(Washington, D.C.) - Jerry N. Johnson, General Manager of the DC Water and Sewer Authority (DCWASA), today announced the resignation of Paul L. Bender, Deputy General Manager and Chief Financial Officer effective July 29, 2005. Mr. Bender developed WASA’s ten-year strategic financial plan and oversaw its implementation. He was also key in reducing costs, including a forty million reduction in the Authority’s first operating budget.

“Paul Bender oversaw WASA’s growth from a utility with no bond ratings to its current bond ratings in the ‘AA’ category,” said General Manager Jerry Johnson. “WASA’s financial operations and customer service functions have greatly benefited from Paul’s dedicated guidance. We will miss him and his leadership.”

Mr. Bender, age 52, served as the first CFO of the newly formed Authority since July of 1997. He subsequently took on responsibility for billing collections, meter operations, and customer service. Under his leadership the Authority replaced and automated its metering system introducing reliable and cost-effective technology.

Mr. Bender also oversaw WASA’s information technology organization, and led the implementation of a new fully integrated financial and payroll system that provides a strong set of financial controls on day-to-day transactions. He introduced reliable and responsive technology vastly improving customer service and enabling customers to view their bills privately on the internet and pay their bills on line.

Beginning in mid-August, Mr. Bender will serve as a consultant to the National Treasury of the Republic of South Africa under a special World Bank program to assist local governments with financial management.

In his new consulting role, Mr. Bender will help South African local governments develop long-term strategic financial plans and policies and assist them in tying these plans to annual budgets. Mr. Bender will initially be located in the Ilembe Municipal District, approximately 35 miles northeast of Durban.

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