WMUA names new executive director
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

Michael A. Dimino

MANALAPAN - Michael A. Dimino, an environmental engineer, is the new executive director of the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority (WMUA).

He began working at the authority's Pension Road headquarters on April 9. Dimino succeeds Frank Abate, who left the position under a federal indictment that alleged he used his position for personal gain.

Referring directly to the situation that led to Abate's termination, Dimino said he was "sensitive to the issues and the image of the utility that has played out over the past year or so."

"I just want to assure people that with my 34-year background in the industry they can rest assured that everything will be done the right way. All based on good business, good science and with honesty," he said.

In a press release announcing Dimino's hiring, Eric Abraham, who chairs the WMUA Board of Commission-ers, said, "Michael's breadth of experience, expertise and leadership make him the ideal candidate to lead the WMUA. From his accomplished background as an environmental engineer to his successful track record managing two public sewer agencies, Michael is a welcome addition to our team of professionals."

According to Abraham, Dimino will report directly to the commissioners and will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the WMUA's advanced waste water treatment plant, which processes 5.5 million gallons per day of waste water, servicing 25,000 residential customers in Manal-apan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Free-hold Township.

According to Abraham, Dimino is a licensed New Jersey professional engineer with 34 years of experience in the field of waste water management. He worked as the superintendent of the Parsippany-Troy Hills sewer utility for the past two years, a public sewerage agency three times larger than the WMUA.

Prior to that, Dimino worked for EnviroTech Strategies, where he developed strategic sales and marketing plans for emerging environmental technology firms.

From 2000 to 2003, Dimino was the director for Schoor DePalma's Water Resources Division. In that capacity, leading a staff of 50 employees, he was responsible for directing the division's business development, marketing and administrative strategy.

He was a co-founder of Omni Environ-mental Corporation, an environmental evaluation and assessment consulting firm.

He is a former executive director of the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority. During that time he spearheaded and developed financial and capital improvement plans for an aging sewer utility faced with a rapidly growing service area along the Route 1 corridor in Princeton.

"I look forward to working alongside the WMUA commissioners and staff, and building upon the record of success they have already established," Dimino said. "I am enthused about tackling the challenges of managing an advanced waste water treatment facility, particularly as we embark upon a series of plant improvements."

Dimino said Kathy Leatherman, who had been serving as the WMUA's acting executive director since August, will return to her position as the authority's general manager.