American Water Names Iowa Chief Brad Nielsen Future Head Of Pennsylvania American Water
The pick takes effect only when the all-stock Essential Utilities merger closes, which the companies expect by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
American Water said Brad Nielsen, now president of Iowa American Water, will become president of Pennsylvania American Water when its merger with Essential Utilities closes, according to a joint press release filed with the SEC on Thursday. It is the first leadership pick the release names for the combined company's Pennsylvania operations.
What the release says
Nielsen will lead all operations in Pennsylvania. He will report to Justin Ladner, who will serve as senior vice president of state operations for Pennsylvania, Missouri and Illinois.
Cheryl Norton, American Water's executive vice president and chief operating officer, called Nielsen "a proven leader with deep operational experience and a strong commitment to our customers, employees and communities."
Nielsen has been president of Iowa American Water since July 2024. He joined that unit in 2019 as vice president of operations, and he now leads 80 employees serving approximately 225,000 people across Iowa.
Before American Water, he spent 17 years with Aramark Uniform Services, including a stint as vice president of operations. The release says he has more than 20 years of operations and leadership experience and holds degrees in finance and in business administration and management from Mount Mercy University in Iowa.
What it changes for the deal
The appointment depends on the merger closing. The all-stock deal, announced October 27, 2025, is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027. It still needs approval from the remaining applicable public utility commissions.
The combined company would serve more than 4.7 million water and wastewater customer connections and more than 740,000 gas customer connections. It would operate under the American Water name and be headquartered in Camden, New Jersey.
In market data, Essential shares closed at $38.72 on Thursday and were at $38.55 in Thursday after-hours trading, an early, indicative reading.
What to watch
American Water said it will begin the process of naming Nielsen's successor in Iowa and will share more when the selection is finalized.
The next dated marker is the end of the first quarter of 2027, the companies' target for closing, which hinges on the remaining utility commission approvals.
