Carl E. Adams, Jr.

Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 1969
M.S., Vanderbilt University, 1966
B.S., Vanderbilt University, 1965

Inducted, 2005

Carl Adams, Jr. (deceased) was considered one of the leading international experts on industrial wastewater management. He consulted on more than 900 U.S. and international projects in nearly 40 countries, and major clients have included GE Plastics, ExxonMobil, MarathonAshland, Olin Corporation, Monsanto, Solutia, DuPont, Huntsman Chemicals, Nova Chemicals, Formosa Chemicals and 3M.

After graduating with his Ph.D. from UT, Adams established Associated Water & Air Resources Engineers, Inc. (The AWARE Corporation), which eventually developed into the largest industrial wastewater management engineering organization in the United States. 

Years later, Adams and a small group of experts from AWARE founded the ADVENT Group, Inc., a firm that offers integrated industrial wastewater management services to industry. After ADVENT’s inception, he developed three patents involving advanced industrial wastewater treatment technologies. Forty-four of these patented systems are installed in 13 different countries.

Adams also authored over 100 technical publications and presentations and co-authored and edited four books and several engineering manuals regarding design and management. Professional activities included technical seminars and courses in the U.S., Europe, South America, Asia, the Middle East and Australia.

In addition, Adams served as a visiting adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University for the Application of Advanced Wastewater Technology. He also helped local community organizations fundraise millions of dollars and currently serves as principal of Ramboll Environ.