Draft:Moses A. West

Moses A. West

Moses A. West
Moses West with his hands in the water of his AWG800 unit. Moses West in Jackson, Mississippi.
Born	(1958-08-09) August 9, 1958 Columbus, Georgia
Education	Trinity University, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio College
Occupation(s)	Retired Captain (Promotable), U.S. Army Rangers; Philanthropist; Founder of AWG Contracting; Founder of The Moses West Foundation

Moses A. West (born August 9, 1958) is a retired promotable Captain of the U.S. Army Rangers, and philanthropist. He is the founder of AWG Contracting and the Moses West Foundation, organizations committed to harnessing innovative atmospheric water generation technology to provide clean and sustainable drinking water solutions to underserved communities.

Early life and education

West was born in Columbus, Georgia and moved to Germany at a young age in 1959, where he spent his early years until 1966. He was the eldest boy among 11 siblings in a bustling household. His father, Joe Edgar West, served in the army as a combat medical instructor and retired in 1978. His mother is Betty-Anne West. West attended Robert G. Cole High School before earning degrees in Public Administration and Human Relations from Trinity University, Incarnate Word College, and San Antonio College. He graduated in 1981 and joined the military as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Military career

West underwent training in Fort Benning, Georgia. In the summer of 1981, he attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC) and was selected to attend the Ranger Course. After 90 days, he passed and was assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment. He then attended airborne training which lasted for about a month. He was then assigned to the 2nd Armored Division, which has since been decommissioned.

In 1983, he attended flight school, passing the Aeroscout track and flew OH58 helicopters in combat. After graduation, he was sent to the 2nd Infantry Division in the DMZ area between North and South Korea. He served for a year in Korea in the DMZ.

On his return to the United States, he went to the OH58 Test Pilot School and graduated as a test pilot. From 1984 to 1985, he attended the Aviation Maintenance Officer Course and served in the 4th of the 7th Cavalry. He then transitioned into the CH47 cargo helicopter and attended the test pilot school for the CH-47.

From 1986 to 1988, he was stationed with the Big Windy 180th Aviation Company, 2nd Aviation Brigade, in Germany, where he served as the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Officer for the entire brigade. In 1988, he left Germany for the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

During the Gulf War in 1990, West was deployed with the 7th of the 101st. His company, Alpha Company, was the first to have Chinooks in the theater. They disassembled the entire helicopter and transported it via a Star Lifter. Once they made it across, they reassembled the entire Chinook.

After the Gulf War, West spent nine months in a hospital in Germany, due to an injury suffered during the war. He was in Germany during the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, witnessing the event as one of the few Americans to do so. After recovering from his injury, he returned to the United States and retired as Captain Moses A. West, promotable of the US Army Rangers.

Post-military career

After arriving back in the United States, West took an executive position at Walmart. His injuries from the war worsened and he retired from the military fully in 1996.

He then moved to Germany and Sweden. In late 1998, West returned to the United States for about two years, then left just days prior to September 11, 2001, for Australia. He learned about the 9/11 attacks while in Australia and stayed there until returning to the US in 2012.

Between 2001 and 2012, West traveled the globe five times. In 2012, he left Melbourne and moved to Maui, Hawaii, then to Oahu. It was there he met a neighbor who had a small, personal version of an atmospheric water generator, which inspired him to begin researching the capacity to produce large volumes of water from 2013 to 2014.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

West is the founder of The Moses West Foundation and AWG Contracting, companies that have developed innovative solutions to combat the global water crisis. Despite numerous challenges, including business adversities and project disruptions, West's relentless pursuit of his mission has resulted in remarkable success. His work has been recognized with several awards and honors.

Work with the Moses West Foundation

Founded by Moses West, The Moses West Foundation seeks to provide access to clean, safe drinking water to communities in need across the globe. Through the use of atmospheric water generators (AWGs), the Foundation has provided assistance in several regions and during numerous crises:

Education and Community Empowerment

The foundation's focus on sustainability and community empowerment has led to several educational initiatives:

• STEM Education: In collaboration with educational institutions, the foundation promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. This initiative aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to tackle global issues such as climate change and food security.

• Sustainable Greenhouse Farming: The foundation promotes sustainable agricultural practices through education and training programs. These efforts aim to improve soil health, reduce the use of harmful chemicals, and increase food security, aligning closely with the Foundation's broader mission to provide clean water.

• Community Education and Outreach: The Foundation is involved in community education and outreach to raise awareness about sustainability. These efforts equip individuals and communities with the tools and resources to become self-sufficient and environmentally responsible.

