The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) announced the organization’s 2017-2018 board of directors at its annual Water Summit this week in Seattle, Washington.
Chris Franklin, president and Chief Executive Officer of Aqua America, Inc., has been elected president of the NAWC board of directors. Franklin replaces Martin Kropelnicki, president and Chief Executive Officer of California Water Service Group.
Franklin has served in several positions at Aqua America prior to becoming president and Chief Executive Officer, most recently serving as president and Chief Operating Officer, regulated operations. He also held executive roles in public affairs, customer operations and as regional president of the company’s southern and mid-western operations, where he managed eight states.
Franklin has led several successful projects for Aqua America, including advocacy for the passage of legislation designed to provide customers of state-regulated water and wastewater utilities with improved water quality and better water and wastewater systems while allowing a fair and reasonable return for shareholders. Franklin changed the name and rebranded the company and its subsidiaries, and expanded its investor relations outreach to increase analyst coverage of the company.
“We are honored to have Chris serve as our board president,” said Michael Deane, NAWC executive director. “Chris is a well-respected leader in the water industry. Our organization will benefit greatly during his tenure as we continue to serve as the voice of the private water industry.”
“We thank Marty Kropelnicki for his leadership and commitment to NAWC,” Deane added. “Marty and the entire board, some of the leading authorities in the water industry, helped strengthen our organization this past year. Their tireless service is essential to the role NAWC plays in moving the nation’s water forward.”
NAWC also welcomes the following new members to its 2017-18 board of directors:
Lawrence M. Morales, East Pasadena Water Company
Donald Morrissey, Aquarion Water Company
Along with returning members, these appointments comprise the full 2017-18 board of directors:
Christopher Franklin, Aqua America, Inc., President
Martin Kropelnicki, California Water Service Group, Immediate Past President
David Stanton, SUEZ North America, President-Elect
Andrew Gere, San Jose Water Company, Vice President
Sherlock Gillet, Peoples Water Service, At-Large Director
Lawrence M. Morales, East Pasadena Water Company, At-Large Director
Susan Suhanovsky, Torrington Water Company, At-Large Director
Stephane Bouvier, Severn Trent North America
Shawn Bradford, EPCOR Water USA
Dennis W. Doll, Middlesex Water Company
Jeffrey Hines, York Water Company
Patrick Kerr, Baton Rouge Water Company
Steve Lubertozzi, Utilities, Inc.
Michael Luu, California Water Service
Walter Lynch, American Water
Steve Meininger, CH2M
Donald Morrissey, Aquarion Water Company
Keavin Nelson, Veolia Water North America
Robert Nicholson, San Gabriel Valley Water Company
Christopher Schilling, SouthWest Water
David Smeltzer, Aqua America, Inc.
Robert Sprowls, American States Water Company
Nicholle Taylor, Artesian Water Company
Aldie Warnock, American Water
Maureen Westbrook, The Connecticut Water Company
NAWC announces its 2017–2018 Executive Committee:
President: Christopher Franklin, Aqua America, Inc
President-elect: David Stanton, SUEZ North America
Vice President: Andrew Gere, San Jose Water Company
Immediate Past President: Martin Kropelnicki, California Water Service Group
About the NAWC Water Summit
The NAWC Water Summit is the annual gathering of private water professionals hosted by the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC). The event provides a dynamic forum for government officials, leaders in the water industry and other key stakeholders to exchange ideas, learn from one another and share solutions that sustain businesses and communities. The 2017 NAWC Water Summit took place on October 15-17 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle, Washington.
