Apex Water + Process

Back again, hosting the second annual SWPIS event is Apex Water + Process. Apex is a trusted leader in water and process management, helping industries reduce costs, maximize efficiency, ensure compliance, and optimize water and energy use through integrated solutions that include advanced chemistry, equipment, automation, and personalized expert support.

We help customers succeed by taking the complexity out of water and process management so they can focus on their core operations. We are committed to providing custom solutions tailored to each customer’s unique challenges, not the one size fits all fix. And we are driven to shape a sustainable future by go beyond just short-term solutions.

Together, we’re reimagining success in water and process management—making it smarter, simpler, and more sustainable.

Meet the Representatives!

Kyle Wohlgemuth

Presenting: Strategies for biological control in cooling systems

With 14 years of experience, Kyle has become an asset to not only his customers but to the industry, and Apex Water and Process. With experience in the Food & Beverage, General Manufacturing, Semiconductor, Power Generation, and District Cooling markets, Kyle has experience in developing partnerships, process optimization, automation, and custom water treatment programs to maximize efficiency and savings.

Kyle is instrumental in the application of our advanced technologies, a complete line of efficient, safe and sustainable industrial water treatment services and equipment designed to ensure the water treatment programs are saving customers money, improving operating efficiency, extending asset life, and reducing equipment downtime.

Kyle graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2009. He obtained his Certified Water Technologists designation in 2016 and continues to personally commit himself to excellence in the water treatment industry. Kyle resides in Round Rock, Texas with his wife and two dogs. He enjoys spending his free time golfing, fishing, boating and generally any outdoor activities. 

Travis Hanson

Presenting: Water Reuse strategies in Minimal Liquid Discharge & Zero Liquid Discharge facilities

Travis Hanson is a Chemical Engineer from the U of Minnesota with 31 years of experience as a water treatment professional. In addition to traditional boiler, cooling, and closed loop treatment, Travis has spent the last ten years specializing in two areas: “Waste to Pure” Industrial Water Reclamation, and Sulfate & Trace Metal Capture on high-strength Power and Mining waste. Travis is a native of Northern MN and lives in Superior, WI with his wife of 31 years. They have three daughters and one grandchild.

Visit the Apex Website!

Swan Analytical USA Inc.

Swan is a leading provider of on-line analytical systems in the water industry. The current product portfolio ranges from ultrapure water (like pharmaceutical and semiconductor applications), feedwater, steam and condensate monitoring as well as potable water and industrial water treatment up to swimming pool and sanitary water applications.

Meet the Representative!

Steve deVilleneuve

Presenting: Improving reliability of degassed conductivity after cation exchange measurement with EDI technology

Steve has worked in the Power Plant Steam Cycle industry for going on 15 years. As the Regional Sales Manager for Swan Analytical, Steve has spent the past 15 years working with power plant chemists, I&C technicians and operations personnel.

Prior to his time at Swan, Steve spent 14 years in the Environmental Instrumentation field as a Technical Consultant, Operations Manager and as a Regional Sales Manager

Steve was born in Austin Texas and graduated from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos Texas.

Visit the Swan Website!

Hach

Since our founding in 1933, Hach has led the industry in developing innovative solutions to help our customers analyze their water more efficiently and more effectively.

Today, Hach products can be found around the globe in a wide range of lab, field, and in-process uses in municipal and industrial facilities. Hach analytics solutions are designed to give operators and managers confidence in the many decisions they make to ensure compliance, improve energy efficiency, and reduce waste in production, product quality, and utilities management.

Meet the Representative!

Eric Lehmann

Presenting: Monitoring Iron Transport and Flow Accelerated Corrosion in the Steam Cycle Using Ultra Low Turbidity via Laser Nephelometry

Eric Lehmann is a Sales Development Manager at Hach, where he supports product development and mentors new employees. He began his career as an analytical chemist before joining Hach in 2004 as a Regional Sales Manager for industrial markets. A frequent technical presenter and subject-matter expert, Eric brings deep industry knowledge to his role. Eric is married with three children, and outside of work, he enjoys hunting and fishing in South Dakota’s Black Hills.

Visit the Hach Website!

Bionetics

Bionetics’ Condenser Monitoring Services (CMS) support power plants in maintaining optimal condenser performance through diagnostic analysis and operational recommendations. Condenser-related issues such as elevated back pressure, reduced heat transfer efficiency, vacuum loss, and noncondensable gas accumulation can impair plant output and increase operating costs.

Using specialized instrumentation and data analysis, Bionetics identifies performance limitations, determines root causes, and recommends corrective actions. Since 1994, Bionetics has conducted research on condenser dynamics, applying field measurements and analysis methods developed through the use of the RheoVac instrument to improve condenser operation and reliability.

Meet the Representative!

Brian Harpster

Presenting: Enhancing Condenser Performance Through Real-Time Instrumentation and Targeted Retrofit Solutions

Mr. Harpster received his B.A. and M.B.A. in Business Administration from Otterbein College. He is Business Development Manager at Bionetics Corporation, responsible for new RheoVac instrument applications and for developing the condenser services business. He brings to Bionetics six years’ experience in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Brian has a breadth of experience at Bionetics Corporation, including manufacturing, Quality Assurance and sales/marketing. He has worked with RheoVac customers since the product’s introduction in 1994 and has co-authored papers on the application of this technology. He has consulted with many power plants, assisting and supporting customers on the installation and operation of the instrument and troubleshooting condenser performance.

Visit the Bionetics Website!

