The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) welcomed Phil Bastin as its new president during the association's annual conference held recently in Spokane, Wash. Bastin replaces Dennis Schwartz, who severed two terms as president.

Bastin has served as general manager of a multi-county water utility for 18 years and has spent 15 years as a member of the board of directors for the Indiana Rural Water Alliance, including service as president, vice president and secretary.

Since joining NRWA's board of directors 12 years ago, Bastin has served on numerous committees and acted as vice president and senior vice president. Additionally, he represented NRWA on the EPA "Health Care Providers" work group in 1999. Bastin has received the General Manager of the Year award in 1990 and the Bud Dale award in 1997 for services to the association.<