PVC Pipe Association Annual Meeting

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
 

Sunday, April 18

Tuesday, April 20

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
 

Special Guest Speaker

David Zaruk, Ph.D., is an environmental-health risk governance analyst and has been a pioneer in science/society communications issues for almost 30 years. Until 2022, he was a professor in communications, public relations, lobbying, and marketing at Vesalius College, Facultés Saint-Louis, and Odisee University College in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to that, Dr. Zaruk worked 12 years in chemicals issue management for Solvay, Cefic, and Burson-Marsteller and was a co-founder of GreenFacts, a science-based risk communications tool for non-specialists. David writes a blog under the pseudonym “The Risk-Monger,” where he assesses the use of evidence in environmental-health policy management and is also editor of “The Firebreak,” a news site that monitors media coverage of environmental-health news, foundation funding of activist campaigns, science, and policy matters.

How Dark Money Supports NGOs Attacking PVC Pipe and How to Fight Back
The world of stakeholder issue management has evolved in the last decade. Previously, NGOs would fund campaigns by donations and membership fees, but following the tech industry wealth creation, the rise in billionaires has led to a large number of passive foundations managed by activist consultants (professionalized philanthropy). Foundation funding is flowing into fiscal sponsor projects that look and act like NGOs but are neither transparent nor accountable. These new actors, possibly aligned with other competing industries, are choreographing campaigns with law firms, filmmakers, and media groups (also often funded by the same foundations). The PVC industry is suffering under a larger anti-plastics campaign with direct involvement coming from the Bloomberg, Rockefeller, and Minderoo foundations, to name but a few. The presentation will cite case studies from past investigations to consider what the industry can do to level the playing field.

PRESENTATIONS

Where PVC Pipe Fits in North Texas: Growth, Standards, and Lessons from the Field
Mat Busby, P.E., Project Director, LJA Engineering
North Texas adds more than 300 residents a day, and every one of them needs water and sewer pipe. This presentation will review PVC pipe project case studies from across the region, explain how regional and municipal standards shape material selection, and identify where PVC pipe can compete with steel, RCCP, and ductile iron. Finally, a look at lessons learned from capital projects and a discussion of Texas market conditions for underground piping.

Demystifying the Hydrostatic Stress Board (HSB)
Mike Casavant, PMP, Chair, HSB, Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI)
Often described as the plastic pipe industry’s “secret society,” the HSB has played a critical role in pressure pipe qualification since 1958. Join us as we pull back the curtain on how the HSB is structured, what they do, and why a better understanding of their work can help drive growth and profitability for the PVC pipe industry.

European Plastic Pipe Markets: Investing in Water, Energy, and Climate Resilience
Zoran Davidovski, Head of Sustainability, Pipelife
An overview of the European plastic pipe market and the key factors shaping its future growth. Particular focus will be given to PVC, which remains one of the most widely used pipe materials in water and sewer applications due to its proven performance, cost-effectiveness, and long service life. This presentation will also examine the growing role of recycled PVC (rPVC), recent regulatory and sustainability developments, and how circular economy initiatives are supporting increased use of recycled materials while maintaining product quality and performance. Real-world examples and market insights will illustrate how the industry is responding to these opportunities and challenges.

Indiana Establishes State-Wide Water Center and Mandates Water Utilities to Develop Water Asset Management Programs
Tom Iseley, Ph.D., P.E., Dist. M., ASCE, BC-PLW, Professor of Engineering Practice, Beavers Heavy Construction Distinguished Fellow, Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Purdue University
A discussion of Indiana’s requirement for drinking water and wastewater utilities to develop and implement comprehensive risk-based asset management programs. Critically, this will require utilities to develop an Asset Management Data Repository, which will provide performance metrics that can be used to assess water system performance, including piping materials. Data-driven decision-making will enable PVC water and sewer pipe to be more effectively evaluated by utilities in Indiana. This presentation will also provide a brief overview of a WRF-funded initiative by Purdue University that will result in a Manual of Practice addressing Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) from private property.

An Update on NSF Standards and Activities for Distribution Pipe
Nasrin Kashefi, Director, Plastics Program, NSF
A presentation on the recent changes to NSF standards and policies related to health effects and performance of distribution pipe and related components, including a short discussion on the requirements and benefits of certification for PVC pipe.

Housing Market Outlook
Fan-Yu Kuo, Principal Economist, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
The housing market is an important sector that helps drive PVC water and sewer pipe demand. This session will provide an overview of the macroeconomy, housing market conditions, industry-level details on supply-side headwinds for housing, and the 2027 NAHB forecast for single-family and multifamily construction.

PVC: Key Drivers and Trends, Feedstock’s Outlook, and Worldwide Economic Factors
Ana Lopez, Executive Director Vinyls, Dow Jones Energy
A look at capacity and demand in the global inorganics marketplace, with special emphasis on North America.

The Future of Rural Water: Regionalization, Investment, and Infrastructure Opportunities
Glenn Marzluf, General Manager and CEO, Del-Co Water Company
As rural water systems face aging infrastructure, increasing regulatory demands, workforce challenges, and funding constraints, regionalization is becoming an increasingly important strategy for long-term sustainability. Drawing on the work of the Association of Regional Water Organizations (ARWO) and the experience of Del-Co Water Company, this presentation will explore emerging trends in regional utility development, opportunities for small- and large-diameter PVC pipe, and the evolving role of federal funding programs. The discussion will also highlight how regional approaches can strengthen rural water service, improve economies of scale, and support infrastructure investment.

