Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> July 26, 2012

American States Water Company (AWR)

Sprowls, Robert J.
Robert J. Sprowls is President and Chief Executive Officer of American States Water Company (AWR). Mr. Sprowls holds similar titles and responsibilities for AWR subsidiaries Golden State Water Company, Chaparral City Water Company, and American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries. He is also a member of the board of directors of AWR and each of its subsidiaries. Mr. Sprowls joined American States Water Company in June 2004 as Senior Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary. He was promoted to Executive Vice President – Finance, CFO, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary in January 2008, and to his present position in January 2009. Prior to joining American States Water Company, Mr. Sprowls spent 21 years at CILCORP Inc., a public utility holding company with several subsidiaries including Central Illinois Light Company, an electric and gas utility serving 200,000 electric customers and 210,000 gas customers. During his tenure with CILCORP, Mr. Sprowls held positions as President, Business Unit Leader – Energy Delivery, CFO and Treasurer of Central Illinois Light Company; CFO of CILCORP’s nonregulated subsidiaries; and various other positions. He was a member of the board of directors of CILCORP and Central Illinois Light Company from 1999 to 2003. Mr. Sprowls left CILCORP following the sale of the company to Ameren Corporation in 2003. Mr. Sprowls is currently a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the National Association of Water Companies and a member of the Southern California Leadership Council. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business administration from Knox College in Illinois, and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in accounting and finance from Bradley University, also in Illinois. Mr. Sprowls is a certified public accountant and a certified management accountant.     Profile
TWST: Earlier in July, the California Public Utilities Commission approved your cost of capital application. Please tell us what getting that approval means for the company’s shareholders and