After more than eight years, DC Water’s top executive is stepping down. How he earned his reputation for utility management excellence began long before the utility’s resurgence to global recognition.

 By Andrew Farr

“I do what I do well,” George Hawkins says.

Taken out of context, it would seem the CEO and general manager of the District of Columbia Water & Sewer Authority – DC Water – is confidently boasting. But Hawkins doesn’t boast. In this case, he’s merely referring to what he describes as the essence of his job – communicating.