Prior to May 29, 2026, will result in a 100% refund of registration fees. Cancellation on or after May 29, 2026 will be subject to the following refund schedule:

Up to 7 days after registration, if course has not been accessed 75% 7 days or later after registration 0%*

*A credit will be applied to a later program registration so long as it is within 1 year of the original date of registration.

The CPRO-W² designation is a comprehensive professional development experience with in-depth study guides, interactive risk management exercises and useful templates, expert commentary, and real-world case studies. Unlike generic Enterprise Risk Management programs, CPROW² is grounded in real utility conditions, aligning risk management with governance, capital planning, insurance strategy, and operational decision making.

The program content is intentionally laid out for you in a way that is intended to be quickly digested and immediately actionable. We have divided the series into three modules. Case studies and insights are included throughout to make each topic relatable. The program outline is:

Module 1: Enterprise Risk
Management Module 2: Water Treatment and Distribution OR Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment
Module 3: Insurance Essentials

*CPRO-W² candidates can choose between a drinking water-centric or wastewater-centric curriculum for Module 2.

Module 1, Enterprise Risk Management, introduces the fundamentals of ERM as a tool to align utility-wide risks with decision-making and organizational goals. Module 2 fast tracks operations competency with the streamlined technical essentials every risk manager should know about Water Treatment and Distribution and/or Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment. ​Module 3 dives deeply into the fundamentals of insurance and effective risk transfer.

If you need more information, please complete the Interest Form.

Completion Requirements and Certification
Candidates who complete the CPRO-W² course assignments and pass the exam are conferred the designation of Certified Public Risk Officer-Water & Wastewater from Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business and the American Association of Water Distribution and Management. The 50-question exam requires an 80% passing grade. A certificate will be mailed to you upon completion of the course.

Program Leader
Lorilee A. Medders, Ph.D.
meddersla@appstate.edu
(828) 262-6234

Dr. Lori Medders serves as the Joseph F. Freeman Distinguished Professor of Insurance (since August 2017) and as Chair of the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance (since July 2023) for the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University. She also served as Director of the Walker College of Business Honors program (2018-23). Prior to joining ASU, she was on faculty at Florida State University (risk and insurance, 2009-17), Georgia State University (risk and insurance, 1999-2008), and Georgia Southern University (finance and economics, 1994-98).

Ph.D. in Business Administration - Risk Management & Insurance, Georgia State University (1995)
M.S., Risk Management & Insurance, Georgia State University (1994)
B.S. in Commerce & Business, magna cum laude, University of Alabama (1990)

Dr. Medders serves on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Water Distribution and Management and chairs its Education Committee (2016-present). She also serves as Chair of the American Risk & Insurance Association's Risk & Insurance Teaching Society (2021-present), an international organization devoted to excellence in the teaching-learning of risk economics and related disciplines. Additionally, Lori is a past President and Board Member of the Southern Risk and Insurance Association (2011-17) that supports research on topics related to risk and insurance, as well as past Chair of the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology (2013-17) and its Statistics Expert Member (2009-17).

A business risk consultant for more than 25 years, Lori has direct work experience in investment advisory and financial analysis, climate risk adaptation and finance, risk modeling and decision analytics, critical infrastructure risk management (e.g., education, gas, local / regional government, power, telecommunications, water-wastewater), and enterprise risk management program planning and review.

The American Association of Water Distribution & Management (AAWD&M) is an
Internal Revenue Service sanctioned public charity with the express mission of
providing educational support to water-related entities throughout the United States.
AAWD&M regularly publishes white papers, video presentations, and audio briefs on
areas of interest, salience, and prevalence. Learn more at https://aawdm.org.

The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers
transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be
ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community,
both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences,
sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications
with industry. Enrolling approximately 3,000 undergraduates in 10 majors and 175
graduate students in three master's programs, the Walker College is accredited by AACSB International – the premier global accrediting body for schools of business.
Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State
University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand
and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The
Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in
inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion
and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge
Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina
System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty
ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors. Learn more
at https://appstate.edu.