• Sustainable Curriculum for Academic Institutions: The Foundation provides consulting services to academic institutions looking to incorporate sustainability into their curricula. The Foundation works with faculty members to develop curricula tailored to the specific needs and goals of the institution, preparing students to become leaders in sustainability.

Efforts in Flint, Michigan

In response to the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan, Moses West undertook a unique initiative by transporting an Atmospheric Water Generator from Texas to Flint. This sophisticated machine, capable of filtering and rapidly producing clean drinking water, served as an invaluable resource to the community, eliminating the need for waiting on fresh water supplies.

However, the machine suffered an unfortunate incident of vandalism. Essential components, such as the on-board generator, were damaged, and the machine's coolant was released while the frequency on an inverter was tampered with. These circumstances necessitated the discharge of over 500 gallons of water from the machine for safety reasons. Despite the setback, the resilience of the Flint community shone through as locals assisted West in repairing the generator. Reflecting on the incident, West affirmed, "Nothing frustrates me. It's only an opportunity to do better. No problems, only opportunities."

During this period, West faced a challenging legal dispute with his former business partner, John Volmer. The dispute, centered on business matters, resulted in a prolonged legal stalemate that inhibited the operation of West's water system in Flint. Nonetheless, as stated during the Vision 8291 Speaking Panel "Water Is A Right" invited by DAWA and SXSW2023, West remains committed to Flint. He eagerly anticipates the deployment of next-generation units to replace the initial ones, indicating an unwavering dedication to addressing Flint's water crisis.

Efforts in Puerto Rico

In 2017, in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Moses West turned his attention to Puerto Rico. He founded the Water Rescue Foundation to raise funds and deployed his patented technology to the hurricane-stricken island. Working alongside the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), West was able to provide fresh water to Puerto Rican residents using his atmospheric water generator.

His generator is designed to be energy efficient, and West further modified it to operate using solar panels. His technology synthesizes fresh water from air, a process that seemed so simple yet profoundly impactful, especially in disaster-stricken areas. West described the experience as a mission: "One man, one machine supplied an entire island with all their drinking water needs to prove that it could be done. Someone had to see this happen and stop just talking about it."

The energy efficiency of the machine was a key part of its innovation. Many atmospheric water generators require significant amounts of energy to operate. However, West's design met and exceeded the standards set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which require power consumption no higher than 0.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per liter. In tests, West's unit used only 0.08 kWh, and in Puerto Rico, it achieved an impressive 0.05 kWh.

The visible impact of his work was immediate and gratifying. West recounted, "You see people come to you and they’re physically sick, and then you give them water that you made, and then three, four five, days later their skin looks healthier – they look different."

In addition to these efforts, West continues to improve and refine the technology behind AWGs. His vision is to make AWGs more efficient, accessible, and affordable so that every community, regardless of its location or financial status, has access to clean, safe drinking water.

Achievements and Accolades

• Moses West Day: The city of Austin, Texas, honored West by declaring February 6th as Moses West Day in 2018.
• Emmy Award: His work in Puerto Rico, where he deployed his innovative water technology, was recognized with an Emmy Award through KVUE.
• US Vets Hall of Fame: In 2023, West was inducted into the US Vets Hall of Fame, an honor that recognizes his exceptional service both in and out of uniform.
• United Nations Appearance: West presented his innovative solutions at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, sharing his vision with representatives from 117 countries.
• Beloved Community Awards: West's contributions to the global water crisis were acknowledged by Dr. Bernice King.
• SDG Action #49191: In Partnership with School News Nationwide, a UN NGO pushing for clean water access for all by 2030, The Moses West Foundation was designated SDG Action 49191.

In addition to these accolades, West maintains influential relationships with global leaders and serves on the National Institute of Building Science's Council for Hazard Mitigation, demonstrating his commitment to creating sustainable solutions for global challenges.

Legacy

West's innovative technologies have provided clean drinking water to communities worldwide. His relentless dedication and resilience have impacted countless lives and inspired many to join his cause. Today, his legacy serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, ingenuity, and compassion.

Personal life

Moses West, born in Georgia, describes himself as a military brat. He spent his formative years in Houston, Texas, after living in Germany. He served as an Army Ranger for three years before attending flight school to pilot helicopters, including the Chinook. His military career was cut short by a combat injury. Undeterred, he travelled the globe, visiting Germany, Sweden, Australia, and eventually settling in Hawaii. It was during his time in Oahu that he had a revelation about atmospheric water generation, a turning point that would redirect his post-military career.