Michael J. Landers

President

Michael serves as President of Global Water Technology, Inc., where he is responsible for directing the company’s business strategy, operations, and long-term growth. Having most recently served as Chief Operating Officer from 2020 to 2023, Michael has led significant, enterprise-wide transformation efforts to position GWT for sustained growth, profitability, and operational excellence. He is widely recognized for his collaborative leadership style, enthusiasm for team development, and commitment to fostering a strong, values-driven corporate culture.

As President, Michael oversees all strategic, financial, and operational activities of GWT, a privately held, independent organization with offices in South Holland, IL; Houston, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Fremont, CA; Menomonee Falls, WI; and Louisville, KY, and active operations in more than 40 states. His leadership focuses on client and employee engagement, customer service excellence, efficient and safe operations, and preserving the foundational principles established when GWT was founded in 1990.

Michael is a visionary leader with a rare combination of global experience, business acumen, transformation management expertise, and creative problem-solving across Fortune 100, entrepreneurial, and international environments. He has received numerous industry awards recognizing leadership, innovation, and mergers and acquisitions strategy and execution. Known for his focus on results and disciplined execution, Michael excels at motivating teams to embrace change while operating at the highest levels of performance.

Prior to joining Global Water Technology, Michael held senior executive roles with Sodexo, United Airlines, and JLL, where his work spanned facilities management, design, construction, and operations leadership. At JLL, he played a key leadership role in executing the acquisition of The Staubach Company. At United Airlines, he led the relocation of the corporate headquarters from Elk Grove Village to Chicago following the merger with Continental Airlines, a nearly $1 billion initiative encompassing more than 1.5 million square feet, including office space, a Network Operations Center, and a ground-up enterprise data center.

Michael earned his undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and is a LEED Accredited Professional. He serves as an active advisor at the city, state, and federal levels on environmentally responsible programs and initiatives. A frequent keynote speaker, Michael is widely regarded as a thought leader in design, construction, project management, and operations leadership. Above all, he is a proud husband and father of two boys, and brings those same values of integrity, commitment, and stewardship into his leadership at GWT.