The IAPMO Group  has announced the hiring of John Watson as vice president of industry relations and business development.

Watson has more than 30 years of plumbing industry experience in product development and compliance management. Prior to joining IAPMO, he was the senior manager of compliance and sustainability for Elkay Manufacturing. Before that he was the director of water efficiency and technical services for Sloan Valve. He also held several positions at Chicago Faucet, where he started in engineering and completed his tenure in operations.

"John is well known and respected in the industry and his manufacturing experience will serve IAPMO well in our efforts to further enhance and solidify our relationships with customers," IAPMO Executive Vice President of Industry Relations and Business Development Lee Mercer said.

Watson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management from Elmhurst University and an Associate of Applied Science degree in engineering design/drafting from Triton College. He is involved in multiple professional volunteer associations, serving on the ASME A112 Main Committee, the ASME/CSA Joint Harmonization Task Group (JHTG) for plumbing products, and several ASME working groups, and is a member at large of the KCMA A161.1 Standards Committee. He is also a past board member of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) and served on several Water Quality Association (WQA) committees when he was active in the WQA.

"I'm happy to be part of the IAPMO team, where I plan to use my knowledge in product compliance, engineering and manufacturing to bolster industry initiatives and client services that provide added value," Watson said. "I'm looking forward to continuing my work within the industry, albeit from a slightly different perspective, but with the same intent of providing insight and value to this wonderful industry."