Press Releases

National Association of Water Companies Names Michael Deane
as Executive Director

Deputy Executive Director and Director of Strategic Development Assumes Association’s Primary Leadership Position

WASHINGTON – The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) Board of Directors today named Michael Deane executive director of the association. In this role, Deane will guide the strategic direction of the organization while overseeing all operations of the association and liaising with NAWC members. After decades of leadership in the water industry working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and private water companies, Deane recently joined NAWC as deputy executive director and director of strategic development. The announcement of Deane as executive director by the NAWC Board of Directors fills the position vacated by the late Peter Cook.

“Michael brings a wealth of knowledge from his years at EPA and also with private industry,” remarked Donald L. Correll, president and chief executive officer of American Water and president of the NAWC Board of Directors. “Our organization will benefit greatly under his leadership and I believe his expertise will not only keep us moving forward but forge new pathways to bring the best service to NAWC members and those we in turn serve.”

Deane has served in a variety of roles in the water industry throughout his career. He came to NAWC from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most recently serving as associate assistant administrator for water. In this position, Deane was a principal advisor to the EPA administrator and the assistant administrator for water on infrastructure financing matters. Deane also led the EPA’s effort to implement sustainable water management solutions, including water efficiency and green infrastructure initiatives. Deane was responsible for communicating EPA policies and positions to Congress, government agencies, trade and professional associations, private industry and various international organizations. Previously, Deane guided the EPA’s development of sustainable water infrastructure financing and management solutions as senior policy advisor for infrastructure finance. In addition to his previous two posts, Deane held positions in the U.S. EPA Office of Wastewater Management from 1988 to 1995.

“Our nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems are of vital importance to public health, the environment and the economic livelihood of our country,” said Michael Deane, incoming executive director of NAWC. “I look forward to working with NAWC’s members and staff to provide the leadership required to ensure sustainable, market-based solutions for communities as they seek to maintain and improve existing water and wastewater infrastructure, build new infrastructure, and meet new water quality standards.”

Deane spent four years as vice president of strategic development at United Water while also performing the role of vice president for U.S. public affairs strategy at United Water’s parent company, SUEZ. Deane was also instrumental in forming the Water Partnership Council (WPC), a trade association that represented a diverse group of companies providing water and wastewater services to nearly 2,000 cities and communities. WPC and its member companies recently realigned under the NAWC banner to continue raising the profile of the array of solutions available to address the challenges facing America’s water and wastewater systems.

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