DC Water Executive and Leadership Team

Charlie Ragland, the Chief Executive Officer at DC Water, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. This leadership role involves managing complex water systems that serve dense urban populations while ensuring compliance with rigorous environmental standards. Ragland oversees the integration of water treatment and distribution networks, balancing immediate service reliability with long-term infrastructure modernization goals. By aligning departmental objectives with the broader mission of the utility, the Chief Executive Officer drives efficiency across all operational sectors. Charlie Ragland maintains close coordination with the Board to secure necessary funding for pipe replacement programs and capacity improvements. Through this high-level guidance, the organization addresses the technical demands of aging urban water systems. Ultimately, Ragland secures the operational stability required to support the metropolitan region, ensuring that every aspect of the water cycle functions effectively to meet the needs of the community.

Jeffrey Dickey, the Lieutenant and Firefighter and EMT and EFO and Chief Financial Officer at DC Water, manages the financial health and fiscal planning of the utility. This role involves allocating capital for extensive infrastructure modernization, including pipe replacement programs and system capacity improvements. Dickey oversees the budgeting process to ensure that the organization maintains the financial resources required for reliable water delivery and wastewater treatment. Jeffrey Dickey evaluates the cost-effectiveness of various engineering protocols and technology investments, balancing fiscal responsibility with the technical demands of an aging urban water system. By providing financial oversight for emergency response capabilities and fire hydrant maintenance, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the utility remains prepared for critical service needs. This leadership position requires a strategic approach to revenue management and expenditure control, ultimately supporting the long-term sustainability of the organization's operations across the metropolitan region.

Hemchand Hemraj, the Chief Operating Officer at DC Water, manages the daily execution of water treatment and wastewater collection processes. This role focuses on the technical maintenance of treatment plants and the optimization of distribution networks to ensure consistent service delivery. Hemraj oversees the implementation of sophisticated engineering protocols required for environmental discharge management. By monitoring the performance of physical assets, the Chief Operating Officer identifies critical areas for system upgrades and leak detection initiatives. Hemchand Hemraj coordinates with engineering teams to execute capacity improvements that support the growing demands of the urban service area. This operational leadership ensures that the utility maintains high water quality standards while navigating the complexities of an extensive fire hydrant network. Through rigorous oversight of field operations, Hemraj drives the technical excellence necessary to sustain the utility's infrastructure and protect the regional water supply.

Matthew Brown, the Interim Chief Operating Officer at DC Water, manages the logistical aspects of the utility's wastewater operations and collection systems. This role focuses on the coordination of treatment plant activities and the maintenance of effluent management protocols. Brown oversees the deployment of resources for capacity improvements, ensuring that the organization meets environmental discharge standards while managing the physical assets of the wastewater network. Matthew Brown collaborates with engineering and field teams to address the challenges of aging infrastructure, prioritizing projects that enhance system reliability. By focusing on the operational efficiency of the collection systems, the Interim Chief Operating Officer supports the broader mission of the utility to provide comprehensive water management. This leadership position involves managing the day-to-day complexities of urban water operations, ensuring that all processes remain aligned with the organization's commitment to service quality and environmental protection.

Crystal Davis, the Chief of Staff at DC Water, coordinates administrative functions and facilitates communication across the executive leadership team. This role involves streamlining internal processes to ensure that strategic initiatives receive the necessary support for successful implementation. Davis manages the flow of information between departments, enabling the Chief Executive Officer to focus on high-level policy and infrastructure goals. Crystal Davis aligns organizational resources with the utility's mission of providing reliable water services to the metropolitan region. By fostering collaboration among various divisions, the Chief of Staff ensures that operational protocols remain consistent with corporate objectives. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of the utility's complex structure and the ability to resolve bottlenecks that impede progress. Through effective management of executive workflows, Davis supports the overall efficiency of the organization, ensuring that all teams remain focused on delivering high-quality water and wastewater services.

