Meet Our Leadership

When you combine the spirit of public service with private enterprise, you create a powerful force. Our members are helping to shape the future of water management by their actions, and a unique aspect of our industry is the cooperation between companies. One of our association's strengths is our ability to leverage members' professional relationships and national experience to solve challenges.

To sustain a resolute vision for the association, the NAWC is led by a president chosen each year by peers on our Board of Directors. And to set priorities for the year, the president works closely with NAWC's executive director, president-elect and vice president.

NAWC President
Lisa A. Sparrow
President and CEO
Utilities, Inc.

Lisa Sparrow is an established senior executive with over 20 years of experience in infrastructure, energy and manufacturing companies. Her skills range from the design and construction of operating assets to executive management and policy development.

In 2002, Sparrow joined Utilities, Inc., a privately owned water and wastewater utility, as Director of Operations. She subsequently advanced to Vice President of Operations and was appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer in 2006. In that role she was responsible for the ongoing provision of safe drinking water and environmentally responsible wastewater service to over one million people nationwide. In November 2009, Sparrow was named President and CEO and assumed responsibility for overall management of the company.

Prior to joining Utilities, Inc., Sparrow held numerous management positions in her sixteen years with BP and General Motors. She has a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University and a masters degree in management from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Sparrow also sits on the National Drinking Water Advisory Council, a 15-person council advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on important water issues.

 
NAWC President-Elect
Robert J. Sprowls
President and CEO
American States Water Company

Bob Sprowls has nearly 30 years of experience working for public utilities, utility holding companies and diversified affiliates of utility holding companies. He was appointed to his present position as President and CEO of American States Water Company (AWR) and each of its subsidiaries effective January 1, 2009. AWR provides water service to 256,000 customers throughout 10 counties in California through subsidiary Golden State Water Company and provides water and wastewater services at nine military bases in six states through subsidiary American States Utility Services. Sprowls joined AWR in 2004 as Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO. 

Prior to joining AWR, Sprowls was with CILCORP Inc. for 21 years where he held various management positions including President of subsidiary Central Illinois Light Company, an electric and gas utility serving approximately 250,000 customers. He left CILCORP following its sale to Ameren Corporation.

Sprowls holds a bachelor’s degree from Knox College and his MBA from Bradley University. He is a member of the Southern California Leadership Council and is past chairman of the Illinois Energy Association.

NAWC Vice President
Dennis W. Doll
Chairman, President and CEO
Middlesex Water Company

Dennis Doll serves as Chairman, President and CEO of Middlesex Water Company (MSEX), a company providing regulated water and wastewater utility services, plus contract operations services, primarily in New Jersey and Delaware. Doll joined Middlesex Water in 2004 as Executive Vice President and in 2006, he joined the Middlesex Board of Directors and was named President and CEO. Doll was elected Chairman of the Middlesex Board of Directors in May 2010. Under his leadership, Middlesex Water has received numerous honors in the areas of environmental stewardship, corporate governance and operational excellence.

Dennis has more than 25 years of experience in both regulated utility and utility contract operations and capital management. Prior to joining Middlesex, he served as Vice President & Controller of E’town Corporation, a publicly-traded company engaged in water utility operations. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Economics from Upsala College, and is a Certified Public Accountant. 

In addition to his leadership role with the NAWC, Dennis is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Water Research Foundation and serves on the executive commitees of the New Jersey Utilities Association and Raritan Bay Medical Center. Doll is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of the New Jersey Utilities Association, comprised of the leaders of the state’s 16 major electric, gas, water and telecommunications companies.