BRYN MAWR, PA — Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) has appointed Sadzi Martha Oliva as president of Aqua Indiana, effective September 2, 2025. Oliva will oversee the utility’s water and wastewater operations, with responsibility for capital investment, regulatory compliance, and customer service across the state.
Oliva most recently served as senior vice president of government relations and community at United Scrap Metal. Her background includes regulatory leadership as a commissioner with the Illinois Commerce Commission, where she weighed consumer interests against infrastructure modernization and utility affordability, as well as senior legal and policy roles with several Illinois state agencies. She is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is fluent in Spanish and French.
“Sadzi’s breadth of experience in both the public and private sectors—spanning regulatory leadership, legal expertise and community engagement—make her uniquely suited to lead Aqua Indiana into its next chapter,” said Colleen Arnold, president of Aqua. “Her proven ability to navigate complex operational environments, foster collaboration and deliver results will be a tremendous asset to our customers, employees and the communities we serve.”
Oliva succeeds Bob Ervin, who is retiring after more than 27 years in leadership roles with Aqua and its predecessor companies. Ervin first worked with Consumers Water Company and Philadelphia Suburban Corporation in the late 1980s and 1990s, later returning to Aqua in 2011 as area manager for Illinois customers in Danville. He rose to operations director in 2019, became president of Aqua Illinois in 2022, and later that year assumed leadership of Aqua Indiana.
“Bob’s steady leadership, deep operational expertise and unwavering commitment to our mission has left a lasting imprint on Aqua,” Arnold said. “He’s been a trusted colleague and an exceptional ambassador for our values.”
Oliva described her new role as an opportunity to advance Aqua Indiana’s long-term priorities. “It’s an honor to join Aqua Indiana and build upon the strong foundation Bob and his team have created,” she said. “I look forward to working alongside our team, community partners, and regulators to continue delivering safe, reliable water and wastewater services while investing in the infrastructure that will serve Hoosiers for generations to come.”
The leadership change reflects Essential Utilities’ focus on continuity and growth as it expands its water and wastewater footprint across key U.S. markets.
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