Thatcher Chem Group

Thatcher Group, Inc. is a diversified chemical manufacturer and distributor. We are a privately held company founded in 1967 upon the principles of value, integrity, and mutual respect. Our Mission is to build long-term strategic relationships with our customers, with safety, efficiency, innovation, and cost minimization brought forward in each aspect of our business associations.

Meet the Representative!

Keith Clardy

Presenting: Commodities, the forgotten chemicals…

Keith Clardy brings over 30 years of experience in industrial water treatment, with a career spanning Calgon, the City of Sioux City, Nalco, Alstom, KAAM Group, and now Thatcher Company, where he serves as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

He and his wife have been married for 29 years and have two daughters, ages 19 and 21.

Visit the Thatcher Chem Website!

Century Fire Protection

Century Fire Protection, established in 2000 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, is a comprehensive fire protection solutions provider. The company offers a full range of services, including design, fabrication, installation, inspection, and maintenance of fire protection systems. With over 2,000 employees across 35 offices in 12 states, Century Fire Protection is licensed to operate in 42 states nationwide. Their core values emphasize accountability, relationship-building, integrity, responsiveness, continuous improvement, safety, and ongoing learning. The company's mission is to positively impact employees, clients, and business partners by fostering a goal-oriented work environment focused on understanding client challenges and delivering valued solutions.

Meet the Representative!

Don Bordelon

Presenting: How does the water conditions affect your Fire Suppression Equipment

Don Bordelon has been providing Fire Suppression Inspections and Servicing to the industry for 17 years.

He provides these services to power plants, production facilities, above ground mining operations and schools to name a few.

He has a NICET 1 Certification in Wet System Suppression and is a Licensed Inspector for Extinguishers.

He Honorably served as a US Soldier and US Marine.

Mr. Bordelon has assisted in designing Class D Suppression systems, as well as Sprinkler/Alarm systems.

Visit the CFP Website!

Purgerite

PurgeRite, established in 2008 and headquartered in Willis, Texas, specializes in mechanical flushing and purging services for closed-loop hydronic HVAC and geothermal systems. Serving sectors such as data centers, industrial and commercial facilities, campus and district energy systems, and medical institutions, PurgeRite is committed to enhancing system performance, reliability, and efficiency. The company's mission focuses on delivering expert solutions with a strong emphasis on safety and customer satisfaction. Through customized engineered approaches, PurgeRite ensures optimal conditions and peak performance for clients' equipment. By adhering to rigorous safety protocols and industry standards, PurgeRite aims to set new benchmarks in the HVAC industry, prioritizing clean and efficient hydronic systems for end users across America.

Meet the Representative!

Russell Buras



Presenting: Hydronic Mechanical Flushing and Recycling in Closed Loop Systems

Russell V. Buras, CEO, has been at PurgeRite since its inception in 2008 as a co-founder. He is responsible for setting the strategic vision and implementing growth programs to drive PurgeRite to be the industry leader in flushing and purging. He brings several decades of corporate experience in the telecommunications service industry as well as many years in entrepreneurial startups and company growth. He holds a BS in EET from Texas A&M University.

Visit the Purgerite Website!

Solventum

Solventum is a global healthcare company dedicated to improving lives through smarter, safer healthcare solutions. Formed in 2024 as a spinoff from 3M, Solventum brings over 70 years of innovation in health, material, and data science. Headquartered in Minnesota, the company operates across four core areas: MedSurg, Dental Solutions, Health Information Systems, and Purification & Filtration. With a global team of 22,000, Solventum focuses on advancing care, empowering providers, and driving better outcomes through empathy, innovation, and collaboration.

Meet the Representative!

Yves Schweizer

Presenting: Optimize Boiler Efficiency with Dissolved Gas Control Using 3M™ Liqui-Cel™ Membrane Contactors

Yves Schweizer has nearly two decades of experience in dissolved gas control, specializing in 3M™ Liqui-Cel™ Membrane Contactors. He began his career in Geneva with DuPont before relocating to Charlotte, NC, in 2006 to join Membrana—now Solventum. Currently a Technical Service Applications Engineer, Yves supports industries across the U.S. and Canada, including power, microelectronics, and beverage. Originally from Switzerland, he holds a Mechanical Engineering degree and enjoys golf, mountain biking, and traveling with his wife and two sons.

Visit the Solventum Website!

AquaPhoenix

AquaPhoenix Scientific, based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, specializes in manufacturing and distributing water testing kits, reagents, and chemical feed and control equipment. Serving industries like water treatment, environmental, food and beverage, and oil and gas, they offer customizable solutions including private labeling and tailored packaging. The company emphasizes continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and a customer-first approach, fostering a collaborative culture that values employee input and community involvement. Their commitment to safety, quality, and service excellence drives their mission to deliver reliable, efficient solutions for water and chemical management.

Visit the AquaPhoenix Website!

Plastocor Inc.

Plastocor, Inc. is the leading supplier and applicator of high performance epoxy products which are designed to restore and revitalize heat exchange equipment in the power industry in North America, In this pursuit, we have developed a family of proprietary coating materials and application procedures which are applied turn-key using our own work force. Plastocor, Inc. is an independent company and should not be confused with Plastocor – International.

Visit the Plastocor Website!

Pyxis

Founded in 2013, Pyxis Lab® develops advanced water treatment technologies, including smart inline sensors, handheld devices, and tracer chemicals. Headquartered near Houston with offices in Barcelona and Shanghai, they serve over 15,000 sites globally. Their Bluetooth-enabled products integrate easily into systems for better dosing, control, and sustainability. Backed by 75+ years of team experience, Pyxis focuses on accuracy, usability, and environmental impact.

Visit the Pyxis Website!