Dean Amhaus

Dean Amhaus has served as the first President & CEO of The Water Council since March 2010. The Council was formed with the express purpose of growing the Milwaukee region into the world hub for water research, education and economic development. The only organization of its kind in the United States, The Water Council is successfully coalescing these attributes into a powerful force that is garnering international recognition.

The Council’s most significant achievement occurred in September 2013 with the opening of the Global Water Center, a one of a kind water technology research and business accelerator located in a 98,000 square feet /30,000 square meter seven-story refurbished Silver LEED warehouse in Milwaukee’s downtown. Within 18 months of opening the Center it was completely leased. One of the programs within the Center is the BREW Accelerator which assists water technology entrepreneurs develop their company and expand their commercialization opportunities.

Under Dean’s leadership the Council has also developed a national Center of Excellence for Freshwater Innovation & Small Business Development with a contract from the U.S. Small Business Administration and through support from JPMorgan Chase & Co. is growing the pool of investment dollars in water technology.

His diverse thirty-year background in multiple sectors encapsulates a wide-range of expertise in government relations, branding, fundraising, economic development and non-profit management in Washington, D.C. and Madison, Wisconsin.