Grant Evitts / Contributed Photo A veteran of American Water Co. operations in Missouri and Illinois was named Monday to head Tennessee's biggest privately owned water system.
Grant Evitts, a 30-year veteran of American Water, is succeeding Darlene Williams as president of Tennessee American Water. Evitts has been serving as the interim president of the Chattanooga water utility since October when Williams resigned from the American Water subsidiary.
Prior to his current role, Evitts served as vice president of operations for Missouri American Water, where he led water quality, field operations, production and maintenance teams that provide water and wastewater services to about 1.5 million people in Missouri.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee American serves about 380,000 persons in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia and is both the largest investor-owned water utility in Tennessee and one of the oldest businesses in Chattanooga, having been founded in 1866.
"Grant brings more than 30 years of water and wastewater expertise to the Tennessee American team. His commitment to safety, customer service, and environmental leadership will enhance an already strong leadership team," said Nick Rowe, senior vice president for American Water's Southeast Division.
Evitts previously served as the senior director of field operations and Production in St. Louis, where he led more than 450 employees. Before that, he was the senior manager of field operations and production in the Southern Division of Illinois American Water.