Leading Executives in Water Utilities
John C. Griffith
President & Chief Executive Officer, American Water Works Company (NYSE: AWK)
Became CEO on May 14, 2025 after serving as President and CFO; now leads the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the U.S., continuing American Water’s acquisitive growth and long-term capital plan focus.
bio | newsroom | LinkedIn (company)
Christopher H. Franklin
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG)
CEO since 2015 and Chair since 2017; led the portfolio-expanding acquisition of Peoples Natural Gas and is recognized for board diversity and sustained infrastructure investment.
bio | leadership | LinkedIn (company)
Martin A. Kropelnicki
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT)
Long-time CEO elevated to Chairman in 2023; known for regulatory expertise and industry leadership (past NAWC president) while driving workforce and customer programs.
bio | news | LinkedIn (company)
Andrew F. Walters
Chief Executive Officer, SJW Group (NYSE: SJW)
Former CFO appointed CEO effective July 1, 2025, succeeding Eric Thornburg; now leads one of the largest pure‑play investor‑owned water utilities across CA, TX, CT and ME.
press release | IR | LinkedIn (company)
Robert J. Sprowls
President & Chief Executive Officer, American States Water Company (NYSE: AWR)
CEO since 2009; oversees Golden State Water and a long record of dividend growth while expanding utility and military base water services.
officers | news | LinkedIn (company)
Nadine Leslie
Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX)
Veteran operator and former SUEZ North America CEO who became Middlesex CEO on March 1, 2024 and Board Chair in May 2025, steering customer service, compliance and growth.
leadership | press release | press release
Joseph “J.T.” Hand
President & Chief Executive Officer, The York Water Company (NASDAQ: YORW)
Career utility operator turned CEO since 2020; leads steady expansion, infrastructure renewal and community engagement at one of the nation’s longest‑tenured water utilities.
leadership | news | LinkedIn (company)
Ron L. Fleming
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Global Water Resources (NASDAQ: GWRS)
Chairman/CEO since 2015; recognized for growth and smart‑water management across fast‑growing Arizona communities.
leadership | board | LinkedIn (company)
John Elford
President & Chief Executive Officer, EPCOR Utilities (Canada/USA)
Became CEO on May 3, 2023; leading EPCOR’s North American water expansion and over $1B in annual capital investment, including major Texas projects supporting industry growth.
bio | news | LinkedIn (company)
Joe Gysel
President, EPCOR USA, EPCOR USA
Heads EPCOR’s U.S. water utilities serving 750k+ people across AZ, NM and TX; former NAWC president and a prominent voice on reuse and water resilience.
leadership | news | LinkedIn (company)
David L. Gadis
Chief Executive Officer & General Manager, DC Water (District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority)
CEO/GM since 2018; leads the $2.7B Clean Rivers tunnel program and national discussions on water equity and infrastructure resilience.
bio | news | LinkedIn (company)
Janisse Quiñones, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Engineer, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP)
Leads the nation’s largest municipal water-and-power utility as CEO & Chief Engineer, driving system reliability, safety and sustainability across L.A.’s water system.
bio | contact | LinkedIn (company)
Rohit T. Aggarwala
Commissioner, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)
City’s water/sewer commissioner overseeing the nation’s largest municipal water supply and wastewater system, with a mandate on climate resilience and capital delivery.
testimony/news | contact | LinkedIn (company)
Dennis J. Herrera
General Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Former SF City Attorney now manages water, power and sewer operations including the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, emphasizing climate and ratepayer protections.
bio | contact | LinkedIn (company)
Jay Fink
Director, Miami‑Dade Water & Sewer Department (WASD)
Appointed Director effective June 2, 2025; leads the largest water/sewer utility in the U.S. Southeast, focused on climate adaptation, meter modernization and system reliability.
bio | department | LinkedIn (county)
Estelle Brachlianoff
Chief Executive Officer, Veolia (EPA: VIE)
CEO since July 1, 2022; driving Veolia’s GreenUp plan and global growth across water, waste and energy, with major expansion in North America and hazardous waste treatment.
bio | company profile | press
Xavier Girre
Chief Executive Officer, SUEZ
Appointed CEO effective July 1, 2025; long‑time industry executive (EDF, La Poste, Veolia) and SUEZ board member tasked with accelerating growth in water and recycling services.
press release | governance update | LinkedIn (company)
Chris Weston
Chief Executive Officer, Thames Water
Joined as CEO in January 2024 to lead the turnaround of the UK’s largest water company, focusing on debt reduction, performance and a decade‑long transformation plan.
bio | news | LinkedIn (company)
Louise Beardmore
Chief Executive Officer, United Utilities
Promoted to CEO in March 2023; veteran leader driving service improvements and a multi‑billion pound investment program across North West England.
executive team | LinkedIn (company)
Liv Garfield CBE
Chief Executive Officer, Severn Trent (LSE: SVT)
One of the FTSE’s longest‑tenured water CEOs (since 2014); led Severn Trent to repeated top Environmental Performance Assessment ratings and sustained capex delivery.
leadership | news | LinkedIn (company)
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