Donald Panoz
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Don Panoz, a co-founder of HydroMentia, has influenced pharmaceutical drug development, wine making, professional sports car racing and more in the course of his career. His business ventures and community service roles have varied widely to encompass his diverse interests.
Whitfield M. Palmer, Jr.
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors
Whitfield M. Palmer, Jr., who co-founded HydroMentia with Don Panoz, currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors. As the company’s first president, he was instrumental in advancing HydroMentia’s groundbreaking water treatment technology during its crucial early years.
Walter Hamilton Adey, Ph.D
For more than two decades, Dr. Adey has been the leading researcher investigating the use of algal turf scrubbers for nutrient pollution control. In 1982, he was awarded Patent No. 4,333,263, which served as the foundation for algal turf scrubber technology.
J. Allison DeFoor, II D.Min.
Often described as a “Renaissance” guy, Dr. DeFoor is a well-known conservationist, businessman, Florida historian and seminary-trained lawyer. His leadership role in negotiating programs for Everglades restoration earned him the title of “Everglades Czar.”
Kenneth H. (Buddy) MacKay
Mr. MacKay served as Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida from 1990 through November 1998, and briefly as Governor following the untimely death of Governor Lawton Chiles. For over 10 years he served the State of Florida in the House of Representatives, was a member of the Florida State Senate and then was elected to the US House of Representatives.
William G. Sawyer
Mr. Sawyer provides direction and leadership as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. He is an innovative leader with over 20 years experience in marketing, executive-level management and strategic planning. Before joing HydroMentia, Mr. Sawyer served as a consultant and executive with various Panoz enterprises.
S. Randolph Simpson, III
Mr. Simpson is an independent financial consultant. He serves on the board of directors of BCI Engineers and Scientist, Inc. As Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FCS Holdings, he directed the sale of Florida Crushed Stone Company to CSR America.
Stephen W. Swindal
Mr. Swindal is currently Chairman of Marine Towing of Tampa, LLC, and former Senior Executive Officer of the New York Yankees. Mr. Swindal is co-owner and operator of Swindal International, LLC; a wholesale furniture importer and distributor.
Richard Vietor
Mr. Vietor and Don Panoz first worked together 22 years ago when Mr. Vietor was a top ranked investment research analyst specializing in large and emerging pharmaceutical companies. Currently he is President of R.R. Vietor, LLC, where he advises on corporate strategy, financing and communications issues.
Michael W. Wilkinson
Mr. Wilkinson, a Certified Public Accountant, has served as President and CEO of MFM Industries for more than twenty years. He is an active member of various business and financial boards, as well as being involved in several community organizations.
E. T. (Travis) York, Ph.D
Dr. York has had a distinguished career in agriculture education and has served on numerous boards of both non-profit and commercial ventures. In 2003, he was recognized by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture as one of the 60 U.S. citizens who have contributed most to the progress of agriculture in the Americas over the last 60 years.