Cheryl Norton Named President of Kentucky American Water

Cheryl Norton has been named the new president of Kentucky American Water, effective Jan. 10, 2011. Norton, the first female president in the history of Kentucky American Water, has been vice president of operations for Illinois American Water since 2007. She succeeds Nick Rowe, who has served as president of Kentucky American Water since 2004 as well as senior vice president, Eastern Division, for American Water, the local utility’s parent company. Norton will report to Rowe.

Norton, a native of northwestern Missouri near Kansas City and St. Joseph, started her career with American Water in 1988 as a research technician for American Water’s national laboratory in Belleville, Ill., conducting nationally recognized microbiological research related to improving water treatment techniques. The laboratory provides services for American Water subsidiaries across the country. Norton was named the facility’s director in 2000 and continued in that capacity until 2007, when she joined Illinois American Water as its vice president of operations.

"On behalf of American Water’s senior executive team, I’m delighted to welcome Cheryl as Kentucky American Water’s new president,” Rowe said. "She brings a wealth of experience in the water utility industry, a passion for providing excellence in water quality and a strong commitment to community service. I look forward to the new leadership and contributions she will bring to Kentucky American Water, the communities we serve and the Commonwealth.”

Norton earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in environmental studies from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She has served as a trustee of the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association, and was recognized by AWWA in 1992 for the most notable contribution to the science of public water supply development, which she earned for research work she conducted on drinking water disinfection. The AWWA Illinois Section awarded her with the Professional Service Award in 2006. She has served as a board member for the Metro Water Infrastructure Partnership and the Illinois Division of the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

Rowe’s office will remain at Kentucky American Water’s Lexington office on Richmond Road, which also serves as American Water’s Eastern Division headquarters. With Norton’s recent appointment, Rowe will now focus fully on his American Water role, which involves senior executive oversight of the company’s operations in Indiana, Ohio, Long Island, Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as Kentucky.

Norton and her husband, Bill, and their daughter, Emily, will relocate to the Lexington area.

Kentucky American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately half a million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com. Kentucky American Water is now on Twitter. Follow us at kyamwater.