Essential Utilities Inc. Announces New Vice President of Corporate Development

BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) announced today the appointment of John Andrews as vice president of corporate development for the organization, replacing William Davis, who retired earlier this year.

Andrews brings more than 20 years of investment banking, corporate development, strategy and finance leadership to Essential. Most recently, he worked as a strategic advisory consultant, helping clients across a spectrum of industries identify investment, acquisition and restructuring opportunities to optimize their business portfolios. Prior to that, he served as vice president of strategy and corporate development for Vertellus Specialties where he was responsible for developing and executing overall corporate strategy including acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, business restructuring and divestitures. In addition, Andrews spent approximately 12 years working in investment banking for Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc, CIT Group and Jefferies & Company Inc., holding the position of managing director at each.

“John comes to Essential as a highly effective leader in the strategy and corporate development space,” said Essential Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin. “He will play a key role as we continue to execute our very successful growth through acquisition strategy.”

Andrews will report to Matthew Rhodes, Essential’s executive vice president, strategy and corporate development.

“John’s background across the corporate finance, investment banking and strategy and corporate development functions make him the ideal fit for this role and I’m very happy to have him on board,” said Rhodes.

Andrews earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and spent five years as a Field Artillery officer in the United States Army before earning a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University in New York.

About Essential

Essential is one of the largest publicly traded water, wastewater and natural gas providers in the U.S., serving approximately 5 million people across 10 states under the Aqua and Peoples brands. Essential is committed to excellence in proactive infrastructure investment, regulatory expertise, operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. The company recognizes the importance water and natural gas play in everyday life and is proud to deliver safe, reliable services that contribute to the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information, visit http://www.essential.co.

WTRG (General)