Essential Utilities Taps Internal Talent to Steer Ambitious Growth

BRYN MAWR, PA – January 16, 2026 – In a move signaling both strategic continuity and a doubling down on its aggressive growth plans, Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) has promoted Alexis Rodriguez to Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development. The appointment places a seasoned executive with a unique blend of engineering, finance, and internal company experience at the helm of the utility giant’s strategic execution during a transformative period for both the company and the industry.

Rodriguez, who has been with the company for five years, will now lead the implementation of Essential’s strategic initiatives while specifically driving the growth opportunities for its water and wastewater subsidiary, Aqua. He will report to Aqua President Colleen Arnold, a structure that directly links strategic planning with operational execution. In a testament to his integral role within the company's leadership, Rodriguez will also continue to serve as Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin.

A Strategic Promotion Amidst Industry Transformation

The elevation of an internal candidate is a clear vote of confidence from Essential’s senior leadership. The move ensures that institutional knowledge remains at the core of the company's forward-looking strategy, a critical factor as Essential navigates a complex landscape of infrastructure demands and market consolidation.

“Alexis has been an important part of this company for years, and we’re excited to see him excel in his new role,” said Colleen Arnold, President of Aqua. “His experience and internal knowledge will be critical in supporting our growth as a company.”

This sentiment was echoed by the company's top executive. “I am thrilled to see Alexis serve Essential Utilities in an expanded role, while still bringing his exceptional value as my Chief of Staff,” said Christopher Franklin, Chairman and CEO. “I know he will continue to be an incredible asset as he leads the Strategy and Corporate Development team.”

Rodriguez’s promotion comes as Essential is executing a multi-billion-dollar capital investment plan and pursuing a vigorous acquisition strategy. His leadership will be pivotal in deploying this capital effectively and identifying new municipal systems to bring under the Aqua and Peoples brands, which currently serve approximately 5.5 million people across nine states.

The Architect of Future Growth

Rodriguez's career trajectory makes him uniquely suited to pilot a modern utility's growth engine. Before joining Essential in 2020 as a manager on the Strategy and Corporate Development team, he spent nine years as an electrical engineer at Siemens Energy. This foundational experience provides him with a deep, technical understanding of the complex infrastructure assets that form the backbone of the utility business.

Following his engineering career, Rodriguez transitioned to the world of high finance, spending over four years in investment banking at Credit Suisse after earning an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. This period honed his skills in financial modeling, valuation, and deal-making—competencies that are central to the role of corporate development, particularly in a sector ripe for consolidation.

This combination of operational understanding and financial acumen is a powerful asset. It allows for a more holistic evaluation of M&A targets, weighing not just the financial returns but also the operational challenges and synergies involved in integrating new water and wastewater systems. His five years inside Essential have layered on a crucial third element: a nuanced understanding of the company's specific culture, strategic priorities, and regulatory environments.

Navigating a Landscape of Consolidation and Investment

Rodriguez takes the strategic lead at a time when the U.S. utility sector is defined by two powerful currents: the urgent need to modernize aging infrastructure and a wave of industry consolidation. Essential’s strategy is a direct response to both. The company has outlined a plan to invest approximately $7.8 billion in its systems through 2029, with up to $1.5 billion earmarked for 2025 alone. These funds are targeted at critical projects, including the replacement of thousands of miles of aging pipelines and addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.

Simultaneously, Essential has been a key player in consolidating the highly fragmented municipal water market. Its acquisition-driven growth model focuses on purchasing smaller public systems that may lack the capital or expertise to meet rising operational and regulatory demands. The July 2025 finalization of a $37.75 million deal to acquire the City of Beaver Falls wastewater system in Pennsylvania was the company’s sixth such acquisition in just 18 months, underscoring the relentless pace of this strategy. Rodriguez will now be directly responsible for identifying, evaluating, and executing these crucial transactions.

The Shadow of a Mega-Merger

The most significant factor shaping Rodriguez’s new mandate is the monumental, all-stock merger agreement announced in October 2025 between Essential Utilities and its largest competitor, American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK). Valued at $20.24 billion, the proposed transaction would create an undisputed titan in the American water utility sector, serving a combined 4.7 million connections with a rate base of nearly $30 billion.

While the deal awaits a complex and lengthy regulatory approval process across 17 states, its strategic implications are immense. The combined entity aims to finance a staggering $28 billion in system improvements over the next five years, a scale of investment that would be difficult for either company to achieve alone. For Rodriguez, this looming merger adds another layer of complexity and opportunity to his role. He will be responsible for executing Essential's standalone growth strategy while simultaneously preparing for a potential integration that would reshape the industry.

As he steps into this expanded leadership position, Rodriguez is tasked not only with advancing Essential's established strategic plan but also with navigating the path toward a potential future as part of an industry powerhouse. His dual role as a strategic leader and a direct advisor to the CEO places him at the nexus of decision-making during one of the most pivotal chapters in the company's history.