THE YORK WATER COMPANY ANNOUNCES PRESIDENT HINES WILL RETIRE NEXT YEAR AND JT HAND WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT AND CEO
JUNE 25, 2019, YORK, PENNSYLVANIA –
The Board of Directors of The York Water Company (NASDAQ:YORW) at its Board meeting on June 24th, accepted President Jeffrey R. Hines’ letter of retirement and unanimously approved the appointment of Joseph T. (JT) Hand as the company’s 22nd President and Chief Executive Officer. The effective date for the retirement and transition to Mr. Hand will be March 1, 2020.
President Hines, 58, who has been President and CEO since 2008, will retire on the 12th anniversary of his appointment as President and his 30th anniversary with the Company. Mr. George Hodges, Chairman of the Board, stated that “Jeff has been an incredible force at York Water over the past 30 years and we will miss his collaborative and humble leadership style. However, he has indicated that he will continue to work tirelessly for our community as he currently serves on over 20 boards, committees, and organizations.”
Mr. Hand, 56, was selected for the post after a thorough review by the Board of Directors. Mr. Hand has served the past 12 years as Chief Operating Officer of York Water. He is currently responsible for all operations, engineering, technology, and customer service functions. Mr. Hand has also served as the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies. Locally, Mr. Hand serves on many boards and charities and has served as Chairman of the following York County organizations: York County United Way, the Children’s Home of York, DreamWrights, and the Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York County.
Prior to his service with York Water, Mr. Hand retired as a Lieutenant-Colonel after a distinguished 22 year career with the US Army Corps of Engineers, serving in a variety of positions including Deputy Commander of the Baltimore District. Mr. Hand’s Army service included deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan where he earned the Bronze Star Medal.
Mr. Hand has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont, is a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College, and is currently completing an MBA from York College of Pennsylvania.
In commenting on Mr. Hand’s appointment, Chairman Hodges stated that “JT has been a leader of York Water’s operations and expansion for the past 12 years and has provided a tremendous benefit to the Company and the York community. JT’s integrity, competence, and leadership have been instrumental in York Water’s growth. JT has been responsible for 20 acquisitions while at the same time insuring our water supply is prepared for the next 200 years of service to our growing community. JT has the perfect credentials and experience to continue to provide leadership, customer service, shareholder value, and growth for our publicly traded and community based water supply.”
The York Water Company was founded in 1816 and is the oldest investor owned company in the nation. York Water currently provides water service to over 70,000 water and wastewater customers in 48 communities in south-central Pennsylvania.