Prime Highlights
- H2O America has named Nicholas Whitley as vice president of business development to lead its growth and expansion strategy.
- Whitley brings over 20 years of experience in infrastructure investing, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate development.
Key Facts
- Before joining H2O America, Whitley led more than 30 acquisitions at NW Natural Holdings, helping expand it into a multi-state infrastructure platform.
- H2O America serves over 1.6 million people through about 407,000 water and wastewater connections across several US states.
Background
H2O America, a US-based water and wastewater utility company, has appointed Nicholas Whitley as vice president of business development, effective immediately. The company announced the appointment on Monday.
In his new role, Whitley will lead H2O America’s business development strategy. He will focus on finding and executing growth opportunities to expand the company’s water and wastewater operations across its service areas.
Whitley brings more than two decades of experience in corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, and infrastructure investing. Before joining H2O America, he served as managing director of business development at NW Natural Holdings. During his tenure, he led more than 30 acquisitions that helped turn the company from a single-asset utility into a diversified infrastructure group operating in multiple states.
Earlier in his career, Whitley held senior roles at GE Oil & Gas and worked as a separation management officer during the carve-out that formed Wellbore Integrity Solutions. He also worked in investment banking and restructuring at Nomura International and Houlihan Lokey.
Andrew Walters, chief executive officer of H2O America, said Whitley brings strong transaction experience and a proven track record in scaling infrastructure platforms. He added that Whitley’s expertise will support the company’s long-term growth plans.
Whitley holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
H2O America operates around 407,000 water and wastewater service connections through its regional utilities in Connecticut, Maine, San Jose and Texas, serving more than 1.6 million people.
Separately, the company recently reported strong third-quarter results, posting earnings per share of $1.27, above market expectations. It also narrowed its full-year 2025 guidance to the higher end of its earlier range. Following the results, BofA Securities raised its price target on the stock to $59 and kept a Buy rating.
H2O America also announced a planned board transition, with CEO Andrew Walters set to become chair in February 2026 following the retirement of the current non-executive chair.
