#United States #Illinois American Water #Belleville #Engineering Leadership #John Killips

Illinois American Water Strengthens Engineering Leadership

Illinois American Water, a key player in the water utility sector, has announced a significant addition to its leadership team. As of May 4, 2026, John Killips has taken on the role of Senior Director of Engineering. This strategic appointment bolsters the company's commitment to ensuring that both their infrastructure investments and engineering practices meet the highest standards.

John Killips comes to Illinois American Water with a wealth of experience, having spent over 30 years in the water industry. He previously held the position of Water Collection and Distribution Service Line Lead at GHD Inc., where he supported the linear water market across North America. His extensive experience also includes various roles at Tetra Tech, Inc., where he demonstrated his capability in leading major water infrastructure projects and programs.

In his new role, John will play a crucial part in overseeing how the company directs its capital investments effectively. His primary focus will be on ensuring that infrastructure repairs and replacements are prioritized where they are most needed. The company is dedicated to maintaining resilient and reliable systems for its customers across Illinois. This dedication is underscored by their substantial infrastructure investment, which exceeded $280 million in 2025 alone. This investment included the installation of new pipes, pumps, valves, hydropower facilities, and water treatment technologies, all aimed at improving the quality and reliability of service.

Illinois American Water's President, Rebecca Losli, expressed her confidence in John’s leadership. She stated, "John is a proven leader with deep engineering knowledge and a strong commitment to customers. His experience will help ensure we continue delivering safe, clean, and reliable water service across Illinois." Under his oversight, the company expects to enhance its infrastructure operation methodologies, ultimately delivering better services to its users.

By strengthening its leadership team, Illinois American Water illustrates its ongoing commitment to quality service and infrastructure development. With dedicated staff working tirelessly towards safe and reliable water services for approximately 1.3 million residents in Illinois, this new appointment is anticipated to play a pivotal role in the company's future initiatives in water management and infrastructure improvements.

About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water operates as the largest regulated water utility in the state, employing around 600 professionals dedicated to delivering top-notch water and wastewater services. Its parent company, American Water, is one of the largest regulated water and wastewater service utility providers in the United States, with operations that reach across 14 states and over 14 million customers.

As Illinois American Water aims to enhance its service provision through strong leadership and continuous investments, the company's future in delivering reliable water services looks promising. The appointment of John Killips marks a positive step in the right direction, aligning the company’s engineering ambitions with its overarching goal of providing excellent water services to its community.