# John Griffith

> John C. Griffith is president and chief executive officer of American Water. A former utility mergers and acquisitions banker and renewable fuels CEO, he joined the company as CFO in 2022, became president in August 2024, and CEO in May 2025. His tenure includes infrastructure investment and the proposed merger with Essential Utilities.

- **Role:** President and Chief Executive Officer at American Water
- **Organizations:** American Water, Bank of America Securities, HighWave Energy, Merrill Lynch & Co., Student Partner Alliance, Choose New Jersey CEO Council
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Davidson College, MBA in Finance; graduated with honors, Columbia Business School
- **Known for:** Advanced from American Water CFO to president and then CEO between 2022 and 2025., Led American Water during 2025, when the company reported $3.2 billion of capital investment and 18 acquisitions across seven states., Named prospective CEO of the combined American Water and Essential Utilities business, subject to completion of the merger.

## Career timeline

- **1995-2008** — Held positions of increasing responsibility at Merrill Lynch & Co.
- **2008-2014** — CEO of renewable fuels start-up HighWave Energy.
- **2014-2022** — Managing director at Bank of America Securities, leading regulated utilities and renewable energy M&A.
- **2022-05** — Joined American Water as executive vice president and chief financial officer.
- **2024-08** — Became American Water president, effective August 1.
- **2025-05** — Became president and CEO on May 14, succeeding Susan Hardwick.
- **2025-10** — American Water announced its proposed merger with Essential Utilities; Griffith was designated to lead the combined company after closing.

## Achievements

- Advanced from American Water CFO to president and then CEO between 2022 and 2025.
- Led American Water during 2025, when the company reported $3.2 billion of capital investment and 18 acquisitions across seven states.
- Named prospective CEO of the combined American Water and Essential Utilities business, subject to completion of the merger.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — American Water continued announcing leadership arrangements conditional on merger closing; its October 8 announcement still anticipated closing by the end of Q1 2027.
- **2026-08** — The companies announced expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period on August 14; remaining closing conditions still applied.
- **2026-06** — Griffith informed employees that decisions on the next level of combined-company leadership had been made, with changes effective only after closing.
- **2026-02** — Both companies’ shareholders approved merger-related proposals on February 10.

## Links

- Website: https://ir.amwater.com/governance/board-of-directors/person-details/default.aspx?ItemId=54d4cbb7-44c7-4182-8748-dde8646c1245
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-griffith-7606b32bb

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-griffith
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21