Sewerage & Water Board Of New Orleans Community & Intergovernmental Relations Department 625 St. Joseph Street, Room B-47 New Orleans, Louisiana 70165 504-585-2175
May 16, 2007
To: News Media From: Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans Re: Key Position Filled Release Immediately Contact: Robert Jackson, 269-7978  or               Brenda Thornton, 269-7819
Becker Named Deputy General Superintendent Of Sewerage & Water Board

Joseph R. Becker, a 20-year employee of the Sewerage and Board of New Orleans, has been named deputy general superintendent of the Board, a position that has been vacant for three and a half years.

Becker, who most recently was network design superintendent for seven years, has also served as pressure system superintendent and gravity system superintendent since he joined the staff in 1987. He is a licensed professional civil engineer and a licensed professional environmental engineer.

Marcia St. Martin, executive director of the Board, said, "We are most fortunate to have someone with Joe Becker's experience and background to fill this important position at this most crucial time in the Board's history. The positions he has held with the Board have prepared him well for the duties he will handle in working closely with General Superintendent G. Joseph Sullivan."

She added, "We are also proud to be able to promote someone from within the ranks of the Sewerage and Water Board who knows our systems, policies, financing and needs so well."

Becker will report directly to the general superintendent, whose office is responsible for all aspects of the field operation, maintenance and engineering design for the Board. The office also oversees the work of the Drainage, Water Purification, Wastewater Treatment, Engineering, Operations, Networks, Maintenance and Plumbing Departments.

In addition to his engineering work, Becker was involved with the Sewerage System Consent Decree negotiations between the Sewerage and Water Board and the Federal Government. He was the Board's expert in several areas of construction and management and played a key role in the development and implementation of the Board's Preventive Maintenance Manual as well as its Emergency Response Manual, both of which are included in the final consent decree agreement.

Becker, 45, also holds licenses from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals for Class IV Wastewater Collection Operator and Class IV Water Distribution Operator. He holds membership in the American Public Works Association, the American Water Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Orleans and completed the Management Development Program of Loyola University of New Orleans.

Becker has been married to wife Kerri for 14 years and they have two sons, Ryan, 12, and Robert, 10. He has coached youth baseball, soccer and basketball and is a Cub Scoutmaster and an assistant Boy Scoutmaster.