The Delaware River Basin Commission Monday announced that Steven J. Tambini has accepted the position of Executive Director, effective August 1, 2014.

“We are pleased to welcome Steve Tambini as the DRBC Executive Director,” said Commission Chair Pro Tem Michele Siekerka, who represents New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. “Steve’s background and experiences are sure to be of great benefit to the ongoing work of the commission.”

A formal resolution officially appointing Mr. Tambini will receive action by the commissioners at their next business meeting on March 12. He succeeds Carol R. Collier, who is retiring on that date after 15 years of service.

“Carol Collier has been a dedicated advocate for the protection of the natural resources and potable water supply in the Delaware River Basin,” Ms. Siekerka said. “Her dedication and leadership at DRBC will be greatly missed.”

Chief Administrative Officer Richard C. Gore will serve as Acting Executive Director until Mr. Tambini assumes his new duties on August 1.

Mr. Tambini, 54, is a native of New York and a long-time resident of Burlington County, N.J. He brings over 30 years of experience in water supply engineering and water resource planning, management and operations to the DRBC.

Prior to his current position as Vice President of Operations at Pennsylvania American Water, Mr. Tambini held important leadership posts at New Jersey American Water. He played a key role in the planning, implementation and regulatory approval for the development of New Jersey American’s Delaware River Regional Water Treatment plant and Tri-County Water Supply, which successfully addressed regional groundwater decline in South Jersey and continues to provide water supply to numerous N.J. communities in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.

During his career, Mr. Tambini has also provided engineering leadership to American Water subsidiaries serving 12 other states that encompassed a wide range of water resource and water supply challenges and projects.

Mr. Tambini’s work on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the Delaware River has allowed him to develop and build relationships with regulators and stakeholders throughout the basin. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin, the National Association of Water Companies – Pennsylvania Section, and the Rancocas Conservancy.

Mr. Tambini previously served on the board of trustees for the American Water Works Association – New Jersey Section (AWWA NJ) and he chaired the AWWA NJ Water Utility Council, which was responsible for legislative and policy issues related to water.

He was a member of the New Jersey Governor’s Water Supply Advisory Council for a number of years, where he represented his industry and worked with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection on numerous water supply and water resource initiatives, including the development of the Water Supply Master Plan.

Steve Tambini holds a B.S. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering, both from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. He is a registered professional engineer in New Jersey and New York.

Mr. Tambini will be only the fourth executive director in the DRBC’s 53-year history. The incumbent, Carol Collier, was appointed in 1998. Preceding them were Gerald M. Hansler (appointed in 1977) and James F. Wright (appointed in 1962). Mr. Tambini’s selection concludes a national search process undertaken by the commissioners that began soon after Ms. Collier announced her retirement plans in September.

NewsClip: Water Utility Exec Tapped To Lead Delaware River Basin Commission

3/17/2014