Water Infrastructure Expert and Former EPA Leader Wendi Wilkes Joins Banner Public Affairs as Senior Vice President

Wilkes to serve as Chief of Staff for firm's Water Practice, expanding leadership in infrastructure advocacy

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Banner Public Affairs (Banner) today announced that Wendi Wilkes has joined the firm as Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Chief of Staff of Banner's growing Water Practice. Wilkes brings an extensive background in environmental policy, regulatory affairs and water infrastructure implementation, further solidifying Banner's leadership in the infrastructure sector.

Wilkes joins Banner from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where she most recently served as the Director of Infrastructure Implementation for the Office of Water. In this role, she was instrumental in advancing President Biden's $50 billion water infrastructure investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, partnering with states and communities to deliver cleaner, safer and more reliable water systems nationwide.

Prior to her tenure at EPA, Wilkes served as the Manager of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. There, she developed policy positions on legislative and regulatory issues impacting state agencies and public water systems and tracked critical legislative developments affecting the water sector.

"Wendi has an outstanding record of transforming complex water infrastructure challenges into tangible results for communities, driven by her strategic mindset and collaborative spirit," said Banner Partner and Chair of the firm's Water Practice, Mae Stevens. "Her breadth of experience, deep policy expertise and inclusive leadership style make her an exceptional asset to our team and our clients. We couldn't be more excited to have someone of Wendi's caliber and integrity helping to guide our Water Practice to new heights."

Wilkes joins the firm's dedicated teams of government relations, public relations, digital and creative strategies and will support clients from Banner's Washington, D.C. headquarters. To learn more about Banner's offerings, please visit www.bannerpublicaffairs.com.

About Banner Public Affairs
Banner Public Affairs executes winning strategies to achieve the unexpected and avoid the predictable. Our bipartisan team of experienced lobbying, public relations, and digital professionals provides best-in-class counsel and executes long-term growth strategies with a short-term hustle, problem-solving mindset. With a track record of victories, Banner is a natural and sought-after partner for the big moments. Banner is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and with offices in St. Louis, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

SOURCE Banner Public Affairs