McMillen has appointed Herman Wanningen as its European Market Lead, expanding the company’s presence in Europe and opening a second office in the Netherlands.
Wanningen, an ecologist and advocate for river connectivity and fish migration, is best known as the founder of World Fish Migration Day and the initiator of the Dam Removal Europe movement. Since its launch in 2014, World Fish Migration Day has grown into a global event promoting awareness of river conservation and migratory fish. His work on dam removal has helped bring attention to an estimated 150,000 obsolete dams across Europe that no longer serve a beneficial purpose or pose safety risks.
After years of raising awareness, Wanningen is shifting focus to direct action with McMillen. “Now that barrier removal is becoming an accepted river restoration tool in Europe, there is a big need for a specialized company that works European-wide and knows how to manage complex demolition projects,” he said.
Marissa Emmons, McMillen’s Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, welcomed Wanningen’s expertise. “I’m thrilled to welcome Herman to my team of thought leaders,” she said. “His expertise and understanding of the barrier removal landscape in Europe, combined with our technical skills in delivering these projects from start to finish, will be a powerful combination. Together, we’ll make a real difference in reconnecting rivers and improving public safety.”
McMillen is an engineering, construction management, and environmental firm specializing in dam, energy, fisheries, natural resources, and infrastructure projects. The company focuses on balancing environmental needs with community interests, offering services ranging from engineering and field studies to construction and stakeholder negotiations.
