Kevin Hardy, Executive Director
Kevin Hardy joined NWRI in 2017 as Executive Director. He works with policymakers and stakeholder groups to continue developing regulations for recycled drinking water and water treatment facilities. NWRI's well-established expert panel program helps guide technological innovation and policies that shape the future of recycled water use nationwide.
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Hardy was with Encina Wastewater Authority, a public agency that provides recycled water and wastewater treatment services in San Diego County, for 21 years and was General Manager for the last seven years of his tenure. He is past president of both the California Association of Sanitation Agencies and the California Sanitation Risk Management Authority.
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Hardy holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University, and a JD from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is the third Executive Director of NWRI since it was established in 1991, following Jeffrey Mosher (2005-2016) and Ronald Linsky (1991-2005).
Suzanne Sharkey, Water Resources Scientist and
Project Manager
Suzanne Sharkey joined NWRI in 2014 as a water resources scientist and project manager. Her responsibilities include coordinating with utilities, regulators, independent experts, and stakeholders to address challenging water resource management issues.
Before relocating to Southern California to focus on water agency projects, Sharkey managed projects that addressed stormwater quality, aquatic habitat restoration, and innovative groundwater remediation for consulting firms in Seattle and Rhode Island. Her past nonprofit service includes managing outreach for the National Water Program, the 2011 Northeast Private Well Symposium, and for Washington State University Cooperative Extension county water quality programs.
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Sharkey holds an MESM in earth and hydrologic science from University of Rhode Island, an MS in technical and science communication from Drexel University, and a BS in chemistry from The College of New Jersey.
Julie Abshire, Project Controller
Julie Abshire joined NWRI in June 2013. She brings her 20-year experience and a BS in Business to make sure that our spreadsheets tally and our accounts reconcile. Outside of work at NWRI, she volunteers with Girl Scouts. She recently helped set up nonprofit status for an equine-assisted therapy organization. Julie enjoys riding horses, gardening, animals (she fosters dogs), and crafts.
Mary Collins, Communication Manager
Mary Collins joined NWRI in September 2018. She relocated from Seattle where she worked as a technical communicator and project manager, most recently for Google and Microsoft. Her experience includes five years as technical editor at a Seattle-based earth sciences engineering firm where she worked on environmental and geotechnical engineering projects.
She has a BA in Communication from Boise State University and certification in technical writing and editing from the University of Washington in Seattle.
Tianna Manzon, Research Project Coordinator
Tianna Manzon joined NWRI in October 2022 as Research Project Coordinator. She has over five years of office and project management experience. She helps organize NWRI projects to be efficient and best serve our clients.
She has a business management degree from California State University, Long Beach.
Her interests outside of work include cooking, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Romeo.