Kevin Shafer

Kevin Shafer serves as Executive Director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD). MMSD is a regional government agency that provides water reclamation and flood management services for more than 1.1 million customers in 29 communities in the Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin Area. The District serves 423 square miles that cover all or segments of six watersheds. Established by state law, the District is governed by 11 commissioners with taxing authority. Since assuming this role, Kevin has transformed the MMSD into one of the leading wastewater utilities in the country by integrating green infrastructure with traditional infrastructure. Kevin’s 2035 Vision has propelled MMSD forward with climate change adaptation through an aggressive program to convert to renewable fuels, install green infrastructure, and preserve floodplains. Kevin’s leadership has brought MMSD recognition as the recipient of almost every major award in the industry, including the 2012 U.S. Water Prize. He currently serves on the boards of The Water Council, The Nature Conservancy-Wisconsin, and US Water Alliance. Kevin served as past president of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and The Water Environment Research Foundation, past co-chair of The Water Research Foundation, past Board member of the Great Lakes Protection Fund, Mequon Nature Preserve, River Revitalization Foundation, and Discovery World, and a past member of the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee. Kevin holds a master’s degree in civil engineering and water resources from the University of Texas and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois.