#United States #Camden #Scholarships #American Water #James V. LaFrankie

American Water Announces Scholarship Awardees for 2026

American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the United States, has announced the recipients of its annual James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards. This initiative, which honors the legacy of James V. LaFrankie— a former president of the company—grants scholarships to outstanding college-bound students who are children of full-time American Water employees.

The scholarship program reflects American Water's commitment to fostering educational advancement and supporting the aspirations of its employees' families. This year, ten students have been awarded a scholarship of $1,000 each, which is renewable for up to three years, contingent on their academic performance.

Lori Sutton, the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of American Water, expressed pride in the scholarships' role in nurturing the next generation of leadership in the water sector. "We are proud to support the academic growth and future aspirations of our employees' families through the James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards," Sutton stated, highlighting the company's investment in its workforce as a fundamental value.

A total of 96 applications were reviewed by an independent third-party organization, which narrowed the candidates down to ten deserving high school seniors. Factors such as academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and teacher recommendations played pivotal roles in the selection process.

The recipients for 2026 include:

• - Nicholas Furia son of Nick Furia, VP and Treasurer
• - Vanessa Geist daughter of Marie Geist, Principal of Supply Chain
• - Meea Irwin daughter of Ryan Irwin, Superintendent of Operations
• - Wyatt Kinman son of Jason Kinman, a Serviceman
• - Lily Lapham daughter of Tony Lapham, Production-Treatment Operator II
• - Blaise Leonardo son of Charles Leonardo, Sr. Manager of Meter Quality
• - Katherine Liu daughter of Yanjin Liu, Sr. Manager of Engineering Planning
• - Gemma LoGrippo daughter of Mark LoGrippo, Sr. Business Development Manager
• - Tyler Rotkowitz son of Holly Rotkowitz, Sr. Director of HR Operations
• - Benjamin Walker son of Shannyn Allen, Lead Planning Engineer

Established in 1991, this scholarship program honors LaFrankie’s dedication to education, which he demonstrated throughout his career, notably by pursuing a degree from Georgetown University while working at the Alexandria Virginia Water Company. His commitment and leadership in the industry left a significant mark, culminating in his role as president of American Water until his retirement in 1991.

American Water has been a pivotal player in providing regulated water and wastewater services since 1886, currently serving approximately 14 million people spread across 14 states. The company employs around 7,000 professionals committed to excellence in water resource management while ensuring accessibility, safety, and quality for its customers.

As celebrated on its 140th anniversary in 2026, American Water continues to embrace its mission, summarizing it perfectly with its motto—“We Keep Life Flowing®.” For further insights and updates on their community efforts, visit American Water's website or connect on their social media platforms.