« BOD list

George S. Hawkins
Chief Executive Officer & General Manager
DC Water
Washington, DC

George Hawkins serves as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water). On his arrival in 2009, Mr. Hawkins launched an ambitious agenda to transform DC Water into a customer-oriented enterprise that is driving innovation and delivering improved value to its ratepayers. The core goal is to improve aging infrastructure while complying with stringent regulatory requirements. DC Water is implementing the $2.6 billion Clean Rivers Project to nearly eliminate overflows of sewage and stormwater to the Anacostia and Potomac rivers and Rock Creek. DC Water has invested $950 million to achieve the next level of nutrient reductions to help restore the Chesapeake Bay. DC Water is also nearing completion of a $470 million waste-to-energy program to help manage solids being removed from reclaimed water while generating 13 megawatts of green power. Finally, he tripled the rate of DC Water's program to replace water and sewer infrastructure.

DC Water is also driving industry-leading efforts in customer engagement, including a vibrant social media presence, in science and engineering research and development, and in product development and licensing. DC Water is designing a social media program to encourage innovative ideas from staff and to support a utility driven business incubator for businesses and local jobs. George has also launched DC Water Works! – a program to experiment with cost-efficient techniques to encourage local workforce development and hiring.

Prior to joining DC Water, Mr. Hawkins served as director of the District Department of the Environment (DDOE). Previously, Mr. Hawkins was the executive director several non-profit organizations in New Jersey, including New Jersey Future, the Stony Brook Watershed Association and the NJ Council of Watershed Associations. Mr. Hawkins held senior positions with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and he served Vice President Gore on the National Performance Review, playing an integral role in strengthening environmental protection programs at EPA and OSHA.

Mr. Hawkins began his career practicing law for the Boston firm Ropes & Gray, and is a member of the Bar in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Princeton University and Cum Laude from Harvard Law School. Since 1999, Mr. Hawkins has taught Environmental Law and Policy for the Princeton Environment Institute at Princeton University.