People

PG&E Senior VP and Chief Nuclear Officer to Retire

Edward D. Halpin, Senior Vice President, Generation and Chief Nuclear Officer of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and a 35-year veteran of the energy industry, has announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2017. “Ed has done an outstanding job leading our nuclear and power generation operat..

Frontier Communications Makes Leadership Change

Frontier Communications Corporation today announced that John Maduri, a telecommunications expert with 30 years in the industry, has been named to the position of Executive Vice President, Consumer Sales, Marketing & Product. Maduri will join the company on July 24 and succeed Cecilia McKenney, who ..

Michigan Health Chief Charged in Flint Water Crisis Probe

Five people, including the head of Michigan’s health department, were charged Wednesday with involuntary manslaughter in an investigation of Flint’s lead-contaminated water, all blamed in the death of an 85-year-old man who had Legionnaires’ disease. Nick Lyon is the highest-ranking member of Repub..

New Mexico Utility Executive Elected to Lead Industry Group

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A national association that represents investor-owned electric companies has elected its first woman to serve as chairman of the board. The Edison Electric Institute announced the election of Pat Vincent-Collawn on Tuesday during its annual convention in Boston. Vincent-Col..

Patriot Environmental Services Appoints New CEO

Patriot Environmental Services has appointed Brian Johnson as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2017. Johnson has over two decades of experience in leading strategic growth plans and tactical process improvements for multi-state/multi-unit service companies in a number of operationally int..

Water Research Foundation Announces Award Winners

The Water Research Foundation has awarded the 2017 Dr. Pankaj Parekh Research Innovation Award to Stuart Krasner from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and two Outstanding Subscriber Awards for Applied Research to the City of Calgary and Tarrant Regional Water District. Krasner ..

Global Water Resources Makes Leadership Changes

Global Water Resources, Inc. today announced the following leadership changes: Jeff Risenmay has been promoted to vice president, in addition to his role as controller Risenmay has served as Global Water’s controller since January 2014 and has more than 12 years of accounting experience, inclu..

Artesian Resources Corporation Announces Leadership Change

Artesian Resources Corporation has appointed Joseph A. DiNunzio as President of Artesian Water Maryland, Inc. DiNunzio has served as Executive Vice President and Secretary of Artesian Resources Corporation since 2007. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Secretary and Vice President a..

Ex-Regulator Pleads Not Guilty in Influence-peddling Case

PHOENIX (AP) — A former elected Arizona utility regulator pleaded not guilty Wednesday to bribery and fraud charges accusing him of accepting thousands of dollars in payments from a water company owner in exchange for favorable treatment in a rate case. Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary ..

Former Utility Regulator to be Arraigned on Bribery Charge

PHOENIX (AP) – Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce is scheduled to be arraigned on bribery and fraud charges in what prosecutors say was a scheme to accept payments from a water company owner in exchange for favorable treatment in a utility rate case. Arraignments also are scheduled..

Former Arizona Utility Regulator Indicted on Bribery Charges

PHOENIX (AP) — A former Arizona utility regulator has been indicted on bribery and fraud charges in what prosecutors said was a scheme to funnel $31,000 in payments to him and arrange his purchase of a $350,000 property in exchange for favorable votes for a utility. Former Corporation Commissioner ..

Blackeagle Energy Services Names New Regional Directors

Blackeagle Energy Services today announced that Gene Hallman and Armando Ferri have joined the company’s leadership team. Hallman will serve as the company’s south region director and Ferri will serve as the director for the east region. Hallman and Ferri each has more than 20 years experience ..

2017 National Public Works Week Celebrates How Public Works Connects Us

In conjunction with the American Public Works Association, this week from May 21-27, municipalities throughout the U.S. and Canada are celebrating National Public Works Week to honor public works professionals who plan, design, build, manage and operate the infrastructure that ensures a higher q..

GridLiance Hires Utility Industry Veteran as VP of Corporate Development

GridLiance, the nation’s first independent transmission company primarily focused on working with Public Power, has named utility-industry veteran Kevin Donnelly as vice president of Corporate Development. Donnelly joins GridLiance with more than 20 years of utility industry experience, including i..

