EASEN Easen International

Team of Experts

Ping Zhuang

Managing Director

Dr. Ping Zhuang has been working for more than 28 years in the fields of urban development, water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, groundwater and soil remediation, energy efficiency as well as many other related infrastructure projects, from research, investment planning (fund raising), and feasibility studies to project development, financing, implementation, and operation/maintenance. Furthermore, Dr. Zhuang has served as a team leader or as a staff consultant for many of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) financed projects in Asia particularly in China and Mongolia. Dr. Zhuang has been involved in China and in Mongolia since 1998 for more than 20 large and multi-sectored infrastructure projects with each project loan ranging from 100 to 200 million USD, mostly financed by the World Bank, the ADB, and other sources. Dr. Zhuang is a US citizen and was one of the fifteen experts awarded the title of “Outstanding Foreign Expert” in Hubei Province in the year 2000. As a result of local government recognition of his valuable contribution to the infrastructure development in Hubei Province, he has been granted the esteemed permanent resident status in China. Dr. Zhuang also worked in the Unites States for many challenging engineering projects as Project Manager and as a licensed US Professional Engineer (P.E.). While he was working in Charlotte, North Carolina, he worked on many industrial wastewater treatment projects and resolved environmental compliance issues for many industrial clients. Before focusing on projects in China in 1998, he was also the city engineer of Cocoa Beach, Florida in USA in charge of many infrastructure improvement and urban development projects for the coastal city. In the US, Dr. Zhuang has published and/or presented more than 20 papers on the international level of professional journals. Currently, Dr. Zhuang is the Managing Director of Easen International Co, Ltd., a US registered international consulting and engineering firm, and one of the Founding Members/Board of Directors for the US based International Fund for China’s Environment. Further details can be found at www.easen-group.com and www.ifce.org, respectively. Dr. Zhuang has a Ph.D in Civil/Environmental Engineering from the United States; a B.S in Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering, and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from P.R. China. He also attended an E-MBA program in Charlotte NC, USA. Dr. Zhuang also served as an adjunct professor in several universities and reputable research institutes in China.
John Kouba

International Adviser

John Kouba has started Kouba Environmental, an engineering consulting and design firm in West Allis, Wisconsin. John has more than 30 years of engineering experience with projects throughout the USA as well as internationally. His primary experience is in Wastewater Processes, and he also has experience in Runoff Modeling and Management, Hazardous and Mixed Waste Management and Permitting, and Infrastructure Design (roads, sewers, and water distribution). He has also been involved in numerous Dairy and Food Wastewater Projects, such as dairy plants, breweries, slaughter houses, and prepared food facilities. Although familiar with the overall management of various projects, Mr. Kouba is still involved in the detail design of many projects, especially the process design portions, such as process flow diagrams, P&IDs, and layout. John has a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed the coursework towards a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is registered as a professional engineer in ten states, and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works Association, and the Water Environment Federation.
Kunping Zhou

Deputy Director

Mr. Kunping Zhou is a well experienced Project Manager working for international standard development projects in the PRC. Over the years Mr. Zhou -who completed part of his studies abroad and is fluent in English- has gained extensive experience focusing on the Environmental, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building aspects of Water/Wastewater Treatment and Infrastructure Development projects funded by international and multilateral organizations in China (World Bank, ADB, USTDA, among others). With over 15 years of professional experience in Project Management and Implementation, Procurement Management and Operations, Municipal Infrastructures, and Environmental Management, Mr. Zhou is very familiar with Procedures and Policies relevant for projects financed by the World Bank and the ADB, among other International Funding Organizations. Mr. Zhou has actively participated in the successful completion of several development projects in China. Some of his most relevant work experience includes: Procurement and Environmental Specialist for the ADB PPTA Wuhan Urban Environment Improvement Project, Project Engineer for the World Bank financed Hubei Urban Environment Project (HUEP), Environmental Specialist for the ADB Loan Xinjiang Municipal Infrastructure and Environmental Improvement Project, Procurement and Contracts Management Specialist for the ADB Loan Songhua River Basin Water Pollution Control and Management Project, and Deputy Team Leader/ Procurement Specialist for the ADB Loan Hefei Urban Environment Improvement Project, ADB Loan Wuhan Wastewater Management Project, ADB Loan Wuhan Wastewater and Stormwater Management Project, and WB Loan Wuhan Wastewater Management Project. Currently, Mr. Zhou is the Manager of Consulting Services at Easen International Co, Ltd., a U.S. registered International Consulting and Engineering Firm, and a member of the Project Management Professional (PMP) Organization in Project Management Institute (PMI), USA. Further details can be found at www.easen-group.com.
Parker Li

