WATERGATE ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM
Tiffani McCarthy
Chief Executive Officer
Tiffani McCarthy, a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, brings extensive experience in federal government operations, marketing, executive management, and community relations. With a career spanning both public and private sectors, Tiffani has developed a deep understanding of business operations, strategic planning, and customer relations. As the CEO of Watergate Environmental Technologies (WET), she oversees daily operations, drives business growth, and ensures the highest standards of client service. Her ability to build strong partnerships and lead diverse teams has been instrumental in WET’s success in delivering innovative and energy-efficient solutions for wastewater treatment.
Graham McCarthy
Chief Engineer and Innovator at Watergate Environmental Technologies (WET)
Graham holds a Master of Science (M.S.) in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Irvine. With extensive experience across wastewater treatment, co-generation systems, agricultural dehydration, and desalinization, Graham has been a driving force behind WET’s innovative solutions.
A respected leader in the field, he has cultivated strong relationships with wastewater resource recovery facility (WRRF) management, elected water board officials, and facility operators. Graham’s hands-on approach, combined with his expertise in advanced engineering systems, has enabled WET to deliver groundbreaking technologies like the TOGA system. Beyond his engineering role, Graham is a mentor and teacher, frequently working with facility staff to optimize operations, improve energy efficiency, and enhance environmental outcomes.
Amy Gardiner
Director of Business Development
With over 20 years of experience in real estate, business consulting, and negotiation strategy, Amy Gardiner brings a unique skill set to Watergate Environmental Technologies (WET). As Director of Business Development, she focuses on strategic growth, client relations, and partnership development. Her expertise in leading high-level negotiations and managing complex projects ensures that WET’s innovative solutions reach the right markets. Amy’s ability to build lasting relationships and identify new opportunities makes her a driving force in expanding WET’s reach and impact.
Steve Timko, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer
Steve Timko brings over a decade of experience in water and wastewater treatment research and engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Irvine, where his research focused on the breakdown of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in constructed treatment wetlands.
Steve previously served as a Water Quality Specialist at Kennedy Jenks Consultants, where he led multi-million-dollar projects addressing groundwater contaminants, including PFAS, VOCs, arsenic, iron, and manganese. His expertise spans the entire water industry, including water and wastewater treatment, potable reuse, and stormwater management. He has worked at every scale, from developing and testing new treatment technologies to guiding full-scale design of treatment facilities and large-scale basin planning studies.
At WET, Steve plays a key role in project management, scope development, and consulting on specialized projects. He collaborates with the engineering team to ensure the successful implementation of cutting-edge solutions, including the Telemetric Off-Gas Analysis (TOGA) system. His technical leadership and deep industry knowledge are critical to advancing WET’s mission of providing energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions for wastewater treatment.
Diego Rosso, Ph.D.
Advisor
Dr. Diego Rosso is a distinguished professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He serves as the Director of the Water-Energy Nexus Center and leads the Environmental Process Laboratory at UCI. Dr. Rosso holds degrees from the University of Padua (Laurea in Chemical Engineering, 2002) and the University of California, Los Angeles (M.S. Civil Engineering, 2003; Ph.D. Civil Engineering, 2005). He was also board-certified by eminence through the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.
Since 2000, Dr. Rosso has been at the forefront of research on aeration systems, focusing on optimizing energy efficiency and the water-energy-carbon nexus in water reclamation and reuse processes. He has collaborated extensively with wastewater treatment facilities, municipalities, and industry leaders, making significant contributions to aeration optimization through off-gas analysis and advanced process design.
Dr. Rosso is an active member of the International Water Association (IWA) United States National Committee and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Oxygen Transfer Committee, further solidifying his role as a global leader in wastewater process engineering and sustainability.
His expertise has been instrumental in the development of WET’s Telemetric Off-Gas Analysis (TOGA) system, enabling real-time monitoring and improved energy efficiency in wastewater treatment operations.
Dr. Rosso continues to provide valuable expertise in aeration optimization and energy management, contributing to WET’s mission of delivering sustainable and cost-effective solutions to wastewater treatment facilities.
