Thirsty to Learn More? Tap Into the World Water Hub!
Richard (Rich) Meeusen
Rich Meeusen is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Badger Meter, Inc., a Milwaukee-based company that is a leading manufacturer and marketer of flow measurement solutions, with a primary focus on the water industry.
Through his work for Badger Meter, Meeusen began to research the potential of Milwaukee as the “silicon valley” of water. He developed a list of 120 companies based in the region that serve the water industry, recognizing that these companies could be the catalyst for a vision to make the Milwaukee region the world hub for freshwater research, economic development and education.
Meeusen co-founded the Milwaukee Water Council in 2007 and currently co-chairs the organization’s board of directors. In just three years, the Milwaukee Water council has captured the attention of business and community leaders across the country and has made a relatively unknown Milwaukee industry the most talked about initiative in the region in more than 50 years.
In addition to his role with the Milwaukee Water Council, Meeusen’s community volunteer activities include serving on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc., (board chair), the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, the Milwaukee Public Museum and the United Performing Arts Fund (board chair). Most recently, he was appointed by the Governor to the Great Lakes Protection Fund board. He is a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and the Milwaukee 7. He also serves on the advisory boards for the business schools at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (chair) and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Meeusen joined Badger Meter in 1995 as vice president-finance and chief financial officer. He was elected president and chief executive officer in 2002 and chairman in 2004. He received a BBA degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1976 and an MBA degree from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in 1995. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).