Movers and shakers

George Crombie

George Crombie, a senior faculty member for Public Works Administration at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., has been elected president of the Kansas City, Mo.-based American Public Works Association. Elected by APWA’s 29,500 members, Crombie will lead the organization as president and chair of the 17-member Board of Directors. For the coming year, APWA’s key issues include building livable communities for the future, professional development and education services for all members, sustainability, international relations, emergency management and leadership. Crombie is also president of Crombie Consulting. He previously served as the secretary of natural resources for Vermont, overseeing more than 600 employees and an $80 million budget. He also served as undersecretary of environmental affairs for Massachusetts. Crombie has been an active member of APWA since joining in 1976, and he is a past president of the New England Chapter.

Oliver Lawal

Oliver Lawal, technical director for Erlanger, Ky.-based UV disinfection company Aquionics’ parent company, Amersham, England-based Halma Plc., has been named president of the company. Lawal joined Aquionics in 2009. Having worked for companies in the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Germany, Lawal has more than 12 years of global experience with UV products and applications. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Engineering Systems from Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester, England.

David Maurstad

David Maurstad, vice president and national business manager for emergency management for Tampa, Fla.-based engineering firm PBS&J, has been named national director of water policy and planning. In his new role, Maurstad will support the PBS&J/STARR team, working on the FEMA Risk MAP contract. He will continue to serve as PBS&J’s client service manager for FEMA, lead the growth of the Cooperative Technical Partner flood mapping business, and coordinate PBS&J’s efforts to provide FEMA-type services internationally. Maurstad joined PBS&J in October 2008 as vice president and national business manager for the emergency management business sector. He will continue to support the emergency management division and will help grow and develop the company’s dams and levees practice. He also will participate in professional organizations associated with flood mapping and levees.

Before joining PBS&J, Maurstad was the assistant administrator and federal insurance administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Mitigation Directorate and managed the National Flood Insurance Program. A native Nebraskan, Maurstad served as mayor of his hometown, state senator and lieutenant governor.

Steve Benedettini

Steve Benedettini, financial manager for Rochester Hills, Mich.-based civil engineering firm Spalding DeDecker Assoc., has been named president of the company. In his new role, he will be responsible for administrative operations and daily management of the corporation. Benedettini has a master’s degree in finance from Troy, Mich.-based Walsh College and bachelor’s degrees in finance and marketing from Rochester, Mich.-based Oakland University. He is an active member of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Customer Advisory Council and of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan Finance Committee. Since joining SDA in 1999, Benedettini, in his role as the company’s financial manager, has overseen mergers and acquisitions, treasury management, strategic planning, Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) / 401(k) trustee, and financial analysis and reporting.