Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> June 7, 2004
NICHOLAS DeBENEDICTIS was elected Chairman of Aqua America, Inc.,
(formerly Philadelphia Suburban Corporation) in May 1993, 10 months
after joining the corporation as its President and Chief Executive
Officer, and Chairman of its principal subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania
(formerly Philadelphia Suburban Water Company). Prior to joining Aqua
America, Mr. DeBenedictis spent three years (1989-1992) as Senior Vice
President of Corporate and Public Affairs for PECO Energy, a $4 billion
nuclear utility. He was responsible for government relations, economic
development and environmental policies, plus implementation of the
utility's public policy positions. From 1986 to 1989, Mr. DeBenedictis
was President of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He
successfully designed and implemented various economic and business
development programs to service the Chamber's growing membership, which
dramatically increased to more than 5,500 businesses, putting it among
the five largest in the nation. Mr. DeBenedictis served in two cabinet
positions in Pennsylvania government: Secretary of the Department of
Environmental Resources (1983-1986) and Director of the Office of
Economic Development (1981-1983). He received a Bachelor's degree in
Business Administration from Drexel University in 1968, and a Master's
degree in Environmental Engineering and Science from Drexel in 1969. He
served in the Army Corps of Engineers between 1970 and 1973, reaching
the rank of Captain. Mr. DeBenedictis was named President of the
National Association of Water Companies in October 2003. He is a former
Chairman and now member of the executive committee for both the
Pennsylvania Business Roundtable and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of
Commerce, and he also serves on the Board of Directors for many regional
businesses, economic and environmental organizations. These include:
Drexel University, Exelon Corporation, PNC Bank - Southeast Pennsylvania
Advisory, P.H. Glatfelter Company, and Met-Pro Corporation. Mr.
DeBenedictis has received numerous awards for public service and civic
leadership. He has received an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree from
Widener University and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree from
Drexel University. Profile
treatment companies. What is the extent of those activities today?
Mr. DeBenedictis: Aqua America is in 14 states today,
