George S. Hawkins, CEO and General Manager of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, has notified the Board of Directors of his intention to step down from his current role as of December 29. Hawkins, 57, joined DC Water in 2009. Today’s announcement caps a 20-year career as a chief executive of nonprofits and government agencies. 

In the next phase of his career, Hawkins will begin work on a book about transformational leadership in the water sector; assume a role as an adviser to DC Water’s Blue Drop nonprofit affiliate; and continue to serve on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council and on several boards including the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the US Water Alliance.

Hawkins released the following statement:

“This job has been the privilege of a lifetime. I haven’t dug a single trench, turned a single valve or processed a single payment. But I’ve been fortunate to come to work every day with 1,100 men and women who are among the world’s best at what they do. For their work at my side, providing something so essential -- indeed, the stuff of life itself -- I will always be grateful almost beyond measure to Team Blue.

“I am stepping back from a day-to-day role at a water utility, but I’m as committed as ever to the future of the water sector. I will continue to coach future leaders and provide guidance to fellow executives who want to do as we did at DC Water: connect with customers, build a world-class team, drive a relentless focus on innovation, and achieve the financial security to upgrade infrastructure for future generations.”

“George Hawkins has given extraordinary service to the people of the District of Columbia and the entire region,” said Nicholas Majett, Vice Chair of the DC Water Board of Directors and Prince George’s County Chief Administrative Officer. “The Board is grateful for George’s eight years of leadership and looks forward to an orderly transition during his remaining months at DC Water.”