DC Water Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

DC Water has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, and human resources.

Driven by a commitment to reliable service, DC Water manages the complete water cycle, from treatment and distribution of potable water through collection and treatment of wastewater, while also maintaining an extensive network of fire hydrants that support emergency response capabilities across the service area.

Leadership Roles at DC Water

  • Chief Executive Officer - Charlie Ragland
  • Chief Executive Officer & Founder - Tongtong Jiang
  • Chief Financial Officer - Barry Robinson
  • Chief Operating Officer - Hemchand Hemraj
  • HR Officer & Deputy Chief Operating Officer - Portia Shorter
  • Chief of Staff - Crystal Davis
  • Deputy Office of The Mayor For Education Chief of Staff - Clara Botstein
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer - Mark Newman
  • Traveling Chief of Staff - Dimosha Smith
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Lennie Moore
  • Charlie Ragland - Chief Executive Officer

    Charlie Ragland, the Chief Executive Officer at DC Water, directs the overarching strategy and operational framework for the comprehensive water utility. Ragland oversees the integration of water management and infrastructure, ensuring the complete water cycle is managed efficiently from treatment and distribution of potable water through collection and treatment of wastewater. This leadership role involves guiding the organization's approach to serving a major metropolitan region, leveraging substantial expertise in managing complex water systems that serve dense urban populations. The Chief Executive Officer ensures that treatment facilities and distribution networks are optimized for reliable service delivery and adherence to stringent water quality standards. Charlie Ragland's strategic direction supports infrastructure modernization and system optimization efforts, addressing challenges inherent to aging urban water systems and maintaining service reliability across the region.

    Tongtong Jiang - Chief Executive Officer & Founder

    Tongtong Jiang, the Chief Executive Officer & Founder at DC Water, establishes the foundational vision and drives the strategic direction for the utility's integrated water management and infrastructure operations. Jiang's entrepreneurial leadership guides the organization's comprehensive approach to the water cycle, encompassing potable water treatment and distribution, alongside wastewater collection and treatment. The Founder's influence extends to the maintenance of an extensive fire hydrant network, crucial for emergency response capabilities across the metropolitan service area. Tongtong Jiang fosters an environment of innovation, ensuring the utility develops and applies substantial expertise in managing complex water systems for dense urban populations. This executive leadership ensures treatment facilities and distribution networks meet demands for reliable service and high water quality standards, while also spearheading infrastructure modernization and system optimization initiatives.
    Tongtong Jiang

    Barry Robinson - Chief Financial Officer

    Barry Robinson, the Chief Financial Officer at DC Water, directs all financial operations and fiscal strategy for the comprehensive water utility. Robinson oversees budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation, ensuring the financial health of operations that manage the complete water cycle. This includes managing the financial aspects of potable water treatment and distribution, as well as wastewater collection and treatment processes. The Chief Financial Officer plays a vital role in securing funding for infrastructure modernization and system optimization efforts, addressing the financial challenges inherent to aging urban water systems. Barry Robinson's financial oversight supports the maintenance of an extensive network of fire hydrants and ensures compliance with financial regulations across the service area. This executive's expertise is crucial for maintaining service reliability and water quality standards through sound financial management.

    Hemchand Hemraj - Chief Operating Officer

    Hemchand Hemraj, the Chief Operating Officer at DC Water, oversees the day-to-day operational execution of the utility's integrated water management and infrastructure. Hemraj directs the complex processes involved in the complete water cycle, from the treatment and distribution of potable water to the collection and treatment of wastewater. This leadership role ensures the efficient functioning of treatment facilities and distribution networks, maintaining reliable service and high water quality standards across a major metropolitan region. The Chief Operating Officer manages the extensive network of fire hydrants, supporting critical emergency response capabilities. Hemchand Hemraj drives infrastructure modernization and system optimization efforts, tackling the technical demands of maintaining service reliability within aging urban water systems. This executive ensures sophisticated engineering and operational protocols are applied to wastewater operations.
    Hemchand Hemraj

    Portia Shorter - HR Officer & Deputy Chief Operating Officer

    Portia Shorter, the HR Officer & Deputy Chief Operating Officer at DC Water, directs human capital strategy and supports operational execution across the utility. Shorter oversees talent acquisition, employee development, and HR policy implementation, ensuring the organization has the skilled workforce necessary for managing the complete water cycle. This dual role involves supporting the Chief Operating Officer in overseeing the day-to-day operations of potable water treatment and distribution, and wastewater collection and treatment. Portia Shorter's leadership ensures that sophisticated engineering and operational protocols are supported by a well-managed workforce. The HR Officer & Deputy Chief Operating Officer contributes to infrastructure modernization and system optimization by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. This executive ensures the utility's substantial expertise in managing complex water systems is sustained through effective human resource management.

    Crystal Davis - Chief of Staff

    Crystal Davis, the Chief of Staff at DC Water, provides critical strategic support and operational coordination across the executive leadership team. Davis manages key initiatives and ensures alignment with the organization's mission of comprehensive water management and infrastructure. This role involves facilitating communication and driving execution of strategic priorities related to the complete water cycle, from potable water treatment and distribution to wastewater collection and treatment. The Chief of Staff supports the utility's efforts in maintaining an extensive network of fire hydrants that bolster emergency response capabilities. Crystal Davis leverages substantial expertise in managing complex water systems for dense urban populations, ensuring operational efficiency and adherence to water quality standards. This executive ensures infrastructure modernization and system optimization efforts are effectively implemented, addressing challenges in aging urban water systems.

    Clara Botstein - Deputy Office of The Mayor For Education Chief of Staff

    Clara Botstein, the Deputy Office of The Mayor For Education Chief of Staff at DC Water, provides strategic leadership and operational coordination focused on educational initiatives and their intersection with water utility services. Botstein ensures alignment between mayoral education priorities and DC Water's broader mission, facilitating programs that enhance public understanding of water management and infrastructure. This role involves coordinating efforts related to the complete water cycle, including educational outreach on potable water treatment, distribution, and wastewater management. The Deputy Office of The Mayor For Education Chief of Staff supports initiatives that leverage the utility's expertise in managing complex water systems for dense urban populations. Clara Botstein's focus contributes to community engagement and the effective communication of DC Water's role in public health and safety, including the maintenance of fire hydrants.

    Mark Newman - Deputy Chief Information Officer

    Mark Newman, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at DC Water, leads the technology strategy and information systems that support the utility's comprehensive water management and infrastructure operations. Newman oversees the implementation and maintenance of IT infrastructure critical for managing the complete water cycle, including systems for potable water treatment and distribution, and wastewater collection and treatment. This executive ensures robust data management and cybersecurity protocols are in place to protect sensitive operational information and maintain service reliability. The Deputy Chief Information Officer drives digital transformation initiatives, enhancing the efficiency of infrastructure modernization and system optimization efforts. Mark Newman's technological guidance supports the utility's substantial expertise in managing complex water systems for dense urban populations and ensures the effective operation of networks supporting emergency response.

    Dimosha Smith - Traveling Chief of Staff

    Dimosha Smith, the Traveling Chief of Staff at DC Water, provides dynamic strategic support and operational coordination across various functions and locations of the utility. Smith facilitates key initiatives and ensures seamless execution of strategic priorities related to the complete water cycle, from potable water treatment and distribution to wastewater collection and treatment. This role involves coordinating efforts that leverage the utility's substantial expertise in managing complex water systems for dense urban populations, ensuring operational efficiency and adherence to water quality standards. The Traveling Chief of Staff supports infrastructure modernization and system optimization efforts by bridging communication gaps and driving project momentum across different operational sites. Dimosha Smith's adaptability ensures that critical support is provided wherever needed to maintain service reliability and enhance emergency response capabilities.

    Lennie Moore - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Lennie Moore, the Chief Human Resources Officer at DC Water, leads the comprehensive human resources strategy and talent management for the utility. Moore oversees all aspects of workforce planning, employee relations, compensation, and benefits, ensuring the organization attracts, develops, and retains top talent essential for managing the complete water cycle. This executive ensures that HR policies and practices align with the utility's mission of providing reliable potable water treatment and distribution, and efficient wastewater collection and treatment. Lennie Moore drives initiatives that foster a positive and productive work environment, supporting the technical demands of maintaining service reliability and implementing infrastructure modernization. The Chief Human Resources Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the utility's substantial expertise in managing complex water systems by cultivating a skilled and engaged workforce.
    Lennie Moore

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding DC Water Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads DC Water?
    DC Water is led by Charlie Ragland (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Tongtong Jiang (Chief Executive Officer & Founder) and Barry Robinson (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of DC Water’s executive team?
    The executive team of DC Water includes leaders such as Charlie Ragland (Chief Executive Officer), Tongtong Jiang (Chief Executive Officer & Founder), Barry Robinson (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does DC Water have?
    DC Water has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in DC Water’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of DC Water includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, HR Officer & Deputy Chief Operating Officer.