The European Irrigation Association (EIA) elected Damir Čizmek as its new President at the recent EIA General Assembly in Lyon on 4 December. As owner of the irrigation distribution firm IN-AQUA in Croatia, Damir Cizmek has a wealth of experience with 20 years of activity in the irrigation industry and over 10 years of involvement in the EIA including several EIA training sessions and irrigation forums over the years. Further, the EIA elected three Vice Presidents, each representing key strategic priorities of the irrigation industry: Agriculture, Turf and Education.
EIA Board member Michel Histel, is elected as VP for Agriculture, whereas past EIA President Carlo Fontana is now VP for Turf/ Landscape/ Sport/ Golf. Pierre-Alain Madelaine, President of the French association SYNAA is welcomed as VP for Education matters into the fold. SYNAA has vast experience providing targeted training measures at national level which should help the EIA develop their educational and vocational training activities further. In addition to these three new positions, EIA can rely on its Communication Office established in Montpellier since June, to support the association activities.
Mr Cizmek said: “Truly professional irrigation is no mean feat: It requires a multidisciplinary understanding of water engineering, irrigation design and management, including control systems, communications and turf & landscape management practices. I’m pleased by the EIA’s decision to put in place adequate resources and support with our new Vice-Presidency to tackle this challenge.”
