American Water Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

American Water has 10 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, human capital management, operational oversight, and regional utility administration.

Committed to delivering essential infrastructure services, American Water prioritizes public health and environmental sustainability through the management of regulated water and wastewater systems across the United States.

Leadership Roles at American Water

  • Chief Financial Officer - Karen Bare
  • Senior Vice President, Deputy, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Health, Safety Officer - Mike Doran
  • President, American Water Charitable Foundation - Carrie Williams
  • President - Mark McDonough
  • President - Allen DeBoy
  • President Indiana American Water - Barry Suits
  • President, Kentucky American Water - Robert Burton
  • President - Scott Kane
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer - Melanie Kennedy
  • Life Member - Ronnie Graves
  • Karen Bare - Chief Financial Officer

    Karen Bare, the Chief Financial Officer at American Water, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies for the organization. Managing the financial health of the largest publicly traded water utility in the United States, the Chief Financial Officer oversees investor relations, treasury operations, and long-term budgetary forecasting. This leadership role involves securing the necessary capital to maintain and upgrade critical water infrastructure across diverse regional markets. By optimizing the balance sheet and ensuring regulatory compliance, Karen Bare directly impacts the company's ability to fund essential utility projects. The Chief Financial Officer also collaborates with the Board to align financial performance with broader corporate sustainability goals. Ultimately, Bare secures the fiscal stability required to support nationwide water and wastewater operations, ensuring consistent value delivery for shareholders while maintaining the integrity of vital public utility services.

    Mike Doran - Senior Vice President, Deputy, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Health, Safety Officer

    Mike Doran, the Senior Vice President, Deputy, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Health, Safety Officer at American Water, manages the technical execution of water treatment and distribution protocols. Overseeing the safety standards for all utility operations, the Senior Vice President, Deputy, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Health, Safety Officer ensures that every facility adheres to rigorous environmental and public health regulations. This leadership role involves coordinating complex infrastructure maintenance across urban and rural communities to prevent service disruptions. By integrating advanced monitoring technologies into daily operations, Mike Doran directly impacts the reliability of water delivery systems. The Senior Vice President, Deputy, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Health, Safety Officer also collaborates with regional teams to optimize wastewater collection and treatment processes. Ultimately, Doran maintains the operational integrity of the company's nationwide assets, ensuring safe and sustainable water solutions for all customers.

    Carrie Williams - President, American Water Charitable Foundation

    Carrie Williams, the President, American Water Charitable Foundation at American Water, directs the philanthropic strategy and community engagement initiatives for the organization. Overseeing the foundation's grant-making processes, the President, American Water Charitable Foundation ensures that corporate social responsibility efforts align with the company's mission of environmental stewardship and public health. This leadership role involves building partnerships with non-profit organizations to support water-related education and conservation projects across the United States. By managing the distribution of resources to impactful community programs, Carrie Williams directly impacts the company's reputation and social license to operate. The President, American Water Charitable Foundation also coordinates with internal stakeholders to promote volunteerism and community involvement among employees. Ultimately, Williams strengthens the connection between the utility and the communities served, fostering long-term trust and supporting the broader goals of environmental sustainability and economic health.

    Mark McDonough - President

    Mark McDonough, the President at American Water, leads the strategic direction and overall business performance of the company's regulated utility operations. Overseeing the management of water and wastewater systems, the President ensures that the organization meets its commitments to customers, regulators, and shareholders. This leadership role involves driving growth initiatives and operational improvements across the company's diverse geographic footprint. By setting the vision for long-term infrastructure investment, Mark McDonough directly impacts the company's ability to provide reliable and sustainable water services. The President also collaborates with other executive leaders to navigate the complexities of the utility industry and address emerging environmental challenges. Ultimately, McDonough executes the corporate strategy to maintain the company's position as the leading provider of water and wastewater solutions, ensuring that all operations support public health and economic activity throughout the various regions served.

