BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aqua America (NYSE: WTR) has announced that Kari Bennett has been named president of its Indiana subsidiary. Bennett succeeds Thomas M. Bruns, who retired at the end of 2019 after 15 years of dedicated leadership at the company. Bennett reports to Colleen Arnold, deputy chief operating officer of Aqua America.

In her new role, Bennett leads the Indiana team and represents Aqua in state government interactions and in the communities Aqua serves. She will also plan and lead utility acquisition opportunities across the state.

“Kari brings extensive regulated utility experience and an environmental science and legal background that uniquely positions her to lead our water and wastewater business in Indiana,” said Arnold. “She will be a fundamental asset to Aqua Indiana as we look to continue our growth in the state and execute on our mission to deliver earth’s most essential resource to our customers.”

Prior to joining Aqua, Bennett served as the executive director of customer experience at the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, a not-for-profit, member-based organization that delivers electric power across 15 states and one Canadian province. She also previously served as a commissioner for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and the general counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Bennett earned her bachelor’s degree from the Miami University of Ohio and a juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota.

Aqua America Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin shared his excitement to see Bennett assume the role. “Since becoming CEO in 2015, I have continually sought to bring further gender diversity to our management team, and in that time we have added numerous experienced and talented women to our leadership. I am excited to have Kari on board, I look forward to her contributions and I am proud of our ongoing efforts to align our workforce with the diverse population of customers we serve.”

In November, Aqua received the Forum of Executive Women’s Advancing Women Company Award, which recognizes companies that go above and beyond to create cultures where women can thrive, succeed and have a voice. The Forum of Executive Women is a membership organization of more than 450 women executive leaders across the Greater Philadelphia region.

About Aqua America

Aqua America is the second-largest publicly traded water utility based in the U.S. and serves over 3 million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana and Virginia. Aqua America is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WTR. Visit AquaAmerica.com for more information or follow Aqua on Facebook at facebook.com/MyAquaAmerica and on Twitter at @MyAquaAmerica.