From Scarcity to Certainty: The Decade Ahead for Water and Sewer Infrastructure
Leigh Ramsey, Research Director, Bluefield Research
This session will explore the key forces shaping the municipal water market, including capital spending priorities, the long tail of federal funding, and rising water demand from data centers. It will also look ahead to the future of underground pipe networks and the materials used in them, examining where the greatest opportunities lie over the next decade.

Rural Water in America: The Challenges Small Systems Face and the Role of PVC Pipe
Charles D. Stephens, Senior Executive Director of Policy, National Rural Water Association (NRWA)
NRWA has supported small water systems for 50 years by providing on-site technical assistance, operator and board training, disaster response, and advocacy for federal funding. Rural systems face aging infrastructure, limited resources, and a complex regulatory landscape. When considering infrastructure improvements, PVC pipe is central to that response. PVC is corrosion-resistant, requires little maintenance, and offers standardized ratings that suit small budgets and long pipe runs.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
 

Mat Busby, P.E., is Project Director at LJA Engineering and has extensive experience in utility engineering, infrastructure design, construction administration, and quality assurance for municipal public works projects throughout Texas. His expertise includes water, wastewater, drainage, and transportation utility coordination, as well as the development and application of engineering standards and specifications. Mat has led multidisciplinary teams through planning, design, permitting, and construction, providing technical oversight and review to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and municipal standards. He is recognized for delivering practical, constructible solutions that balance operational needs, long-term reliability, and cost-effective project delivery.

Mike Casavant, PMP, has been Chair of the Hydrostatic Stress Board at the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) since May 2025. Previously he was Technical Committee Chair at PPI and an HSB Member while working for two major PEX manufacturers. Mike has been in the plastic pipe industry for eight years in highly technical roles in QC/QA, R&D, failure analysis, technology transfer, and designing SCADA & automation systems for manufacturing plants and remote systems utilizing GPS, cellular, and satellite communications. Mr. Casavant has also held technical positions in the insulation industry, primarily in product and process development for fiberglass pipe, air handling insulation, and vapor retarder facings. He developed new pipe insulation products and obtained two U.S. patents. Mike has a background in chemistry, applied statistics, programming, and machine learning.

Zoran Davidovski is Head of Sustainability at Pipelife, a global manufacturer of piping solutions and a subsidiary of Wienerberger, a leading provider of innovative and ecological solutions for building envelopes, infrastructure, as well as water and energy management. Zoran has over 25 years of experience in the plastics industry and has held various roles in manufacturing, marketing, and product management. Mr. Davidovski also represents Pipelife at The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA) and has chaired numerous Plastic Pipes conferences. Zoran’s leadership and expertise have played a key role in advancing sustainability and innovation in the plastic pipe industry.

Tom Iseley, Ph.D., P.E., Dist. M., ASCE, BC-PLW, Professor of Engineering Practice, Beavers Heavy Construction Distinguished Fellow, Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Purdue University, has over 40 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of underground infrastructure systems. Since 1982, he has served on the faculty of Mississippi State University, Purdue University, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, and Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Iseley is a renowned leader in trenchless technology and pipeline systems. A Purdue alum, he helped pioneer the field through the founding of the Trenchless Technology Center and co-founding the North American Society for Trenchless Technology.

Nasrin Kashefi is Director, Plastics Program at NSF, an organization providing standards development, product certification, education and risk management for public health and safety.

Fan-Yu Kuo is a Principal Economist at the National Association of Home Builders, specializing in comprehensive economic research with a focus on macroeconomics and forecasting. She regularly delivers economic updates and forecasts. Her research covers housing market trends, economic indicators, and their impact on the housing industry. She holds MAs in International Economics and Finance from Johns Hopkins University.

Ana Lopez is Executive Director Vinyls at Dow Jones Energy and has more than 20 years of experience analyzing petrochemical commodities markets. During her time with the company, she has worked in a wide variety of roles within polyolefins, chlor-alkali, and vinyls. Mrs. Lopez is a key resource for understanding and insight into the chlor-alkali and vinyls sectors of the petrochemical industry.

Glenn Marzluf has served as General Manager and CEO of Del-Co Water Company since 2012. Del-Co is a member-owned, nonprofit cooperative regional water utility serving communities in a multi-county area in central Ohio of approximately 850 square miles, with an extensive distribution system built predominantly with PVC pipe. Glenn is actively involved in the water industry, including the Association of Regional Water Organizations (ARWO), AWWA, and in governance positions nationally and regionally in other organizations in the water sector. He brings practical experience in regional water utility leadership, infrastructure investment, and long-term system planning.

Leigh Ramsey is a Research Director at Bluefield Research, covering municipal water in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to working at Bluefield Research, Leigh received her MBA and worked as an environmental engineer in New York City, focusing on stormwater management and climate resiliency.

Charles D. Stephens is Senior Executive Director of Policy for the National Rural Water Association and is responsible for ensuring every American has access to safe, clean, and affordable water and wastewater services by advising the Executive Branch, members of Congress, and other trade associations on sound policy. Additionally, Charles assists rural communities in securing the necessary financing to build infrastructure that drives economic growth and enhances the health and safety of all rural Americans. Mr. Stephens recently served as Assistant Administrator for Water and Environmental Programs for USDA Rural Development where he oversaw the funding programs that provided financing to thousands of rural communities across the U.S. Additionally, Charles has held senior positions at the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Farm Service Agency.