Conference Chairperson

Professor Mike Muller

Mike Muller is a Commissioner in South Africa’s first National Planning Commission and a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Wits School of Governance. He currently advises a range of South African and international organisations on water and development issues.

From 1997 to 2005, he was Director-General of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, where he guided policy and regulatory reform and established a national programme which gave 16 million people access to safe water. During his 40-year career, Mike has managed infrastructure and policy programmes for the DBSA (Development Bank of SA), a development bank, helped reorganise local government and co-founded a successful water and sanitation NGO, the Mvula Trust, during South Africa’s transition to democracy.

He also ran a city water company for the Government of Mozambique and ran a national sanitation programme there, for which he won a WHO Forum prize for “research which resulted in action”. A registered Professional Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the SA Academy of Engineering and the Water Institute of Southern Africa, his career started as a trainee engineer in the London Borough of Lambeth including a six month stint in the drains division. So, at the WPC, he will be returning to his roots.

 

Keynote Speakers

Shayne La Combre

Shayne La Combre is the Chief Executive Officer of the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC). PICAC is a unique facility offering world class training – in many cases with facilities without equal anywhere else in the world. Shayne was appointed CEO in December 2012 and a Board Member since February 2011, he has been instrumental in the continuous expansion of the training centre. In 2011 Shayne was elected to the Board of the World Plumbing Council (WPC) and is the Deputy Chair for the 2013 – 2016 term. The WPC is committed to improving the standards of plumbing around the world to give better access to safe drinking water and sanitation to all. Prior to this Shayne was Director of Plumbing at Victoria’s plumbing industry regulator, the Plumbing Industry Commission (now the Victorian Building Authority), a role he held for 7 years.

Shayne has formerly held the positions of:

• Chair of the National Plumbing Regulators Forum (NPRF). The NPRF is the peak committee of technical and occupational plumbing regulators in Australia and New Zealand.
• Chair of the Licensing and Education Advisory Committee of the NPRF. He is currently a Member of the Commonwealth Government, Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards Advisory Group.

A second-generation plumber, Shayne has extensive plumbing industry experience, having worked for the Gas and Fuel Corporation for 19 years and several privatised gas corporations. His career experience also includes roles with AGL, Standards Australia and Energy Safe Victoria. Shayne holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy, in addition to degrees in Business and Law. He has been admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and Australian Capital Territory.

 

Dr. Doulaye Kone

The first keynote address will be given by Dr. Doulaye Kone of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with the topic: “the human right to water and sanitation, the impact on energy and health, within the framework of the UN resolutions, post 2015, and the roll of regulations for sustainable plumbing as well as the role of plumbing design and installation.” 

Dr. Koné is currently working as Senior Program Officer, on the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Program (Global Development) at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Koné has more than 15 years’ experience as water and sanitation specialist in developing countries (excreta and wastewater management). Prior to AfWA, he worked as Senior Programme Officer and Group leader coordinating an international research and development portfolio at Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (Sandec). Dr. Koné has authored several technical, scientific and policy publications. He has mentored several PhD and MSc students in Africa, Asia and Europe. 

Dave Viola

The third keynote address will be given by Dave Viola with the topic of: “the effect of global warming on water supply, water recycling and alternative methods for sustainable plumbing, including the impact on the nature of regulations and standard going forward.” Viola is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President of Business Strategy at International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials ( IAPMO.)

His primary responsibilities involve running IAPMO’s Chicago regional office, which includes overseeing:

• The development of IAPMO publications and customized domestic and international codes;
• Delivery of IAPMO’s training, education, and personnel certification programmes;
• Sustainability initiatives, including the development of the Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, and;
• ASSE International.

Prior to joining IAPMO, he served as the technical director for the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute for nine years, where he oversaw all code and standard development, product certification and water efficiency activities.  Before coming to PMI, Viola was the staff secretary for the International Plumbing Code from 1994 until 1998 while working for BOCA International and the International Code Council. Dave also served as the staff secretary for the BOCA National Plumbing Code from 1991 until 1994.

Sustainable plumbing is not only about products and technology but ensuring the very future of plumbing as a trade of professional people who think smart plumbing and are willing to adapt to the new technology that will be smart plumbing.

WPC 2016 emphasises the post-2015 UN goals which we will discuss next issue and through these regular updates will show plumbing designers and installers that our keynote speakers will be setting a new and exciting course for plumbing, whilst not forgetting the basic of the trade and professionalism.

http://www.wpc2016.co.za/index.php/conference-details/speakers