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Christopher Franklin 

Christopher H. Franklin

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Essential Utilities

Independent Director since 2022

Committees:

  • Safety and Operations (Chair)
  • Audit
  • Governance, Environmental and Sustainability
 

Key Qualifications and Skills Leading to Board Nomination

  • Utility Industry Experience - As the Chief Executive Officer of a public utility company, Mr. Franklin provides key experience and understanding regarding the management of a public utility that provides the Board with valuable insight as the Board oversees the Company’s short- and long-term plans and oversees the Company’s regulatory and legislative priorities for the benefit of the Company’s stakeholders.
  • Technology and Customer Experience - As the Chief Executive Officer of a public utility company, Mr. Franklin provides valuable insight regarding the relationship between a public company and its customers, including as customers continue to seek additional technological resources to improve the customer experience. This insight is critical to the Board and the Company as it continuously seeks to improve its service for the benefit of its customers and communities served.
  • Operations and Safety Experience - As the Chief Executive Officer of a public utility, Mr. Franklin has extensive experience regarding the operations of a utility and managing the utility operations in a safe manner for the communities it operates in and its employees. This experience is critical to the Board as it oversees the Company’s operations, including the safe operation of its facilities for the benefit of the communities it serves and its employees.

Experience

  • Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President (2015 - Present) of Essential Utilities, Inc., a public company providing regulated utilities, including water, wastewater and natural gas, to customers in 10 states; Has served in various roles of increasing responsibilities at Essential Utilities, Inc. (f.k.a. AquaAmerica, Inc.) since 1992

Other Boards (For Profit and Non-Profit Entities)

Public Company

  • Chairman, Essential Utilities, Inc. (2015 - Present)
  • ITC Holdings (2011 - 2016)

Other

  • ​University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees (2015-Present)
  • Franklin Institute of Philadelphia (2017-Present)

Education and Credentials

  • B.S., West Chester University
  • M.B.A., Villanova University
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