Manager of Engineering

Mr. Peng Li is a well experienced Water Engineer and Clean Production Audit Engineer with extensive background in project management. While working for Development projects in China, Mr. Li has achieved the Certificates of National Registered Construction Engineer and National Registered Consulting Enginner. Over the years Mr. Li -who received training in domestic design institute and abroad, and is also fluent in English- has gained extensive experience in Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning of Water/Wastewater Treatment and Infrastructure Development projects funded by international and multilateral organizations (World Bank, ADB, USTDA, among others) in China. Mr. Li relies on more than 10 years of experience working in the fields of Engineering, Construction and Procurement management, Project management, Water supply and Wastewater engineering, Environmental engineering, business development, fund raising and project financing, and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) assessments. In addition to his technical strength, Mr. Li has proven to be highly efficient in developing and managing projects with successful delivery on behalf of the client. Mr. Li has served in many complex infrastructure projects for both the public sector and private enterprises. During his time in the development sector Mr. Li has actively participated in the successful completion of several development projects in China. Some of his most relevant working experience include: Chief designer for Jiangyin Leachate Treatment Project, Chief designer for Changzhou Leachate Treatment Project, Project Director for Kohler Zibo WWTP EPC Project, Project Implementation Manager for Huangshi Leachate Treatment EPC Project, Project Manager for Jinmao Tower WWTP EPC Project, Commissioning Engineer for Chuzhou Brewery Factory WWTP EPC Project, Project Engineer & Designer for Hangzhou Wild Zoo WWTP EPC Project, Project Manager for Yizheng Harbor WWTP Project, and Project Manager for Huzhou Leachate Treatment Project. Currently, Mr. Li is the Deputy Manager of the Engineering Department at Easen International Co, Ltd. Further details can be found at www.easen-group.com.
Josh Li

Deputy G.M.

Mr. Josh Li (Li Wenhua) has over 20 years of experience in the project management of environmental protection and urban municipal construction projects in the areas of water supply, wastewater treatment, city infrastructure development, construction management, solid waste treatment, wetland protection, river pollution control, and city central heating. He is an expert in the project development, organization, procedures, and implementation of projects funded by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) among other international financial organizations. Mr. Josh Li has a strong professional background as an engineer and senior project manager. He worked for ten years at the Municipal Design Institute in Shanghai and for many years in Canada, South Africa, and Hong Kong where he has been involved in and was responsible for the design, design review, and replacement of imported environmental protection equipment as well as equipment procurement, civil construction projects, and World Bank/ADB Loan project consulting management. Mr. Li can independently manage the entire project implementation and operation from beginning to end. In addition to this, he has strong external organization and communication skills. Currently, Mr. Li is involved in the following projects: ADB Loan 2494-PRC: Qingdao Water Resources and Wetland Protection Project Deputy Head and Procurement Specialist World Bank Loan 7693-CN: Guizhou Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection and Development Project Procurement Specialist World Bank Loan-7849: Ningbo New Countryside Development Project - Implementation of the Capacity Building and Implementation Support for Chunhu Town Infrastructure Development Component Project Manager ADB Loan 2606-PRC: Shanxi Small Cities and Towns Development Demonstration Sector Project Deputy Head and Procurement Specialist Mr. Li is the Vice Minister of Consulting Services at Easen International - a US-registered Engineering, Consulting and Investment company.
Spyros G. Pavlostathis

Professor of Environmental Engineering

Dr. Pavlostathis is recognized for his expertise in the areas of Environmental Biotechnology and Bioprocesses for bioremediation of contaminated natural systems and treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater, as well as kinetics and modeling of bioprocesses. His research also includes bioenergy and biofuels; bioavailability, fate and biotransformation of recalcitrant organic compounds; biotransformation of emerging environmental contaminants; disinfectant-induced antibiotic resistance; development of halophilic and thermophilic microbial processes, as well as microbial fuel cell technology. Dr. Pavlostathis has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and authored over 150 publications including books or book chapters. Dr. Pavlostathis has organized or chaired over 30 conferences and conference sessions and frequently serves as a consultant, invited speaker and panelist on behalf of city, county, state and federal agencies in the US and abroad. An active member of several professional organizations, Dr. Pavlostathis has served on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Environmental Engineering, Water Science & Technology (Guest Editor), Biotechnology Letters, Journal of Hazardous Materials, and Water Environment Research (WER). Dr. Pavlostathis is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships including the Greek National Scholarship Foundation, French Government Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship, Kassimati Foundation Scholarship, Chi Epsilon (National Civil Engineering Honor Society), Dutch National Science Foundation Fellowship, Water Environment Federation Charter Member, Recruiters Recognition Club, Water Environment Federation/Georgia Water & Pollution Control Association Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award, Georgia Institute of Technology/School of Civil & Environmental Engineering Best Paper Award, Georgia Institute of Technology/School of Civil & Environmental Engineering Sustained Research Award for Excellence in Environmental Research and Archival Publications, Visiting Scholar Fellowship at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK, and Marie Curie Visiting Senior Research Fellowship at the National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. He was recently named Fellow by the International Water Association (IWA). Dr. Pavlostathis completed his MS and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA after obtaining his Diploma in Agricultural Engineering at the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece. He is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEEM) of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and an Engineer-in-Training (EIT; New York State).