Jun 29, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

American Water’s Loyd "Aldie" Warnock Expands Role to Lead Business Development Following Retirement of Mark Strauss

American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, today announced Loyd "Aldie" Warnock, currently senior vice president of External Affairs, Communications and Public Policy, will expand his role and also lead Corporate Business Development effective Aug. 1, 2017. Warnock will replace Mark Strauss, who is retiring from his full-time position on that date, but will continue working with the company on a part-time basis on specific business development initiatives through the end of the year.

“On behalf of American Water, we thank Mark for his 20 years of leadership to our company,” said Susan Story, president and chief executive officer of American Water. “Mark is and has been an incredible asset and contributor to the company, and under his tenure, we took many strategic steps to create a sustainable path toward growth.”

Warnock is currently responsible for corporate external affairs including legislative and regulatory policy, strategic water policy as well as corporate communications functions. Since Warnock joined American Water in 2014, the company has built stronger, more constructive and open relationships with the regulatory community, legislators, Congress, and the Administration--as well as with national associations including water, energy and numerous others. He has also played an active role in key business growth projects across the country.

“Aldie has done a tremendous job building American Water’s external relationships,” said Story. “Growth is a strategic priority for American Water, and with Aldie’s leadership, we are confident that our seasoned business development team will continue to drive the success we have achieved in growing our business.”

Previously, Warnock served as senior vice president of External Affairs at the Midwest Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO), a non-profit, self-governing organization of representatives from 16 states with regulatory jurisdiction over entities participating in MISO and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Warnock was responsible for policy development for all regulatory and legislative matters, overseeing state and federal regulatory and legislative activities, client relations, stakeholder support and corporate communications for the regional transmission organization.

Prior to MISO, Warnock served as vice president of External Affairs for Allegheny Energy where he oversaw the utility's interaction with elected officials, including members of Congress, governors and state legislative leadership. Prior to his service at Allegheny, Warnock served as senior vice president of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs at Mirant Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia and as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Reliant Energy in Houston, Texas. Warnock led Mirant's federal and state legislative and regulatory activities, served as the primary contact with regional transmission organizations and oversaw all policy matters related to these areas. He also represented Mirant at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Electric Power Supply Association, the Edison Electric Institute and various public utility commissions.

Warnock received his bachelor's degree in business administration and management from Mississippi State University.

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly-traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

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