Anthony White
Litchfield Park,AZ
Summary
Results-driven water and waste water operations executive with a decade of success leading teams within the water and wastewater industry. Recognized for strategic planning, ensuring water quality, field operations, and maintenance excellence. Proven track record exceeding operational and financial targets, aligning business objectives with company goals. Dynamic leader fostering high-performance teams, emphasizing talent development and diversity. Strong influencing skills in complex organizations, with exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities. Deep knowledge of regulated water and wastewater utilities, regulations, and industry trends. Experience managing union and nonunion workplace. Holds an MBA.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Operations
Liberty Utilities
11.2022 - Current
- Director level oversight of Arizona and Texas water and wastewater Business Unit, with over 100 indirect reports and 2000 supporting staff
- Provided director-level oversight for more than 50 utility systems, covering water and wastewater maintenance, planning, design, construction, engineering, distribution/collections, and field services
- Occasional direct management of systems while actively recruiting for management-level vacant positions
- Supported expansions, including significant $100+ million wastewater facility addition and acquisitions across Arizona and Texas
- Led due process and transition planning for multiple systems
- Managed annual budget of approximately $300 million, overseeing both capital (CAPEX) and operating (OPEX) expenditures
- Supported planning and preparation of rate filings, resolution of rate applications, transfer proceedings, territory extensions, tariffs, and rule changes
- Ensured utility compliance with all Federal, State, and Local regulations, policies, and procedures governing water and wastewater utilities
- This encompassed rules from EPA, ADEQ, ADWR, OSHA, ACC, TCEQ, and TPUC
- Participated in various boards and committees, fostering relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, politicians, municipalities, and industrial partners, to facilitate collaboration and secure new acquisitions
- Completed and supervised performance reviews for all staff, utilizing feedback mechanisms such as employee surveys, resulting in a notable 10% improvement in overall employee satisfaction
- Implemented best operating practices to foster continuous improvement, innovation, and exceptional customer service
- Ensured operational integrity and regulatory compliance across all facilities within division
- Provided strategic and operational input for annual business plans, controlled budgets, and consistently met or exceeded operational and financial targets
- Led, motivated, and developed staff in assigned operational areas, fostering culture of individual and team capabilities development
- Linked business units' objectives to company goals and values, driving performance and shared commitment to business improvement
- Effectively communicated shared vision, energized and empowered staff, and championed diversity within the workplace
- Collaborated with state president and engineering staff to develop capital investment strategies and ensured their effective implementation
- Supported business development function within state, contributing to due diligence and operational analysis for acquisitions and contract operations
- Established and maintained relationships with political, civic leaders and other key external stakeholders, serving as the operational contact.
- Provided support to the state president in maintaining and enhancing relationships statewide.
Division Manager
Aqua America
06.2021 - 11.2022
- Regional Executive over 25 utility systems across Northern Illinois with multiple direct and indirect reports
- Orchestrated the seamless integration of multiple water and wastewater systems, showcasing a mastery of acquisitions and transition processes that ensured a 20% improvement in operational continuity and success
- Pioneered the implementation of state-of-the-art 2,000 gpm water wells, amplifying water production capacities and demonstrating a commitment to cutting-edge infrastructure, resulting in a 25% efficiency improvement
- Successfully orchestrated the construction and installation of 25 water and wastewater plants, meticulously managing contractors to deliver projects on time and within budget, achieving a 15% improvement in project efficiency
- Implemented sophisticated SCADA systems and precision pressure loggers, resulting in a substantial 30% reduction in main breaks and heralding a new era of operational efficiency
- Elevated financial performance by adeptly addressing operational inefficiencies, strategically lowering electrical charges, and optimizing chemical costs, leading to a remarkable 15% improvement in EBITDA
- Drove strategic system growth initiatives by collaboratively extending water and wastewater mains with municipalities, fostering economic expansion and community development, achieving a 20% increase in system efficiency
- Upheld an exemplary safety record by introducing and enforcing Smith Driving techniques, achieving zero recordable vehicle accidents (RVAs) in 2021
- Fueled a positive workplace culture by establishing employee-led Work-Life Balance and Compliance Committees, responding directly to insights garnered from a comprehensive Employee Survey
- Excelled in cost management, leading the company with an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) vs
- Budget metric of 91.04% in 2021, showcasing a commitment to financial prudence
- Navigated complex negotiations to secure Franchise agreements with municipalities, strategically protecting future right-of-way construction and fostering enduring partnerships
- Championed performance excellence through strategic staff selection, the development of precise divisional performance goals and measurements, and proactive training initiatives
- Contributed significantly to budget administration, ensuring fiscal responsibility, while overseeing maintenance and capital renovations pivotal to advancing the water and wastewater system
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives by keenly evaluating trends, establishing critical measurements, designing systems, and proactively resolving operational challenges
- Fostered a culture of safety, consistency, productivity, and compliance, instilling a sense of shared commitment to departmental goals among employees
- Ensured unwavering business unit compliance with regulations (tariffs, IEPA, ICC, and OSHA), underlining a steadfast commitment to environmental and operational safety
- Co-Chaired the Aqua corporate non-revenue water Committee, actively contributing to nationwide initiatives aimed at minimizing water loss and bolstering operational efficiency
- Crafted and executed comprehensive operations strategies, emphasizing water quality, field operations, production, and maintenance, showcasing an unrelenting commitment to excellence
- Spearheaded the implementation of industry-best operating practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and the consistent delivery of exceptional customer service
- Safeguarded operational integrity and ensured regulatory compliance across all facilities within the division, serving as a beacon of reliability and trust
- Provided invaluable strategic and operational input for annual business plans, consistently surpassing operational and financial targets, showcasing an unwavering dedication to success
- Galvanized and developed a high-performance team through inspirational leadership, individual and team capabilities development, and unwavering alignment with company goals and values
- Effectively communicated a shared vision, energizing and empowering staff, while championing diversity within the workplace, fostering an inclusive and thriving work environment
- Collaborated seamlessly with the state president and engineering staff, contributing significantly to the development and execution of capital investment strategies, ensuring sustained growth and success
- Played an instrumental role in supporting the business development function within the state, actively contributing to due diligence and operational analysis for acquisitions and contract operations
- Established and maintained influential relationships with political, civic leaders, and other key external stakeholders, serving as the operational contact, thereby fortifying the company's standing and influence state-wide.
