Our Mission
The Missouri Water & Wastewater Association exists to provide operators with quality training that is educational in nature, designed to meet the qualifications for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for operator certification renewal credits, and equips water professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate and maintain water treatment facilities, wastewater operations, and water distribution systems.
MWWA is committed to:
Advancing operator education and certification
Supporting safety, professionalism, and technical excellence
Strengthening Missouri’s water and wastewater workforce
A Legacy of Service
MWWA’s history reflects decades of dedication to operator education and statewide collaboration.
Dr. Warren A. Kramer served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Association from 1938 until his death in 1969. Before his passing, Dr. Kramer asked his friend, Robert S. Miller, to continue the work by stepping into the Secretary-Treasurer role.
Robert “Bob” S. Miller volunteered as Secretary-Treasurer from 1970 to 1991. From 1991 until his retirement on December 31, 2000, Bob served as Executive Secretary of the Missouri Water and Wastewater Association. During this time, his wife, Grace Miller, assisted with Association operations until Bob later hired his daughter-in-law, Sandi Miller, as a part-time office assistant.
Bob continued to serve MWWA as a Board Member Emeritus until his passing on March 16, 2016.
At Bob Miller’s urging, John Betz volunteered as MWWA’s Recording Secretary from 2001 to 2010.
Sandi Miller’s service to MWWA includes:
- Office Assistant (1992–1995)
- Office Manager (1995–1999)
- Coordinator (2000–2010)
- Director (2011)
- Executive Director (2012–present)
In 2025, the MWWA Board voted to contract with The 109 Group to manage all elements of the organization following Sandi Miller’s planned retirement in April 2026. Derek Leffert, Managing Principal and CEO of The 109 Group, will officially assume the role of Executive Director in April 2026 and lead MWWA into its next chapter.
Leadership & Staff
Derek Leffert
Executive Director
Michael David
Assistant Executive Director
Board of Directors
MWWA is guided by a Board of Directors representing regions across Missouri and diverse areas of the water and wastewater profession.
Curtis Hedrick
Chair
Mike McMillian
Chair Elect
Shelley Lane
Vice Chair
Archie Hendren, Jr.
Immediate Past Chair
Directors
Kent Spainhour
Director 1
Quentin Overbeck
Director 2
Verlon Persinger
Director 3
Section Representatives
Tony Davis
East Central Section Board Rep
Aleksander Rowinski
Midwest Section Board Rep
Tyler Stuhlman
Northeast Section Board Rep
John Brown
Northwest Section Board Rep
Keith Morrow
Southeast Section Board Rep
John Waitman
Southwest Section Board Rep
Board Member Emeritus
Tony Lamb
Serving Missouri’s Water & Wastewater Community
MWWA continues to evolve while staying rooted in its core mission: supporting operators and utilities through education, training, and professional connection.
From section meetings and safety resources to statewide conferences and certification-aligned training, MWWA remains a trusted partner to Missouri’s water and wastewater professionals.
Get Involved
Whether you are an operator, supervisor, vendor, or industry partner, MWWA offers opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute.