VOORHEES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, today announced that Karl F. Kurz has been appointed as an independent member of the company's board of directors effective February 18, 2015.
"American Water is pleased to have Mr. Kurz join our board of directors," said George MacKenzie, chairman of the board of American Water. "Mr. Kurz has extensive public company board experience. His tenure in the petroleum and natural gas industry as well as capital market knowledge and experience make him an excellent addition to our board as the company continues its efforts in the water-energy nexus space."
American Water's board of directors now consists of nine members, eight of whom are independent.
"We are honored to have someone with Karl’s experience, knowledge and talent become part of American Water," said Susan Story, president and CEO of American Water. "Karl’s long history of working in the oil and gas industry will be invaluable as we continue our strategic growth in shale and pursue the potential opportunities in the national water-energy nexus discussion, smart water grid development, and water supply solutions. Additionally, his experience in finance and capital markets is also a benefit for our company and board.”
Kurz is a former chief operating officer for Anadarko and also held management positions at Vastar Resources and ARCO Oil and Gas. Most recently, Kurz served as a managing director of CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC, a global private equity firm, from 2009 to 2012.
Prior to CCMP, Kurz spent nine years with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world, last serving as chief operating officer from December 2006 to 2009. He was responsible for overseeing the company’s global exploration and production, marketing, midstream, land, technology and service businesses.
Kurz also previously served as general manager of midstream and marketing for Vastar Resources, Inc. where he managed the company’s marketing of oil, natural gas liquids, gas and gas processing. He also held management positions at ARCO Oil & Gas Company in several business units including reservoir engineering, production, operations, crude oil marketing, and financial trading.
Kurz currently serves on the boards of WPX Energy Inc., SemGroup Corporation and Siluria Technologies. He previously served as a board member of the American Petroleum Institute, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Natural Gas Supply Association and Western Gas Partners LP.
Kurz received a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.
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