    Allen DeBoy - President

    Allen DeBoy, the President at American Water, manages the operational efficiency and service delivery standards for specific regional utility divisions. Overseeing the day-to-day performance of water treatment plants and distribution networks, the President ensures that local operations meet all safety and quality benchmarks. This leadership role involves optimizing resource allocation and maintenance schedules to enhance system reliability for residential and commercial customers. By implementing process improvements and technology upgrades, Allen DeBoy directly impacts the operational output of the assigned regional assets. The President also engages with local stakeholders and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and support community needs. Ultimately, DeBoy drives the tactical execution of the company's mission, ensuring that regional water and wastewater systems operate effectively and sustainably to support the health and economic vitality of the communities within the assigned operational territory.
    Allen DeBoy

    Barry Suits - President Indiana American Water

    Barry Suits, the President Indiana American Water at American Water, directs the utility operations and strategic growth initiatives within the Indiana market. Overseeing the management of water and wastewater infrastructure, the President Indiana American Water ensures that all services meet the specific needs of local urban and rural communities. This leadership role involves coordinating with state regulators and local government officials to maintain compliance and support infrastructure development projects. By focusing on operational excellence and customer service, Barry Suits directly impacts the reliability of water delivery across the state. The President Indiana American Water also manages the local team to ensure that treatment and distribution systems function efficiently. Ultimately, Suits drives the company's commitment to public health and environmental sustainability in Indiana, ensuring that the utility remains a trusted provider of essential water services for all residents and businesses.

    Robert Burton - President, Kentucky American Water

    Robert Burton, the President, Kentucky American Water at American Water, leads the utility operations and community engagement efforts throughout the Kentucky region. Overseeing the maintenance and expansion of water systems, the President, Kentucky American Water ensures that the company provides safe and reliable service to a diverse customer base. This leadership role involves managing local infrastructure projects and addressing the unique environmental challenges of the area. By prioritizing operational efficiency and regulatory adherence, Robert Burton directly impacts the quality of water services delivered to the community. The President, Kentucky American Water also fosters relationships with local leaders and stakeholders to support economic development and public health initiatives. Ultimately, Burton drives the company's mission in Kentucky, ensuring that the utility maintains high standards of performance and sustainability while meeting the evolving needs of the region's residential and commercial customers.
    Robert Burton

    Scott Kane - President

    Scott Kane, the President at American Water, oversees the strategic management of specialized utility systems and contract operations. Focusing on the administration of water and wastewater services for military installations, the President ensures that these mission-critical environments receive reliable and secure infrastructure support. This leadership role involves managing complex long-term contracts and coordinating with governmental partners to maintain high operational standards. By implementing rigorous safety and performance protocols, Scott Kane directly impacts the effectiveness of utility services in these unique settings. The President also collaborates with internal teams to ensure that the company's broader technical expertise is applied to these specialized projects. Ultimately, Kane drives the operational success of these critical contracts, ensuring that the company fulfills its obligations to provide essential water and wastewater solutions in environments where reliability and security are of the utmost importance.

    Melanie Kennedy - Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

    Melanie Kennedy, the Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at American Water, architects the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies for the entire workforce. Overseeing human capital initiatives, the Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company attracts and retains the specialized expertise required to manage complex water and wastewater systems. This leadership role involves fostering a culture of safety, inclusion, and professional growth across all regional operations. By implementing robust training programs and performance management systems, Melanie Kennedy directly impacts the operational efficiency of the utility. The Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer also aligns workforce planning with the evolving needs of the business, ensuring that teams remain prepared to handle mission-critical infrastructure challenges. Ultimately, Kennedy drives the organizational excellence necessary to sustain high-quality service delivery for residential, commercial, and industrial customers nationwide.

    Ronnie Graves - Life Member

    Ronnie Graves, the Life Member at American Water, provides historical context and advisory support to the leadership team regarding long-term organizational goals. Overseeing the preservation of institutional knowledge, the Life Member ensures that the company maintains continuity in its core mission of providing essential water and wastewater services. This leadership role involves mentoring emerging executives and offering insights into the evolution of the utility industry. By sharing expertise gained through years of service, Ronnie Graves directly impacts the strategic decision-making processes of the current management team. The Life Member also participates in key advisory sessions to help align current operations with the company's foundational values. Ultimately, Graves supports the ongoing success of the organization, ensuring that the lessons learned from the past continue to inform the company's approach to modern infrastructure challenges and sustainable utility management.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding American Water Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads American Water?
    American Water is led by Karen Bare (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Mike Doran (Senior Vice President, Deputy, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Health, Safety Officer) and Carrie Williams (President, American Water Charitable Foundation).
    Who is part of American Water’s executive team?
    The executive team of American Water includes leaders such as Karen Bare (Chief Financial Officer), Mike Doran (Senior Vice President, Deputy, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Health, Safety Officer), Carrie Williams (President, American Water Charitable Foundation) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does American Water have?
    American Water has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in American Water’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of American Water includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Deputy, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Health, Safety Officer, President, American Water Charitable Foundation, President, President.