Manager Field Operations
Tacoma Public Utilities
06.2019 - 06.2021
- Support multiple initiatives as a Manager of Operations at Tacoma Public Utilities
- Manage the staff that completes fieldwork for Tacoma Water and Tacoma Power
- Manage and oversee multiple functional areas
- Managed a department with over 43 staff members
- Monitor unit's performance (KPI's), including established performance metrics, tracked results, and implement actions to improve operations performance
- Created staff recognition programs that improved culture and staff satisfaction
- Coordinated and collaborated with TPU workgroups and other government agencies to better serve business and residential customers in program operations or development of improvements or procedural changes
- Establishes strategies by evaluating trends; establishing critical measurements; determining productivity, quality, and effective strategies; designing systems; accumulating resources; resolving problems; implementing change.
Director, Topeka Utilities
City Of Topeka Kansas
05.2016 - 05.2018
- Managed three utilities sections
- Directly managed 3 management professionals, indirect 25 field staff, and three administrative staff
- Point person for customer contact and public relations within customer service regarding billing, backflow, and field customer service
- Process owner for multiple major capital projects including distribution, AMI, CIS, etc
- Trained project managers
- Increased read percent by 23% and increased production by 35% using Lean techniques
- Created a commercial meter testing and exchange program that increased commercial meter revenue over $1M per year within the first year of employment
- Created theft and Backflow prevention program that assisted in lowering non-revenue water by 7%
- Resolved issues with customers related to utility usage and metering through subordinate supervisors and field staff
- Established strategies by evaluating trends; establishing critical measurements; determining productivity, quality, and effective strategies; designing systems; accumulating resources; resolving problems; implementing change.
Supervisor
SUEZ
12.2014 - 05.2016
- Supervised for one of the largest private water companies in the United States
- Point person for customer contact and public relations within Operations
- Supervised staff that completed orders for over 300,000 water services and 1.5 million customers
- Supervised 25 union field staff
- Develop and coordinate business plans and forecasts; participate in labor/management efforts in the preparation and evaluation of short and long-term business goals
- Managed operations infrastructure upgrades
- Managed distribution (during non-business hours)
- Performed coaching, motivation, and development for office and field staff
- Handled customer escalations and public relations for field operations
- Emergency response team member
- Perform weekly quality assurance/control investigations of work performed by all New Jersey technicians to ensure work is performed in line with department, regulatory standards.
Project Manager
Various AMI, CIS, Utility Projects
10.2007 - 06.2014
- Managed multiple large projects across the United States for large utility companies
- Managed over 200 staff members
- Water and Electric
- KCP&L, PEPCO, BPU.
Education
MBA - Business Administration And Management
University of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, ILBachelor of Applied Science - Project Management
Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WASkills
- Strong management skills in planning, organizing, analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, and employee development
- Proven ability to build relationships with stakeholders that lead to acquisition and/or contracts
- Excellent leadership skills, presence, and the ability to maintain productive relationships with employees at all levels, senior management, and external stakeholders
- Ability to lead, motivate, and empower employees
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills (persuasion, listening, cooperation, diplomacy)
- Extensive knowledge of the regulated water and wastewater utility business and its operations
- In-depth understanding of applicable regulations, requirements, and trends impacting the water and wastewater business
- Expertise in assessing operating practices and establishing best practices
- P&L Administration
- Strategic Planning
Memberships And Licenses
- Project Management Institute Member ID 3109154
- Backflow prevention (Expired)
- Naruc rate school
Timeline
Director, Operations
Liberty Utilities
11.2022 - Current
Division Manager
Aqua America
06.2021 - 11.2022
Manager Field Operations
Tacoma Public Utilities
06.2019 - 06.2021
Director, Topeka Utilities
City Of Topeka Kansas
05.2016 - 05.2018
Supervisor
SUEZ
12.2014 - 05.2016
Project Manager
Various AMI, CIS, Utility Projects
10.2007 - 06.2014
MBA - Business Administration And Management
University of Illinois At Chicago
Bachelor of Applied Science - Project Management
Tacoma Community College