Dean Amhaus has served as the founding president and CEO of The Water Council since March 2010. Under Mr. Amhaus’ leadership The Water Council has received numerous international and national economic development and leadership awards. In 2018, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program proclaimed that The Water Council was one of five organizations in the United States that it considers a successful industry cluster initiative. The Council’s most significant achievement occurred in September 2013 with the opening of the Global Water Center, a one-of-a-kind water technology research and business accelerator located in a 98,000 square feet /30,000 square meter seven-story refurbished Silver LEED warehouse in Milwaukee’s downtown. One of the programs within the Center is The BREW, which assists water technology entrepreneurs develop their company and expand their commercialization opportunities.

Mr. Amhaus has served as the President of the Spirit of Milwaukee, which is dedicated to enhancing Milwaukee’s image; President of Forward Wisconsin, the state’s economic development organization; and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Sesquicentennial Commission. For six years, Mr. Amhaus was with the Wisconsin Arts Board; first as Deputy Director and later as Executive Director. During the 1980’s he worked in government relations in Washington, D.C. Schooled in Wisconsin, Mr. Amhaus received his M.B.A from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and his B.S. in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

His diverse, forty-year background in multiple sectors encapsulates a wide-range of expertise in government relations, branding, fundraising, economic development and non-profit management in Washington, D.C. and Madison, Wisconsin.