Nick Bhe, the Chief Information Officer at DC Water, architects the digital infrastructure required to support modern utility operations. This role involves managing the data systems that monitor water quality, distribution networks, and wastewater treatment processes. Bhe oversees the implementation of advanced technology solutions that enhance leak detection initiatives and system optimization efforts. By integrating digital tools into the utility's physical asset management, the Chief Information Officer improves the accuracy of infrastructure monitoring across the service area. Nick Bhe collaborates with engineering teams to ensure that data-driven insights inform critical decisions regarding pipe replacement and capacity improvements. This leadership role focuses on securing the utility's information systems against emerging threats while maintaining the connectivity needed for real-time operational control. Through the deployment of scalable technology, Bhe drives the digital transformation necessary to sustain reliable service delivery for the dense urban population.

Fredline D'Ateno, the Chief Human Resources Officer at DC Water, directs the talent acquisition and workforce development strategies essential for maintaining a highly skilled utility staff. This role focuses on building a culture of technical excellence and safety, which remains critical for the operation of complex water treatment and distribution facilities. D'Ateno oversees the implementation of training programs that prepare employees to manage aging urban water systems and execute sophisticated engineering protocols. Fredline D'Ateno aligns human capital strategies with the organization's long-term infrastructure modernization goals, ensuring that the workforce possesses the expertise required for system optimization. By managing performance standards and employee engagement, the Chief Human Resources Officer supports the operational stability of the utility. This leadership position involves fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that attracts top talent to the water sector, ultimately ensuring that the organization maintains the capacity to deliver reliable service to the metropolitan region.

Dimosha Smith, the Traveling Chief of Staff at DC Water, manages cross-functional projects that require direct engagement with field operations and regional stakeholders. This role involves assessing the implementation of infrastructure modernization programs across various treatment facilities and distribution sites. Smith facilitates the alignment of site-specific operational needs with the broader strategic goals established by the executive team. Dimosha Smith monitors the progress of pipe replacement and capacity improvement initiatives, ensuring that field teams have the resources necessary to meet service reliability targets. By acting as a liaison between the central office and operational units, the Traveling Chief of Staff identifies opportunities for process improvements and efficiency gains. This leadership role requires frequent interaction with diverse teams to ensure that the utility's complex water systems function effectively. Through active field presence, Smith drives the execution of critical projects that support the organization's mission of providing high-quality water services.

Lennie Moore, the Chief Human Resources Officer at DC Water, manages organizational development and labor relations to support the utility's complex operational requirements. This role focuses on designing compensation and benefits structures that retain specialized engineering and technical talent necessary for water treatment and distribution. Moore oversees the implementation of safety protocols and professional development initiatives that align with the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship. Lennie Moore collaborates with other C-suite leaders to ensure that workforce planning supports the execution of large-scale infrastructure projects and system optimization efforts. By fostering a high-performance culture, the Chief Human Resources Officer enables the utility to address the challenges of maintaining service reliability in a dense urban environment. This leadership position involves managing the human capital aspects of the organization's modernization programs, ensuring that the workforce remains capable of meeting the evolving technical demands of the water sector.

Michael Rupert, the Associate Chief Technology Officer at DC Water, supports the development and maintenance of the utility's technical systems. This role focuses on the integration of specialized software and hardware that monitor water quality and distribution network performance. Rupert oversees the technical aspects of leak detection initiatives, ensuring that data collection remains accurate and actionable for operational teams. Michael Rupert collaborates with the Chief Information Officer to implement robust cybersecurity measures that protect the utility's critical infrastructure. By focusing on the technical requirements of wastewater treatment and effluent management, the Associate Chief Technology Officer ensures that engineering protocols remain supported by reliable digital tools. This leadership role involves managing the lifecycle of technical assets and identifying opportunities for system upgrades that enhance overall efficiency. Through the application of advanced technology, Rupert drives the modernization of the utility's operational capabilities, supporting the delivery of consistent water services.