The Maryland Environmental Service (MES) announced that Ellen Frketic has been appointed as the agency鈥檚 new Deputy Director. Frketic was selected by Agency Director, Dr. Charles C. Glass with the consent of Governor Larry Hogan. In her new role, Frketic will share the responsibility of overall agency performance, financial stability, and strategic direction, while helping to seek new opportunities across the State.
Frketic joined MES in 1988 as a Project Manager, and quickly moved up to Chief of the Water/Wastewater Engineering Division. She has over 40 years of experience in water and wastewater distribution, collection, treatment, and reuse. She has been responsible for planning and implementation of the Agency鈥檚 annual Capital Budget, which ranges from $10 to $20 million and includes upgrades to the State鈥檚 water and wastewater treatment, storage, and conveyance facilities. Ms. Frketic has a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University and a Professional Engineer鈥檚 license from Texas.
鈥淚 am pleased that Ms. Frketic is filling this important role at MES.聽Her experience and education, plus her long-standing service to the agency will be invaluable as we move forward,鈥� said MES Director, Dr. Charles Glass, P.E. 鈥淒uring her time at MES, Ms. Frketic has shown strong leadership skills and the ability to manage complex environmental projects from start to finish. I look forward to working closely with her to lead the organization.鈥�
Frketic鈥檚 over 30-year history with MES includes leadership on important projects, such as spear-heading the enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) upgrades at MES-run wastewater treatment plants across the State, a reverse osmosis water treatment plant installed at Eastern Correctional Institution to improve water treatment, and the Agency鈥檚 first capital improvement plan and regional sludge plan. Additionally, when MES was called in during an emergency drought situation in the City of Frederick, Ms. Frketic led the efforts to initiate water operations in 30 days, providing 1 million gallons of water per day to the residents.
鈥淢ES is a unique organization, which I am proud to have been a part of for more than 30 years,鈥� said Ms. Frketic. 鈥淚 am excited to be given the opportunity to assist Dr. Glass in leading the agency and continuing my work with the great partners, clients, and team members at MES,鈥� she added.
Ms. Frketic is a member of the American Water Works Association, the WateReuse Association, and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and its local member association, Chesapeake Water Environment Association (CWEA). She is a past president of CWEA and is currently a member of the WEF House of Delegates, as well as Chair of the CWEA Budget & Finance committee, Vice-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, and member of the Collection Systems, Awards, and Sponsorship Committees.