Member

Garrett Skinner

GHD

 

Garrett Skinner is the Metro Atlanta Market Leader for GHD, where he provides strategic leadership across water, transportation, and infrastructure markets with a focus on improving quality of life and long‑term community outcomes. His work centers on partnering with public agencies, utilities, and community stakeholders to deliver programs that advance resilience, equity, and sustainable access to critical infrastructure. Garrett has previously served in officer and leadership roles with the Georgia Association of Floodplain Management, the Maryland Association of Flood and Stormwater Management, and the National Society of Black Engineers, reflecting his strong commitment to inclusive leadership, professional service, and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities. He brings to board service a collaborative, mission‑driven governance perspective rooted in equity, accountability, and community impact.

The BWPA Board periodically puts out a call for new board members.  No open calls are active at this time.  If you are interested in volunteering for a BWPA committee or serving on the board in the future, please click on the email icon for one of the current board members listed above.