Dr. Rion Merlo
Hazen and Sawyer has announced the appointment of CWEA member Dr. Rion Merlo, Senior Associate, as the firm’s new West Region Wastewater Practice Leader.
Dr. Merlo has 25 years’ experience in the planning, pilot testing, and design of wastewater and water reuse projects, successfully delivering projects for key clients throughout California, including the City of Los Angeles, City of San Diego, Orange County Sanitation District, City of San Jose, and Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District. Throughout the region, Dr. Merlo is known for leading development of sensible technical solutions and providing exceptional client service.
“Rion’s technical and business leadership, wastewater treatment know-how, and his true passion for turning wastewater facilities into resource recovery facilities make him a tremendous resource for agencies throughout the West and the country,” said Kevin Alexander, Hazen and Sawyer’s Vice President and West Region Manager. “We are pleased to have him driving our efforts in wastewater here in the West.”
“I am excited to join the Hazen and Sawyer team and to collaborate with Hazen’s experts nationwide. It feels great to be a part of a firm with such a long and successful history and to apply my experience and expertise to further advance resource recovery efforts in a water scarce region like the West,” said Dr. Merlo. “I look forward to leveraging the Firm’s extensive resources to solve some of the most challenging wastewater treatment issues facing our clients.”
Dr. Merlo will be based out of the Firm’s San Francisco, CA office. He holds a BS degree in Microbiology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a licensed civil engineer in California, a project management professional (PMP) and a member of Water Environment Federation and California Water Environment Association.
Hampik Dekermenjian
Hazen and Sawyer is proud to announce the addition of Hampik Dekermenjian PE to assume leadership of client services for Hazen’s West Region. He will also take on the leadership and management of Hazen’s Los Angeles office.
Mr. Dekermenjian has more than 29 years of water sector experience in California and across the United States. Known for client-focused delivery of highly technical and challenging projects, he brings to Hazen a deep knowledge of the water industry, trusted relationships with clients nationwide, and a demonstrated commitment to meeting and exceeding expectations.
“We are very excited that Hampik is joining our team at Hazen and Sawyer. He has an exceptional understanding of the water business, expertise in leading broad strategy initiatives, and a proven record of delivering complex projects in a highly integrated region. Combined with his track record of recruiting, mentoring, and inspiring teams, these qualities will prove very valuable to our clients,” said Charlie Hocking, President and CEO.
“I am thrilled to be part of Hazen and Sawyer and to support the strategic growth of our capabilities in California and throughout the nation. I value the talent and expertise that Hazen and Sawyer offers our clients and am eager to work with the region’s management team to link those resources to support clients in implementing a complex suite of projects to address diverse challenges in the water industry,” said Mr. Dekermenjian.
Hampik is active in the local community in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife and two children. Earlier in his career, Hampik worked at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power where he led major capital improvements to maintain water quality. Prior to joining Hazen and Sawyer, Hampik worked for another major engineering firm where he led their West Region’s client service team and most recently led their Water Services Group of over 700 staff members.
My Profile
