Jean Block named CEO of LR Water Reclamation Authority
by July 22, 2023 9:29 am 1,509 views
Jean Block was selected as the next CEO of the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority (LRWRA), effective August 14, 2023. She is replacing Greg Ramon, who retired as CEO after nine years leading the utility.
Block brings 11 years of experience in helping lead LRWRA through many aspects of the utility, including four years serving on the commission overseeing the authority. Block has been the utility’s Chief Legal Officer and oversees the Human Resources and Environmental Affairs Departments. She has also been involved in budget planning and long-term capital planning.
“The Commission is extremely pleased to have such an exceptional candidate to lead the utility. We are confident in Jean’s ability to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability for the utility,” said Schawnee Hightower, Chairman of the Little Rock Water Reclamation Commission. “We also want to thank Greg for the many accomplishments during his 9-year tenure as the CEO. His leadership and continuous improvement philosophy have placed the utility in a strong financial position as well as continually challenging staff to provide the best service to the residents of Little Rock.”
Block, who joined the team in 2016 as the Chief Legal Officer, will be the sixth CEO in the utility’s history and the first woman to serve as CEO.
“I am thrilled to hand over the reins to Jean,” said Ramon. “I believe the Commission made an excellent choice, and I have full confidence in her ability to continue the great work and lead the utility. She possesses exceptional leadership skills and a strategic vision that will continue the utility’s mission of serving the community by protecting public health and the environment.”
The Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority is the largest wastewater utility in Arkansas with 221 employees, operating and maintaining 1,400 miles of sewer pipeline collection system as well as three state-of-the-art water reclamation facilities with a treatment capacity of 156 million gallons a day.