PSE&G CEO Calls for Regulatory Changes in New Jersey

Ralph Izzo, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Public Service Enterprise Group, today called for a set of regulatory reforms in New Jersey that would establish financial incentives for utilities to help their customers reduce at-home energy use, as well as expand access to renewable ..

APWA Honors Top 10 Public Works Professionals

The American Public Works Association earlier this month announced the 2017 Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year. APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Leaders are recognized for the career service achievements of public works professionals. This year marks the 57th anniversary of the Top Ten Leader..

MasTec Announces Passing of Board Member

MasTec, Inc. today announced that John Van Heuvelen, an independent member of the Company’s Board of Directors, has passed away after a brief illness.  Van Heuvelen was appointed to the Board in 2002 and served as MasTec’s lead independent director of the Board for several years. “John has been..

Illinois American Water Announces Changes in Southern Illinois Leadership Team

Illinois American Water has promoted Karen Cooper to senior manager of field services and production for the company’s Southern Division serving the Metro East, Alton, Cairo and Hardin County service areas. Cooper, who previously served as operations superintendent for the Alton District service ar..

California American Water Has New VP of Operations

American Water recently announced it has named Garry Hofer the Vice President of Operations of California American Water, effective immediately. Hofer replaces Rich Svindland, who was named the President of California American Water last February. As the vice president for Operations, Hofer will no..

Entergy Names Rod West as Utility Group President

Entergy Corporation has named Rod West group president, utility operations, effective July 1.  West succeeds Theo Bunting, who is retiring from the company after 34 years of service. West will be responsible for the operational and financial performance of the regulated utilities, including ele..

Aqua America Promotes Two to Vice President

Aqua America, Inc. announced today that Bill Jerdon and Bill Packer have each been promoted to vice president. “Under their leadership, both Bill Jerdon and Bill Packer have contributed to Aqua’s solid financial reputation, which ensures our continued ability to provide safe and reliable service to..

CMS Energy and Consumers Energy CFO to Retire, Successor Named

CMS Energy and Consumers Energy Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Thomas (Tom) J. Webb has been reassigned to the position of Vice Chairman and will retire, effective Nov. 1, 2017. Webb served in the CFO role since joining the company in 2002. For the past 15 years, he helped..

FERC Member Won't Pursue Another Term

WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the two remaining members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says she will not seek a second term, a move that could leave the five-member panel with a single commissioner and further hobble its ability to make decisions. Democrat Colette Honorable said Friday ..

Hydro One Begins Search for New CFO

Hydro One Limited today announced that Michael Vels, Chief Financial Officer, will be leaving the company effective May 19, 2017 to assume the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Empire and its wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc. “We appreciate Michael’s many con..

NW Natural Hires New CFO

NW Natural has hired Frank Burkhartsmeyer to serve as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer, effective May 17, 2017. Burkhartsmeyer comes to NW Natural from Avangrid Renewables where he served as president and CEO. Previously, he was senior vice president of Finance at Iberdrola Renewables US. ..

Utility Worker Saves Man's Life

NEW YORK (AP) — A utility worker is being credited with saving a man who fell onto a New York City subway track just before a train pulled into the station. Cellphone video taken by a Seattle teenager shows Jonathan Kulig, of Queens, picking up a young man who had fallen off a Manhattan station’s p..

American Water VP to Discuss Water Infrastructure Financing

American Water today announced Jennifer Gambol, the company’s vice president and treasurer, will participate in the New York City Bar Association’s Project Finance Committee Panel on March 28 in New York, N.Y. Gambol will join other industry and government leaders on a panel to discuss the developm..

People In The News: March 2017

VacuWorx Vacuworx Global appointed Rob Verwilligen as European business director. Based in the Netherlands, he will manage sales and service, partner agreements and logistics for Vacuworx Europe. Verwilligen has more than 20 years of experience developing sales relationships in the European market..

ADS President to Retire This Year

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has announced that Joseph A. Chlapaty intends to retire as the company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board by the end of 2017. As part of the company’s succession plan, its Board of Directors has created a search committee and has hired rec..

Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association Names New President

The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association has selected Patrick J. Hogan as President, bringing national expertise in governmental affairs to an industry group whose members champion the safe delivery of water through reliable infrastructure systems. Hogan has served in senior positions for..