EEI Announces Peter Wallers, PE, CFM Retirement and Promotes Three Partners - Morrison, Piotrowski, and Dennison to Vice President
Peter Wallers, P.E., CFM, who has been EEI’s Chairman since 2020 and previously held the title of President and CEO since 2006, announced his retirement effective May 20, 2023, from EEI’s Board of Directors and leadership team. He will continue to work part-time and will stay involved with the various organizations and committees that he currently sits on.
Pete’s 46-year career has been dedicated to improving the lives of residents within the communities he has had the opportunity to work for. He has knowledge of total water (potable water, wastewater, and stormwater), but also all other community infrastructure components. These are strengths that make Pete a well-rounded engineer that can see the big picture.
Anyone that knows Pete knows that his true passion is water and finding a sustainable source for all. He is heavily involved in regional water supply planning for Northeastern Illinois and has a knack for building regional consensus.
Pete has received several awards over his career, most notably in 2021 he received the Illinois Section American Society of Civil Engineers Civil Engineer of the Year award, the Illinois Section American Water Works Association (ISAWWA) Water Professional of the Year Award, and most recently the 2023 Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Visionary Award.
Pete’s dedication to EEI, the engineering profession, his staff, and his community exceed expectations. In addition to numerous leadership roles in technical associations, Pete is a Trustee on the Oswego Library Board, a member of the Kane County Judicial and Public Safety Planning and Technology Commission, Charter Member of the Montgomery Rotary Club, President of the Montgomery Foundation, member of the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry Advisory Board and volunteer for the annual Montgomery Fest, Sugar Grove Corn Boil and Montgomery River Run.
According to Brad Sanderson, Chief Operating Office / President, “Pete has the ability to turn vision into reality. He has continued the solid foundation that was first established by Jim Michels and raised the bar for EEI, our staff, and our leadership. We are committed to upholding the core values and principles that have guided Pete throughout his career and will carry them forward for many years to come. I personally can’t express my gratitude to Pete enough for what he has taught me over the years and for encouraging me to advance in my career. Despite the conclusion of more than four decades with his retirement, his contributions will not be forgotten.”
EEI is excited to announce the promotions of Julie Morrison, PE, Michele Piotrowski, PE, LEED AP, and Stephen Dennison, PE to the position of Vice President. Since 2020, all three individuals have held the position of Senior Project Manager / Principal.
Morrison has been with EEI for 23 years and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Knox College. Julie is heavily involved in the American Public Works Association Fox Valley Branch and heads up the Association’s Awards Committee. She also is a member of the Illinois Section American Water Works Association (ISAWWA) Distribution Committee and ISAWWA Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She manages one of the company’s Municipal Groups, focusing on municipal roadway, water and wastewater underground utility projects, as well as the company’s CAD Group.
Piotrowski has been with EEI for 21 years and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Catholic University of America and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Michele is currently the ISAWWA Trustee for District 2B and is the Chair of the Water Efficiency Committee, is a Water Loss Trainer, and is involved in the Public Outreach Committee. She manages the company’s other Municipal Group, focusing on municipal water and wastewater system projects, including water towers (new and rehabilitated), water main (new and replacement), pump stations, pressure-reducing valve stations, lift stations, sewers, non-revenue water reduction and rate studies.
Dennison has been with EEI for 19 years and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He manages the company’s Environmental Group, focusing on all aspects of drinking water and wastewater systems. He is active in the Illinois Section of American Water Works Association (ISAWWA), where he is Vice-Chair of the ISAWWA Education Committee.
Strong leadership is essential and will remain unchanged for the rest of EEI’s team – Bradley Sanderson, PE is the Chief Operating Officer / President, Jeffrey Freeman, PE, CFM, LEED AP, is the Chief Executive Officer, and Denise Migliorini, is the Chief Financial Officer / Vice President. All six of EEI’s Principals will continue to uphold and promote the firm’s core values moving forward. According to retiring Chairman Wallers, “It has been an honor to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team of individuals. I am confident that EEI is in good hands and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together throughout my 46-year tenure.”