John Watson Announces Retirement; Deron Allen Named New President of Tennessee American Water

After more than 30 years of distinguished service, Tennessee American Water President John Watson has announced his intention to retire from American Water, effective May 1, 2011. Watson started his career with the company in 1977 at Indiana American Water, and since that time has held leadership positions with the company’s subsidiaries in Indiana as well as Ohio, Virginia and in recent years, Tennessee.

Deron Allen named new president of Tennessee American Water (Photo: Business Wire)

"John’s long-term commitment to our customers, his dedication to American Water and his leadership are to be commended,” said Walter Lynch, president and chief operating officer for American Water’s regulated operations. "We appreciate John’s service to American Water and to Chattanooga, and we wish him and his family the very best as he enters his retirement years.”

Watson’s successor as president of Tennessee American Water is Deron Allen, who will begin transitioning into his new role on April 1. Allen, a native of Richmond, Ind., has served as vice president of Operations for Indiana American Water since April 2010.

"I’m delighted that Deron has accepted the position of leading American Water’s Tennessee operations,” said Nick Rowe, senior vice president of American Water’s eastern division. "Deron has proven that he is a solid leader with tremendous knowledge of the water utility industry and a passion for community service. I look forward to the leadership he will bring to Tennessee American Water and know that he will quickly seek opportunities to be an active member of the Chattanooga community.”

Allen has nearly 28 years experience in the water utility industry. He joined Indiana American Water in 1985 as a treatment plant operator and from there moved into various positions in water treatment and distribution. He left the company in the early 1990s for a management position with the Crowder College Environmental Resource Center in Neosho, Mo., and eventually led the center’s Environmental Health and Safety Division. He returned to Indiana American Water in 2001 and was named the utility’s vice president of Operations nine years later.

Allen has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from Indiana State University as well as an associate’s degree in applied science from Crowder College. He has been active in numerous civic, professional and community organizations, including the American Water Works Association, Rotary International and the Boy Scouts of America.

Allen and his wife, Terri, will relocate to the Chattanooga area.

Tennessee 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 services to more than 350,000 people in Tennessee and northern Georgia.

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK). 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 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125^th anniversary with a yearlong campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6654194&lang=en