Janet M. Hansen has been appointed president and chief executive officer of
Aquarion's BHC Company water utility subsidiary. Retaining his current title and
responsibilities as a senior vice president of Aquarion, James S. McInerney has
been appointed chairman of BHC. Both appointments will be effective April 1.
Currently serving as executive vice president, chief financial officer and
treasurer of Aquarion, Hansen will be the first woman to serve as BHC's
president and CEO in its 143-year history. On a national scale, she will be one
of only a few women running major private or public water companies.
"Having worked very closely with Janet on several far-reaching initiatives
the past few years, including the Kelda/Aquarion merger, I can truly say that
there is no better person to lead this company at this exciting period in
time," stated Aquarion president and chief executive officer Richard K.
Schmidt.
In her new capacity, Hansen will be primarily responsible for BHC's general
operations, including overseeing the water utility business and regulatory
relations, and establishing and achieving financial and operational objectives.
In addition, she will continue to serve as Aquarion's executive vice president.
Hansen joined BHC in 1975 and held various accounting and financial positions of
increasing responsibility on her way to becoming executive vice president and
chief financial officer in 1995.
As chairman, McInerney will be primarily responsible for national and
international external relations as ambassador and legislative liaison for
Aquarion and BHC on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
"As one who has great expertise in the water supply industry, it is
entirely fitting that Jim assume the role of BHC's chairman," Schmidt said.
"The company will benefit greatly from his considerable talents and
competence as he promotes a greater understanding of issues that are critical to
the continued success and advancement of BHC and the industry as a whole."
McInerney joined BHC's Stamford Water Company (SWC) in 1970 and subsequently
assumed positions of increasing responsibility before becoming Aquarion's senior
vice president of utilities in 1992 and BHC's chief executive officer in 1995.
As president and CEO, he brought BHC through the largest series of capital
projects in the company's 143-year history; doubling its asset base by building
six water filtration facilities.
SOURCE: Aquarion
