Robert MacLean
VOORHEES – American Water has named Robert MacLean senior vice president of its Eastern Division and president of New Jersey American Water, effective March 1, 2017. MacLean replaces William Varley, who was recently appointed senior vice president of American Water’s Midwest Division, encompassing Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.
MacLean has served as president of California American Water since 2009 and president of Hawaii American Water since 2011. California American Water provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 660,000 people throughout the state. Hawaii American Water provides wastewater service to more than 30,000 Hawaiians.
“We are so pleased to bring Rob back to New Jersey and proud of all the work Bill has accomplished during his time leading New Jersey American Water,” said American Water’s chief operating officer Walter Lynch. “With more than 20 years of experience in the water business, Rob is 100 percent committed to excellent customer service, and I know he will bring that passion to our customers in the Garden State. His past experience working in New Jersey makes him a great fit for this new role.”
MacLean joined American Water in 1999. Prior to his current position, he was the director of Field Operations for New Jersey American Water. Before joining New Jersey American Water, he served in various other roles within the American Water organization. He worked for American Water’s market-based business, serving as vice president of Contract Operations where he was responsible for managing more than 30 large contract operations and directed approximately 750 employees in both the United States and Canada.
MacLean co-chairs the board of the National Utilities Diversity Council, a national nonprofit organization focusing on the growth of diversity in the utilities industry. He serves as a board member of the California Chamber of Commerce and was previously co-chair of the chamber’s Water Committee. MacLean also serves on the board of the Health Transformation Alliance, an organization representing close to 40 of the nation’s leading corporations dedicated to providing better health care outcomes for six million Americans.
MacLean earned his master’s degree in applied science in civil engineering from Polytechnique University in Montreal and his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from McGill University in Montreal. In 2014, he attended the Stanford Executive Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
New Jersey American Water, a 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 2.7 million people.
