People | Faces of the sector
Tracking the people driving change in the hydro industry, from new board appointments to career milestones
Schnabel Engineering strengthens leadership with CFO and hydropower appointments
Schnabel Engineering has announced two senior appointments aimed at reinforcing its financial leadership and expanding its hydropower capabilities, signaling continued growth for the US-based engineering consultancy. The firm has named Robert “Bob” Gatelein as Chief Financial Officer, bringing nearly three decades of financial and accounting experience to the role. Based at the company’s headquarters in Glen Allen, Virginia, Gatelein will oversee the firm’s finance and accounting functions as it continues to scale its operations. Gatelein’s background includes 18 years in financial leadership positions within engineering and professional services firms, spanning private equity-backed, employee- owned, and publicly traded organisations. He also spent a decade in public accounting, working with both local and national firms. His breadth of experience across ownership structures is expected to provide Schnabel with a strong strategic perspective on financial performance and growth.
A certified public accountant in New
Jersey, Gatelein holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from The College of New Jersey and is a member of the New Jersey Society of CPAs. The company noted his collaborative approach and ability to align financial strategy with operational goals as key strengths he brings to the leadership team. In a parallel move, Schnabel has appointed
Andrew Breighner as Hydropower Generation Practice Lead, marking an expansion of its services into powerhouse equipment engineering for hydropower clients. Breighner brings more than 13 years of specialised mechanical engineering experience focused on hydropower stations and equipment. He began his career with an original equipment manufacturer, supporting both new-build and rehabilitation projects, and most recently worked in a consulting role delivering CAPEX planning, condition assessments, and owner’s engineer services for hydropower facilities across North America. In his new role, Breighner will lead the development of Schnabel’s hydropower generation services, including capabilities in condition assessment, life extension, efficiency optimisation, environmental upgrades, and
8 | May 2026 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
overhaul support. The company said his appointment will significantly enhance its ability to deliver integrated solutions to hydropower
clients.Breighner holds a mechanical engineering degree from Messiah University and is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania.
ACE appoints Milda Manomaityte as Chief Executive Officer
The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has announced the appointment of Milda Manomaityte as its new Chief Executive Officer. Manomaityte succeeds Kate Jennings,
who stepped down from the role on 5 March 2026, following two years as Chief Executive Officer. Jennings has led ACE through a period of positive change, strengthening the organisation’s internal team and significantly enhancing its political engagement and profile. Kate Jennings said: “It has been a pleasure
to lead ACE Group through such an important period. Our members are key strategic partners for Government and infrastructure clients. Their advice and insight are essential to delivering the Infrastructure and Industrial Strategies. ACE Group has grown in strength with a new leadership team who will continue to work with Milda on delivering for members and championing infrastructure. I wish Milda every success in this important role.”
Commenting on her appointment, Milda Manomaityte said: “I am delighted to be joining ACE Group at such an important moment for the sector. I look forward to delivering the three-year business plan, while building on ACE’s strong foundations to ensure it continues to be a trusted, influential voice for the future of infrastructure.” Manomaityte joins ACE with extensive
experience in trade association leadership, policy engagement and organisational transformation. She has spent the past seven years at the Railway Industry Association (RIA), holding a number of senior roles across the organisation, including Innovation Director and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer. In these positions, she led major programmes focused on innovation adoption, digital transformation, member engagement and operational resilience, while also playing a central role in strengthening RIA’s influence with government and industry partners.
Prior to RIA, she was a founding director of the Global AirRail Alliance (GARA), a membership organisation representing rail access to airports. This role helped shape her early career at the intersection of transport policy, infrastructure planning and collaborative industry leadership. Her appointment marks a gear change for
ACE group, combining continuity with an exciting, forward-looking approach. Building on a strong existing platform and working closely with the leadership team, Manomaityte will put members at the centre of delivery, driving the agreed strategy and maximising impact across an evolving political, economic and infrastructure landscape.
KCB President and CEO Fellow of The Engineering Institute of Canada (FEIC)
KCB has announced that its President and CEO, Ryan Douglas, has been awarded the prestigious title of Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada (FEIC), one of the highest honours in the Canadian engineering profession. The FEIC designation recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to engineering in Canada. Since assuming the role of President and CEO in January 2022, Douglas has overseen a period of significant growth and increasing international recognition for KCB. Under his leadership, the firm has sharpened its strategic focus on client service, talent development, and global expansion, positioning itself as a key player in the water power and infrastructure sectors. Douglas brings decades of experience in dam and hydroelectric development, with involvement in major projects across North America and internationally. He currently leads the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade Project and has contributed to the Site C Clean Energy Project. His portfolio also includes work on hydroelectric developments for Columbia Power Corporation, including Arrow Lakes, Waneta, and Brilliant. Internationally, Douglas has held senior roles
on landmark projects such as the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project in Laos, where he served as Design Manager, and the Snoqualmie Falls Redevelopment in Washington State, USA, where he acted as project manager. His experience also extends to Southeast Asia, including work on the Balambano Hydroelectric Project in Indonesia.
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