SPEAKERS

Michael F. Bergeron, PhD, FACSM

Michael F. Bergeron, PhD, is a clinical and scientific advisor on sport sciences, medicine, and performance health for the WTA Women’s Tennis Association. He is also a visiting scholar in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Hartford. Dr. Bergeron is internationally recognized for his research and leadership in exercise-heat stress and physiological strain, hydration challenges in sport, youth athletic health, and sport concussion. He is a member of the Academic Advisory Board for the International Olympic Committee post-graduate Diploma Program in Sports Medicine. He also serves as an editorial board member for multiple sport and health journals. 

Glen Davis

Glen Davis has 40 years of beverage experience in juice, dairy, beer, and bottled water plants. He has been involved in IBWA for more than 29 years, chairing multiple committees and sub-committees and is currently co-chair of IBWA’s Technical and Education Committees. Glen holds degrees in biology, chemistry, and archeology. He also has specialized training in HPLC, SPC, thermal processing, product development, and packaging.

Joe Doss

Joe Doss has served as president and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) since 1999. He has extensive experience in association management, food and drug issues, government affairs, public relations, and related legal matters. Joe has a BA in government from The College of William and Mary and a JD from George Mason University School of Law. Joe is a member of the Bar in Virginia and the District of Columbia. He is a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute and the American Bar Association.

Majid Entezarian

Majid Entezarian holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from McGill University. He has over 25 years of industry and academic experience. Currently, he is senior technical specialist with the Separation and Purification Science Division (SPSD) of 3M. His focus is on filtration and purification and covers high purity water applications for industrial/food and beverage applications. Majid has worked with several bottled water suppliers to optimize their filtration processes and address their quality assurances for bacteria and bio-burden control.

Steven Feltman

Steve Feltman is a food safety and quality auditor specializing in beverages and food packaging with decades of experience in the bottled water industry. Steve was an active member of IBWA for 28 years and a Certified Plant Operator. Steve is HACCP certified and was a registered lead auditor with the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) for 11 years and a subcontractor to Eagle Food Registrations. As an Eagle food safety auditor, Steve has been conducting IBWA audits since 2015.

Gary A. Hemphill

Gary A. Hemphill, the managing director of research at Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC), has more than 25 years of experience in the beverage industry. He directs BMC’s extensive line of information products and services, including comprehensive beverage databases, market reports, directories, tracking services, and customized information consulting projects. Gary holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio State University.

Henry R. Hidell, III

Bob Hidell is the founder of Hidell International. He has provided consulting services to the beverage,  drinking water, food, and nutrition industries since 1972. His professional expertise spans the spectrum of business, technical, and educational services with specific expertise in the formulation of business strategies, mergers and acquisitions, and turnkey development of beverage bottling facilities. Bob is recognized as an expert in international economic and business development.

Bob Hirst

Bob Hirst has almost 50 years of experience in water in a broad array of scenarios, including surface water, ground water, drinking water, and wastewater. He has worked for both regulatory agencies and private industry companies. Bob worked for IBWA for more than 23 years and retired in March 2022. He continues to work with IBWA, now as a consultant for Sonoran Drinking Water Advisors LLC, which is based in Arizona.

Al Lear

Al Lear is IBWA’s vice president of science and research. In his role, Al serves as a staff liaison with the IBWA Technical Committee, Environmental Sustainability Committee, Drinking Water Research Foundation, and related subcommittees and task forces. His 30+ years of beverage and bottled water industry experience include quality assurance, process control, packaging, laboratory certification and analysis, water source development, evaluation and permitting, and plant startups.

Cory Martin

Cory Martin is IBWA’s vice president of government relations, joining the industry in February 2017. At IBWA, Cory oversees all lobbying and political engagement activities for the industry. Cory is a graduate of the George Washington University School of Political Management, receiving a master’s in legislative affairs; he received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University.

Rae Mindock

Rae Mindock is the program manager for Responsible Water Programs at SCS Global Services. She has been actively involved with the water stewardship programs, including the AWS Standard, since its inception. Rae has conducted all phases of stewardship activities from implementation to certification management. An AWS Credentialed Professional Specialist, Rae also has a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

James “JP” Toner

With over 30 years of experience in the public affairs arena, James P. (J.P.) Toner, Jr. is currently IBWA’s director of government relations, where he handles state and local government relations and lobbying and management of the IBWA PAC. In that role, J.P. testifies on legislation, authors comments, works with state and local government organizations, and monitors state and local legislative and regulatory activity across the United States on behalf of the Association and its members. Prior to joining IBWA, J.P. was manager of external affairs at Edison Electric Institute, worked as director of grassroots consulting for Aristotle, and manager of political involvement programs at the Public Affairs Council.

Rick Zimmer

Rick Zimmer is a senior manager at Eurofins Eaton Analytical, LLC, the largest water and beverage testing laboratory in the United States. Rick holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and has over 25 years of experience working in the water and beverage industry as a project manager, account manager, customer service manager, regulatory specialist, and sales director. Rick has presented at more than 50 locations and venues (in person and virtual) on water related topics to both industry and the public, as well as authored publications in several industry journals.