America’s biggest private water provider has promoted the head of its Chattanooga utility to help with its national governmental affairs and appointed one of its New Jersey managers to head Tennessee American Water.
Darlene Williams, a 10-year veteran manager in the utility industry who has served as senior manager of operations for New Jersey American Water for the past two years, will become president of Tennessee American Water, effective March 25. Williams replaces Valoria Armstrong, who will lead American Water’s national government affairs and community development efforts.
“We are so pleased to have both Val and Darlene expand their roles at American Water,” said Walter Lynch, chief operating officer at American Water. “Val has been a true leader here in Tennessee since becoming president in 2015. She also has a long history of participating in the public process as the first woman and youngest president elected to lead the local chapter of NAACP from 2005 to 2012. We are excited to have her lead our national government efforts and further strengthen our relationships with leaders across the states we serve.”
Armstrong, a former Food Lion manager and NAACP leader, has served as president of Tennessee American since November 2015 and will remain in Chattanooga in her new corporate role.
Lynch also praised Williams for leading a team in New Jersey to provide water service to more than 300,000 persons.