PHILADELPHIA -- The National Association of Water Companies has named York Water Company President & CEO, JT Hand the Chair of its Small/Midsize Systems Committee.
The Small/Midsize Systems Committee is a forum for executives from NAWC member companies with smaller service territories to share best practices, develop collaborative solutions, and create a unified voice to advocate for their interests and priorities, both within NAWC and externally. The Committee works to tailor information, models and other resources from larger members to small/midsize members in an effort to bolster operations and otherwise assist in maintaining the private water sector’s track record of excellence. Hand will replace the Committee’s outgoing chair, Sherlock “Shockey” Gillet, Jr., the President of Peoples Water Service Company.
“At NAWC, member companies both large and small work and collaborate within the industry to promote safer and more reliable drinking water and wastewater systems,” said NAWC President and CEO Robert F. Powelson. “JT will help set priorities and direct the Small/Midsize Systems Committee to foster more innovation and collaboration in advancing our industry and driving solutions to address water challenges for systems of all sizes.”
Hand became the President & CEO of York Water Company on March 1, 2020 after serving as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since 2008. Prior to joining York Water, he served 22 years on active duty in the United States Army, retiring in 2006 from his position as Deputy Commander and Deputy District Engineer for the Baltimore District, US Army Corps of Engineers.
Mr. Hand holds an MBA from York College of Pennsylvania, a BS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont, is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute (Portuguese), and the Army’s Command and General Staff College. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal and Campaign Medals for service in Bosnia, Kosovo and Southwest Asia. In 2006, he was awarded the Silver de Fleury Medal for meritorious service to the United States Army Engineer Regiment.
In addition to serving on NAWC’s Board of Directors, he is the former Chairman of the York City Sewer Authority and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies. Mr. Hand is current Chair of the Children’s Home of York and President of the Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York County.
