NAWC Names President, New Members to Board
The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) has named Charles Firlotte, president and chief executive officer of Aquarion Company, president of the NAWC board of directors.
Sandra C. Sullivan, vice president of Government & Industry Relations for Veolia Water North America, and Maureen P. Westbrook, vice president of Customer and Regulatory Affairs of Connecticut Water Company, were also named to the 2009–2010 NAWC board of directors.
“We thank Don Correll for his energetic and strategic leadership over the past year, and welcome new board President Charles Firlotte and new board members Sandra Sullivan and Maureen Westbrook,” said Michael Deane, executive director of NAWC. “Every day nearly one in four Americans receives their water from a privately owned water utility or a municipal utility operating under a public-private partnership. I know our board members will help NAWC continue to ensure that this life-giving resource is managed in the most efficient and forward-thinking manner possible.”
Firlotte, who was appointed president and chief executive officer of Aquarion Company in September 2003, assumes the presidency from Donald L. Correll, president and chief executive officer of American Water.
Firlotte joined Aquarion Water Company’s predecessor, Bridgeport Hydraulic Company (BHC), in 1987 as director of Human Resources and Administrative Services. He was elected a vice president in 1988 and in 1991, vice president of Aquarion Water’s parent, Aquarion Company. He later served the company as its senior vice president and chief operating officer. From 2000 to August 2003, Firlotte relocated to the U.K. as director of Yorkshire Water, for Aquarion’s former parent company, Kelda Group Inc. At Yorkshire Water, he was responsible for providing water and wastewater services to more than 4.7 million people and 140,000 businesses.
"Water resources management has never been more important to our nation and the global economy,“ said Firlotte. “I am thrilled to have been entrusted with this honor by my peers." Firlotte was also named president of the NAWC board of directors’ Executive Committee.
Sullivan is Veolia Water North America's key representative and liaison with groups and associations in the water sector. She also leads the sales and marketing efforts for the Northeast region that includes the six New England states and the State of New York. Sullivan has more than 30 years of professional experience, with more than 18 years of experience in the water industry.
In her position, Westbrook is responsible for all of Connecticut Water Company’s customer service programs, and the oversight of customer communications, public information and media relations. She interacts with state regulators and legislators on matters affecting the company and the water industry; oversees water resources and planning programs and is involved in regulatory permitting and compliance; and has held various positions in the company with responsibilities in the areas of source protection, water resource planning, regulatory compliance, human resources, information technology, purchasing and customer service.
NAWC represents all aspects of the private water service industry. The range of our members’ business includes ownership of regulated drinking water and wastewater utilities, and the many forms of public-private partnerships and management contract arrangements.