GLWA Board of Directors Names Suzanne R. Coffey as its new Chief Executive Officer

 

  • Coffey, a Licensed Professional Engineer in Michigan, has served as Interim CEO since August 2021
  • Extensive knowledge of the regional system and commitment to customer service at all levels called out as a part of Board’s selection
  • Coffey chosen as a part of a nationwide search that drew more than 90 candidates

DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) Board of Directors recently named Suzanne R. Coffey, P.E., as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the state’s largest water and wastewater authority. Coffey, who has been serving as Interim CEO since August 2021, was selected as a part of a nationwide search that drew more than 90 candidates.

“The Board selected Ms. Coffey based on her depth of leadership reflected in her responses to the Board’s questions, her extensive knowledge of the regional system and its operations, as well as her commitment to customer service at all levels,” said Jaye Quadrozzi, Chair, GLWA Board of Directors.

Prior to being appointed Interim CEO, Coffey served as Chief Planning Officer for GLWA, a position she also held at the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department before the Authority was established in 2016. In her capacity as Chief Planning Officer, Coffey championed GLWA’s efforts to bolster the utility’s asset management capacities, capital improvement program execution and analytics, and led long-term planning efforts such as the Wastewater Master Plan. She also was the executive sponsor for the Authority’s robust Member Outreach Program. Coffey also spent more than a decade at the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, where she served in a variety of leadership roles, including as a Chief Engineer.

“I am thankful to the Board and humbled by their confidence in my ability to continue to lead GLWA as its next CEO,” said Coffey. “While we certainly have challenges ahead of us, I look forward to using my decades of operational and technical experience to continue to optimize the performance of the regional system to the greatest benefit of our member partner communities. I am especially excited to continue my public service along-side the dedicated and talented women and men of GLWA who work tirelessly each day to ensure that the people of southeast Michigan are provided with water of unquestionable quality and our natural resources are protected through our environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment.”
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About the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA)
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is the provider-of-choice for drinking water services to nearly 40 percent, and efficient and effective wastewater services to nearly 30 percent, of Michigan’s population. With the Great Lakes as source water, GLWA is uniquely positioned to provide those it serves with water of unquestionable quality. GLWA also has the capacity to extend its services beyond its 88 member partner communities. As part of its commitment to water affordability, the Authority offers a Water Residential Assistance Program to assist low-income households in participating member communities throughout the system. GLWA’s board includes one representative each from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, two representatives from the city of Detroit, and one appointed by the Michigan governor to represent member partner communities outside of the tri-county area.