An expert panel will address “Aging Water Infrastructure in Our Communities,” during an online roundtable at 3 p.m. April 27.
Tameika Isaac Devine, Derek Green and Scott Benson will speak about our country’s aging water and sewer infrastructure, which will need investments of more than $100 billion annually over the next 20 years, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Our water and infrastructure has been pushed further to the brink by the revenue losses and increased operational costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the roundtable, panelists will discuss how to improve both public and private aging water infrastructure; recover lost revenue; educate homeowners about their private infrastructure responsibilities and protect them from financial shock associated with it; and assist disadvantaged citizens with private infrastructure needs.
Columbia, S.C., Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine is a founding partner in the Jabber and Isaac PA law firm, practicing in real estate, probate and business transactions. Devine also founded The Possibilities Institute, a performance consulting, coaching and public speaking firm specializing in working with women, and she is involved with anti-gang and youth mentorship activities.
She is a 2002 Leadership Columbia graduate and 2013 Liberty Fellowship class member and serves on several boards, commissions and civic organizations, including the National Youth Violence Prevention Week; the Police Athletic League; the Together We Can educational initiative; as Heart Health Awareness Month spokesperson; co-chairing the Workforce Initiative Project and Let’s Move Columbia initiative; as a liaison between council and municipal judges; establishing the Criminal Domestic Violence Task Force; and initiating the 12-week Ultimate Wellness Challenge with the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center staff.
Devine was one of the few recognized by the Nation League of Cities University as reaching the platinum level in its certificate program. She is a member of the Brookland Baptist church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Detroit Third District Councilman Scott Benson spent nearly two decades in community development, including a stint as Small Business Director with Midtown Detroit Inc. and as a former real estate developer in Southeast Michigan.
He has made job creation and blight reduction his key focus, having created or received commitments on nearly 1,000 jobs in his district, authorized demolition of more than 10,000 buildings and re-established the city-wide street sweeping. Benson also wrote an ordinance to assist in shutting down noncompliant strip clubs, worked to close more than 165 illegal marijuana facilities and supported modern data collection to reduce crime. He also has a focus on preserving historic Detroit architecture and the environment, including promoting recycling.
He is involved with the International Institute of Metro Detroit, Osborn Neighborhood Alliance and the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
He served in the Coast Guard for 24 years, reaching the rank of Commander and serving overseas twice. He is a Naval War College graduate and holds a University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business certificate in finance.
Philadelphia Councilman Derek S. Green chairs the Committee on Finance and Disabilities and serves as the Vice Chair of the Committees on Aging and Law and Government. He also serves as Philadelphia Gas Commission chair, Philadelphia Cultural Fund board director, Democratic Municipal Officials board director, National League of Cities board director, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials regional director, and Pennsylvania Municipal League 1st vice president.
Prior to becoming a councilman, Green was a deputy city solicitor in Philadelphia’s Law Department Housing and Community Development, where he negotiated more than $100 million in housing and economic development contracts annually. He also was an assistant district attorney in the city and assistant deputy attorney general for Delaware in Securities and Criminal Divisions.
Green was a Center for Progressive Leadership Political Leadership Fellow and served as a faculty member and alumni board director. Among his many recognitions, he has received the Democratic Municipal Officials President’s Award, Urban Education Fund Gimper Award for Outstanding Service and been honored by Leadership Philadelphia, Metro Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Daily News.
He also served in a leadership capacity in a number of civic and professional organizations including Center in the Park Inc. president, East Mount Airy Neighbors Inc. president, Germantown YMCA 1st vice president, Young America Political Action Committee vice president, Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Legal Services to the Public Committee co-vice chair, as a board director at Green Tree School, Mount Airy USA CDC, Urban League of Philadelphia, West Oak Lane Charter School and West Philadelphia YMCA and as pro bono counsel for the Family Life Centers of Canaan Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown.
Green and his wife Sheila co-founded the first Autism Support Class at Houston Elementary School and are top regional fundraisers for Autism Speaks.
Don’t miss your opportunity to discuss water and sewer infrastructure with this panel of experts – seats are limited. Sign up today to reserve your spot.
Search