Energy Recovery Appoints Alex Buehler as Interim President and CEO Amid Leadership Transition
Energy Recovery, a leading provider of energy-efficient technologies that support affordable and reliable water infrastructure while helping industries reduce emissions, has announced a significant leadership transition. The company has appointed Alex Buehler, a current member of its Board of Directors and a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the water technology sector, as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
The appointment follows the decision by current President and CEO David Moon to accelerate the timing of his previously announced retirement for personal reasons. The company stated that Buehler will serve in the interim leadership role until a permanent chief executive officer is selected through an ongoing executive search process.
The transition marks an important moment for Energy Recovery as it continues to expand its position in global water and energy-efficiency markets. The company’s Board of Directors expressed gratitude to Moon for his years of leadership and contributions to the organization, acknowledging the role he played in guiding the company through a period of growth and technological advancement.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, the Board thanked Moon for his service and wished him success and fulfillment in retirement. His departure comes after previously signaling his intention to retire, though the timeline has now been moved forward.
To ensure continuity and stability during the transition, the Board moved quickly to appoint a leader with a deep understanding of both the company and the broader water treatment industry. Buehler’s extensive history with Energy Recovery made him a natural choice to guide the organization while the search for a permanent CEO continues.
The company previously disclosed that it had retained a prominent executive search firm to identify its next chief executive officer. According to Energy Recovery, the search process remains active, and the Board intends to evaluate a broad pool of qualified candidates from both inside and outside the organization. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to finding the best possible leader to support its long-term strategic objectives and growth plans.
Buehler brings decades of leadership experience across the water technology, industrial, and engineering sectors. His connection to Energy Recovery dates back more than a decade. Between 2011 and 2014, he served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, gaining firsthand knowledge of its operations, financial structure, and growth strategy. During that period, he played an important role in supporting the company’s financial management and strategic initiatives.
Following his tenure as CFO, Buehler remained closely connected to the company through his service on the Board of Directors. His familiarity with Energy Recovery’s culture, technology portfolio, customers, and strategic priorities is expected to facilitate a smooth transition in executive leadership.
Beyond his experience with Energy Recovery, Buehler has built an accomplished career leading organizations focused on water treatment and advanced filtration technologies. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Water Services, a company involved in delivering water infrastructure and treatment solutions. In that role, he oversaw business operations and strategic growth initiatives aimed at addressing increasing global demand for efficient water management systems.
Earlier in his career, Buehler also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of LiqTech International, a company recognized for its advanced filtration and membrane technologies. LiqTech specializes in innovative filtration systems that utilize silicon carbide ceramic materials, which are known for their durability, efficiency, and effectiveness in demanding industrial applications. His leadership experience at LiqTech further strengthened his expertise in water treatment technologies and environmental solutions.
Buehler continues to maintain a close relationship with LiqTech, currently serving as Chairman of the Board for LiqTech Systems. His ongoing involvement with the company highlights his extensive knowledge of water purification, filtration, and sustainability-focused technologies that align closely with Energy Recovery’s mission.
In addition to his leadership positions at Energy Recovery and LiqTech, Buehler has contributed his expertise through service on multiple corporate boards. Among these roles, he previously served as a Board member for Viscount Systems, adding to his experience in corporate governance, strategic oversight, and organizational leadership.
His professional background is supported by a strong academic foundation. Buehler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, one of the nation’s most respected institutions for engineering and leadership education. He later completed a Master of Business Administration at the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, equipping him with advanced expertise in finance, management, and corporate strategy.
The combination of technical engineering knowledge and executive business leadership has enabled Buehler to build a career spanning operations, finance, corporate governance, and strategic growth. These qualifications are expected to support Energy Recovery as it navigates the leadership transition and continues executing its business objectives.
As part of the interim appointment, several governance adjustments have also been implemented to maintain appropriate Board oversight and independence. Although Buehler will remain a member of the company’s Board of Directors while serving as Interim President and CEO, he will step down from his positions on both the Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee.
In addition, Buehler will relinquish his responsibilities as Chair of the Audit Committee. To fill that role, the Board has appointed Director Arve Hanstveit as the new Audit Chair. The change is designed to preserve strong governance practices and ensure clear separation between executive management responsibilities and Board committee oversight functions.
Energy Recovery is widely recognized for developing technologies that improve energy efficiency in water treatment and industrial processes. The company’s solutions help reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and support sustainability goals for customers around the world. As demand for efficient water infrastructure continues to rise due to population growth, urbanization, and increasing water scarcity challenges, the company remains focused on expanding the adoption of its technologies across global markets.
With Buehler assuming interim leadership, Energy Recovery enters its next chapter with an executive who understands both the company’s history and the evolving needs of the industries it serves. His combination of operational experience, financial expertise, governance knowledge, and water-sector leadership positions him to provide continuity while the Board completes its search for a permanent chief executive.
As the executive search process moves forward, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the company advances its growth strategy and maintains momentum in the rapidly evolving water and energy-efficiency sectors. For now, the appointment of Alex Buehler provides a steady and experienced hand at the helm, ensuring that Energy Recovery remains focused on delivering value to customers, shareholders, and communities worldwide.
Source Link: https://www.businesswire.com/
