IBWA Elects Bell Chairman Welcomes Rep Rothfus At 2015 Meeting

WASHINGTON -- The International Bottled Water Association elected its leaders for the coming year during the association's annual business conference here. Elected chairman of the board for 2015-16 is Joe Bell, Aqua Filter Fresh (Pittsburgh), who succeeds Bryan Shinn, Shinn Spring Water Co. (Birdsboro, PA). Shayron Barnes-Selby, DS Services (Atlanta), was chosen as vice-chair.

The association elected three directors at the conference. Chosen for three-year terms are Andy Eaton, Eurofins Eaton Analytical Inc. (Monrovia, CA); Dan Kelly, Polymer Solutions International Inc. (Newtown Square, PA); and Bill Young, Absopure Water Company Inc. (Plymouth, MI). The IBWA board has 12 members.

A highlight of the 2015 business conference was a visit by Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA), who has worked diligently in Congress to promote healthy hydration options for Americans. IBWA president and chief executive Joseph Doss welcomed Rothfus to a meeting of the association's Government Affairs Committee, and thanked him for his resolute efforts in the House of Representatives to reverse the National Park Service's policy of allowing its units to ban the sale of bottled water.

Doss noted that the wisdom of the House's decision is supported by research published on May 14, 2015, in the American Journal of Public Health, which confirms that bans or restrictions on the sale of bottled water increase consumption of less-healthy beverages and are an ineffective means of reducing plastic waste. Forbidding the sale of bottled water contradicts the NPS's own Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative, which promotes healthy food and beverage choices, as well as first lady Michelle Obama's Drink Up Initiative, which encourages water consumption.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Rothfus and others in Congress to ensure that important healthy hydration policies are recognized that can help combat the health crisis in America," Doss concluded.

WATER RIGHT:Rep. Keith Rothfus (fourth from left) reviews value of bottled water in national parks with, from left, IBWA dignitaries Joe Doss, president; Bryan Shinn, immediate past-chairman; Phyllis Rokus of Poly Cycle Solutions; Joe Bell, chairman-elect; Shayron Barnes-Selby, vice-chair elect; and director Lynn Watchman, Maumee Valley Bottlers.