Cheryl Norton serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for American Water. Ms. Norton is responsible for the successful performance of American Water’s regulated state subsidiaries. She also leads customer service across the company’s footprint, as well as systemwide Engineering, Health and Safety, and Environmental and Regulatory Compliance.
Previously, Ms. Norton served as president of New Jersey American Water, where she was the principal external contact for American Water in New Jersey, serving approximately 2.8 million people. Additionally, she served as senior vice president of the company’s Eastern Division, which was comprised of New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Maryland. Ms. Norton was also the company’s Chief Environmental Officer, overseeing environmental leadership and compliance across American Water’s national footprint.
Ms. Norton has also served as president of Missouri American Water for three years, and in the same role for Kentucky American Water for five years. A native of Missouri, Ms. Norton started her career with American Water in 1988 as a microbiology research technician at the company’s central laboratory in Belleville, Ill., which provides services for American Water subsidiaries across the country. From 2000 to 2007, she served as the laboratory’s director overseeing companywide chemical compliance testing. In 2007, Ms. Norton was appointed Vice President of Operations for Illinois American Water.
Ms. Norton serves on the boards of the Cooper Health System and The Water Research Foundation.
Ms. Norton received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in environmental studies from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.