Hawkins Stepping Down as DC Water CEO, General Manager

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority – better known as DC Water – announced Sept. 7 that its George S. Hawkins, its CEO and general manager will step down from his role as of Dec. 29.

“George Hawkins has given extraordinary service to the people of the District of Columbia and the entire region,” said Nicholas Majett, vice chair of the DC Water Board of Directors and Prince George’s County Chief Administrative Officer. “The Board is grateful for George’s eight years of leadership and looks forward to an orderly transition during his remaining months at DC Water.”

Hawkins, a well-known, and liked, advocate for the water sector joined DC Water in 2009. The announcement caps a 20-year career as a chief executive of nonprofits and government agencies.

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“This job has been the privilege of a lifetime. I haven’t dug a single trench, turned a single valve or processed a single payment. But I’ve been fortunate to come to work every day with 1,100 men and women who are among the world’s best at what they do,” Hawkins said in a statement released by DC Water. “For their work at my side, providing something so essential — indeed, the stuff of life itself — I will always be grateful almost beyond measure to Team Blue.”

In the next phase of his career, Hawkins will begin work on a book about transformational leadership in the water sector; assume a role as an adviser to DC Water’s Blue Drop nonprofit affiliate; and continue to serve on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council and on several boards including the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the US Water Alliance.

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“I am stepping back from a day-to-day role at a water utility, but I’m as committed as ever to the future of the water sector,” Hawkins said. “I will continue to coach future leaders and provide guidance to fellow executives who want to do as we did at DC Water: connect with customers, build a world-class team, drive a relentless focus on innovation, and achieve the financial security to upgrade infrastructure for future generations.”

News of the announcement spread quickly on Twitter, where Hawkins (@GeorgeHawkinsDC) is know to post frequently and spread the message of not only DC Water’s work, but the importance of updating and maintaining the nation’s water infrastructure.

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