26 Jun OWASA Announces Selection of New Executive Director
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors has selected Todd Taylor to serve as OWASA’s next Executive Director. The Board made the final approval at a meeting on Thursday, June 25.
Taylor has served as the General Manager of Operations at OWASA since 2013.
“Over the years, Todd has demonstrated a vision for our community, a commitment to excellence in the field, and the strategic-thinking skills we sought for this position,” Board Chair Ray DuBose said of the selection. “He has developed relationships in the community critical to our service. Under Todd’s leadership, we are very confident our talented and dedicated Team will continue our long history of excellent service for the Carrboro-Chapel Hill community.”
Taylor brings more than 20 years of relevant experience to the position, in addition to being a licensed North Carolina Professional Engineer, earning an MBA, and graduating from UNC’s Water and Wastewater Leadership Center.
“Many thanks to the OWASA Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to serve the community in this new role,” Taylor said. “It is such an honor and a privilege to be chosen to lead this outstanding organization.”
Taylor will begin serving as OWASA’s Executive Director on July 6 as Ed Kerwin steps down from his post. The Board also expressed its thanks to Kerwin for his leadership over the last 24 years serving the Carrboro and Chapel Hill communities.
The Board selected Taylor following a national search and thorough assessment process. Hiring an Executive Director is not an everyday task for the OWASA Board; Taylor will be OWASA’s third Executive Director since OWASA was formed in 1977. The Board engaged a consultant to assist with this process, solicited feedback from local government partners to help craft the recruitment profile for the position, and involved local county and town managers in a facilitated interview with the top candidate in May 2020.
“The Board of Directors took very seriously our responsibility to select a new Executive Director for OWASA,” DuBose said. “We are confident that Todd is the right fit for our community.”