RESPEC Appoints Dr. Russell Persyn as Chief Operating Officer and Welcomes Ed Rectenwald as Senior Vice President of Water

RESPEC has announced two leadership appointments to strengthen its operations and position the company for continued growth across its markets and regions. Dr. Russell Persyn has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Ed Rectenwald has joined RESPEC as the new Senior Vice President (SVP) of Water. 

Dr. Russell Persyn Promoted to Chief Operating Officer 

Russell Persyn has been with RESPEC since 2015 and most recently served as SVP of Water & Natural Resources (now RESPEC’s Water market). In his new role as COO, Russell will focus on streamlining operations, improving coordination across teams, and ensuring RESPEC is structured to meet the growing client demand throughout North America. 

With more than 25 years of leadership experience, Russell has a track record of building strong teams, scaling operations, and creating systems that help people perform their best work. His focus on collaboration, accountability, and clarity has shaped RESPEC’s growth in Texas and will now guide company-wide operations. 

“What drives me in this role is helping our teams work better together,” said Russell. “As we grow, it’s important that we stay connected, remove roadblocks, and give people the tools and support they need to keep doing great work. That’s how we deliver for our clients and for each other.” 

Ed Rectenwald Joins as Senior Vice President of Water 

Ed Rectenwald brings more than 2 decades of experience in hydrogeology and water infrastructure. He joins RESPEC from a national consulting firm, where he led large-scale water supply and injection well projects across the country, including high-profile work in Miami-Dade County, Florida.  

Based in Florida, Ed will lead RESPEC’s Water division across all regions, focusing on team development, operational integration, and cross-sector collaboration. He has worked closely with RESPEC over the past several years and brings a deep understanding of the company’s culture, values, and vision for the future. 

“Joining RESPEC felt like a natural next step,” Ed stated. “After working with the team over the past few years, I saw how closely our values, culture, and vision aligned. This role gives me the opportunity to unify our efforts, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and support RESPEC’s next phase of growth.” 

Looking Ahead 

Naming Russell as COO and adding Ed as SVP of Water are steps toward making RESPEC further connected, more coordinated, and better equipped to support its teams and clients as the company grows. Together, they bring the experience and focus needed to improve how teams work across regions, support integrated services, and position RESPEC for long-term growth throughout all markets. 

“These leadership transitions position RESPEC for what’s ahead,” said Jason Love, RESPEC CEO and President. “Russell and Ed bring different strengths, but they share the qualities we value most: passion for the work, accountability to their teams, and a commitment to building strong, collaborative relationships. Their leadership will help us grow while staying true to who we are.”