Movers and shakers
David LaFrance
David LaFrance has joined the Denver-based American Water Works Association as executive director. Previously, he was director of finance for Denver Water for the past 12 years. The AWWA Board of Directors selected LaFrance after unanimous recommendations from a Transition Committee and the Executive Committee, both comprised of AWWA volunteer leaders. LaFrance has been a member of AWWA for 15 years and served as chair of AWWA’s Audit Committee from 2005 to 2008 and its Rates and Charges Subcommittee from 1993 to 2002. LaFrance earned an MBA in finance from the University of Colorado-Denver in 1992 and a bachelor of science degree in economics from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., in 1986.
Jeffrey Epstein and Vincent Loiacono
Jeffrey Epstein, president of the Reston, Va.-based communications company TerreStar, has been named chief executive officer. Vincent Loiacono, chief accounting officer for the company, has been named chief financial officer. “Since Jeff’s elevation to president in April 2008, he has shown that he has the vision and leadership to take TerreStar into its next phase of growth — becoming the first fully operational integrated satellite/terrestrial network provider,” said TerreStar Board of Directors Chairman William Freeman in a statement. Loiacono has been TerreStar’s chief accounting officer since November 2008. “Vince will help us execute against a sound corporate financial plan, creating long-term shareholder value as we become operational,” said TerreStar President and CEO Jeffrey Epstein in a statement.
Michael Sheehan
Michael Sheehan has joined Clarksburg, Md.-based Thales Communications as chief executive officer. Previously, he was a senior executive at Dorset, England-based Cobham. Sheehan has more than 27 years of industry experience. He has supported and managed elements of programs including JTRS, Future Combat Systems, Warfighter Information Network-Tactical and Link 16. He began his career as a design engineer for the former RCA Corp. Sheehan earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University, a master of science degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University, and a master of business administration from Columbia University.
Robert Paulsen
Robert Paulsen, chairman and chief executive officer for Orlando, Fla.-based engineering firm PBSJ Corp., has been named to the Washington-based American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) executive committee. The two-year term as vice chair will commence at the April 2010 Annual Convention in Washington. Paulsen has been a member of ACEC since 1986. He also is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers; the Institute of Transportation Engineers; the National Society of Professional Engineers; the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association; the Florida Engineering Society; and the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers. He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1974 and is a licensed professional engineer in Florida, Kansas, Michigan and Texas.