Thomas (TJ) Johnston
Chief Operations Officer
TJ draws on the leadership expertise and the relational development skills he has acquired as an environmental lawyer, Anglican Bishop and from a life spent leading non-profits. TJ’s leadership is focused on supporting organizations that serve those who live on the margins physically, socially, economically and spiritually.
Jeff Winkler
General Counsel, Vice President of Operations
Jeff serves as the general counsel and vice president of operations for the Global Water Center. For the last 30 years, Jeff has practiced business, real estate, contracts and intellectual property law (both privately and for a large corporation).
He has also shepherded joint corporate/university research projects at both MUSC and the University of South Carolina. He has accumulated a variety of business experiences as a property manager, landlord, contractor, startup entrepreneur of a 3D printing company, land developer and laundromat owner after starting his career as a research botanist studying water quality in North Carolina.
Jeff received a botany degree from Duke University and spends his free time equipping and encouraging today’s youth through his church’s men’s and backpacking ministry. Jeff aspires to continue exercising his varied skillset to help end the global water crisis.
Bernie Drackwicz
Chief Financial Officer
As chief financial officer, Bernie oversees all fiscal functions of The Global Water Center, including planning and implementing strategies to improve the overall operations and effectiveness of the organization.
Bernie worked for McGraw-Hill for 35 years, serving the majority of his career in key executive leadership roles. Upon moving to Charleston, South Carolina, Bernie taught accounting and business courses at Trident Technical College before becoming vice president of finance turned chief financial officer at Water Mission, a non-profit engineering ministry and Global Water Center’s founding organization.
Bernie earned a master’s degree in business administration and management from Southern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the College of New Jersey.
Board Members
George Greene III, PE, PhD
Co-Founder, Executive Chair Global Water Center
Co-Founder, Executive Chair Water Mission
Dr. Greene is the co-founder and executive chairman of Water Mission. He was the founder and CEO of General Engineering Laboratories, a full-service environmental company that combined analytical, engineering and hydrogeological consulting services to become one of the largest privately held environmental labs in the U.S.
He received his degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Florida (BS), Columbia University (MS), and Tulane University (Ph.D.). He was also awarded a Doctor of Public Service from Charleston Southern University. Dr. Greene is a licensed professional engineer in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. He and his late wife Molly were honored by Rotary District 7770 with the “Service Above Self” award and by Gov. Mark Sanford with the “Order of the Palmetto,” South Carolina’s highest civilian award. In 2022, Dr. Greene was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a business leader who continues to inspire others to take action joining the effort to end the global water crisis.
Dr. Greene oversees the strategic direction of the Global Water Center based on its founding vision to see 2 billion go to zero and is actively involved in strategic planning and the day-to-day development of Global Water Center initiatives.
George Greene IV, PE
CEO and President, Water Mission
Board Member
Mr. Greene is CEO and president of Water Mission in Charleston, South Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University and is a South Carolina-licensed professional engineer.
Mr. Greene’s responsibilities include strategic leadership of Water Mission’s global activities. His experience over the years includes time spent working on projects in Afghanistan, Belize, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka and Uganda.
Charlie Young
Rear Admiral (Ret), United States Navy
Board Member
A native of South Carolina, Admiral Young graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After receiving a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Delaware, he completed the Navy’s nuclear power training program. He served in the U.S. Navy for 36 years as a submariner and an acquisitional professional.
Following his Navy retirement in 2006, Admiral Young worked for Oceaneering’s Advanced Technologies Divisions as the VP for strategic business planning. Additionally, he has served as a director on several boards, including the Water Mission Board.
Charlie Young has been involved with Water Mission since 2014 – first as a volunteer in the ministry’s production facility, then as a member of the ministry’s board of directors, providing valuable strategic insights for Water Mission’s growth and direction.
Steve Vanderboom
Executive Chairman, Pace Analytical Services, LLC
Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Pace
Board Member
Steve Vanderboom is the founder and chairman emeritus at Pace.
Mr. Vanderboom founded Pace in 1978 and served as its CEO and president for 41 years before moving to the position of executive chairman in October 2019. He retired from Pace in May 2022.
Mr. Vanderboom possesses over 44 years of experience in the analytical services industry, providing leadership in environmental, pharmaceutical and medical device testing; product testing; field services; and environmental consulting.
Mr. Vanderboom received a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. In 2019, Mr. Vanderboom became the seventh person to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Environmental Business Journal and the first to receive it from the laboratory community. He also received the Fellow’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Council of Independent Laboratories in 2022.
Brett Hildebrand
Board Member
Brett Hildebrand is a founding member of One Community at A Time Initiative. Mr. Hildebrand works for IAG Capital Partners, a boutique investment firm based in Charleston. He is an active Water Mission Board member, serving on the ministry’s Finance and Audit committee as well as the Partnerships and Communication committees.
Mr. Hildebrand and his family have traveled extensively to visit Water Mission’s safe water projects in Central America and Africa.
Jim Loscheider
Board Member
Jim Loscheider has served Water Mission as a senior consultant and advisor and was a Water Mission board member for more than 10 years prior to joining the Global Water Center board.
Previously, Mr. Loscheider served with Samaritan’s Purse as vice president of Donor Ministries from 2000 to 2018. He held similar leadership positions in other ministries, including the Christian and Missionary Alliance and The Orchard Alliance, aiming to “invest in relationship building with people who wish to pursue the joy of generosity.”
Before his career in ministry launched, Mr. Loscheider attended St. Thomas College and received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Minnesota. He later graduated from the National Planned Giving Institute at The College of William and Mary in St. Williamsburg, VA.