PR Newswire·Oct 8, 2026, 4:10 PM ET

Brad Nielsen Named Future President of Pennsylvania American Water

Brad Nielsen is named President of Pennsylvania American Water effective upon the closing of American Water's proposed merger with Essential Utilities.
Nielsen will report to Justin Ladner, who serves as Senior Vice President for State Operations covering Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Illinois.
Nielsen currently leads Iowa American Water as President, a role he has held since July 2024 after joining the company in 2019.
He brings over 20 years of leadership experience, including 17 years with Aramark Uniform Services where he served as Vice President of Operations.
Nielsen holds bachelor's degrees in finance and business administration from Mount Mercy University in Iowa.
American Water will initiate a search for Nielsen's successor as President of Iowa American Water.
The all-stock merger announced on October 27, 2025, will create a combined entity serving over 4.7 million water/wastewater connections and 740,000 gas connections.
The combined company will operate under the American Water name with its headquarters in Camden, New Jersey.
The merger is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals from public utility commissions.
American Water serves approximately 14 million people across 14 states, while Essential Utilities serves approximately 5.5 million people across nine states.