Nearly 175 Grundfos employees joined family, friends and corporate partners at the company’s annual Walk for Water events held in Kansas City, Mo., and Aurora, Ill. The walk increases awareness about the global water crisis and raises funds for safe, sustainable water solutions in developing countries.

At the midpoint of the 3.5-mile walk, participants filled 3-gal. buckets with water, simulating the burden of life in a developing nation. Since starting the event in 2012, Grundfos raised more than $200,000 for Water Missions International and provided thousands of people with daily access to safe water in Haiti and Uganda.

In other Grundfos news, the company added two members to its American municipal water utility business with the appointments of Thomas Morrison as vice president of service and Rob Montenegro as vice president of municipal sales.

Morrison will oversee the pump manufacturer’s service group across all business units and sectors, including commissioning, energy analysis/audit, service agreement and part specialists.

Montenegro will lead water utility sales – Morrison’s previous position – which includes a broad range of water supply and wastewater application solutions for municipal markets. Montenegro has more than 20 years of experience leading commercial teams in the U.S. municipal market.