Robert Smith, of Grand Springs Distribution in Alton has been elected to serve as chairman of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) Board of Directors for 2019-2020.

IBWA members elected the association’s leadership during the 2019 Annual Business Conference held in Anaheim, California, from Nov. 18-21.

Smith is a member of IBWA’s executive committee and board of directors. He previously served as vice chairman.

Grand Springs bottles water at the source in a controlled environment within its Alton facility for assurance of quality and purity.

The plant is located on 495 acres with numerous pristine spring sources located within the property in a protected environment. These springs have been protected for the purpose of producing premium water products.

The IBWA members approved the following slate of officers for 2019-2020:

• Robert Smith – chairman

• Tara Carraro (Nestlé Waters North America) – vice chairwoman

• Brian Hess (Niagara Bottling) – treasurer

• Lynn Wachtmann (Maumee Valley Bottlers, Inc.) – Immediate Past Chairman

The following IBWA members were elected or re-elected to the board of directors for a three-year term, expiring in 2022:

• Shayron Barnes-Selby (DS Services of America, Inc.)

• Philippe Caradec (Danone Waters of America)

• Tara Carraro (Nestlé Waters North America)

• Brian Hess (Niagara Bottling)

• Doug Hidding (Blackhawk Molding)

• Scott Hoover (Roaring Spring Water)

• Robert Smith (Grand Springs Distribution)

• Lynn Wachtmann (Maumee Valley Bottlers, Inc.)

Other IBWA members who currently serve on the Board of Directors:

• Joe Bell (Aqua Filter Fresh, Inc.)

• Andrew Eaton (Eurofins Eaton Analytical, LLC)

• Dan Kelly (Polymer Solutions International, Inc.)

• Kari Mondt (Allied Purchasing Company)

• Greg Nemec (Premium Waters, Inc.)

• Dennis Rivard (Crystal Mountain Products, Inc.)

• Lou Vittorio (EarthRes Group, Inc.)

• Bill Young (Absopure Water Company, Inc.)

From The Gazette Virginian