Longtime leader Charlie Stevenson now filling Essential role

Charlie Stevenson, who most recently served as Aqua’s vice president of fleet, supply chain and facilities, was tapped to lead Essential’s fleet operations across the Aqua and Peoples footprints as vice president, fleet.

Stevenson joined Aqua Pennsylvania in 1987 as a mechanic in fleet operations and throughout his career has steadily increased in his roles and responsibilities. As he settles into his new position, Stevenson sat down to answer some questions about his work life thus far and his excitement for what’s ahead.

What’s your background with the organization?

I started at Aqua Pennsylvania in 1987 as a mechanic in fleet operations. At that time, we had about 250 vehicles in our fleet. Over the years, I expanded my areas of management to include fleet, supply chain and facilities, and worked my way up to vice president of these areas in 2016. I have always looked forward to taking on new areas. Today, I will lead the 2,200-vehicle fleet for Essential, with a focus on providing safe and reliable vehicles for our employees.

What excites you about the work you do and what’s ahead in your career?

I think at the highest level it’s being able to develop consistency and drive strategies and standards in the areas I’ve helped to oversee. On top of that and more importantly, it’s being able to work with great people across our organization and develop relationships with so many that are both my colleagues and my friends. I look forward to making even more friends in the time ahead.

What advice do you have for other employees hoping to build long-term success within the organization?

First, it’s making sure to treat others the way you want to be treated. Your attitude goes a long way in helping you build a long career. It’s also about holding true to your style. For me, I’d much rather pick up the phone and have a conversation about a project or issue (or meet in person when we can) when possible. I am a big believer in relationships helping to guide and grow careers. Remember to hold true to yourself, create those relationships with others and be someone they can trust. I’m proof that operating like that can help lead to success.

When asked to offer some words about what Stevenson has meant to the organization and his colleagues throughout his career, Essential’s Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin and Chief Administrative Officer Sue Haindl focused on the significant impacts he’s made.

“Charlie is the definition of a company man. In every interaction, Charlie demonstrates our values of respect, integrity and excellence. His loyalty to the success of our company over the last 33 years has been amazing to watch,” said Franklin. “Charlie is a great example of a person that steadily worked his way up the ladder by adding strong value at each rung and by always putting people first. He has been one of my key go-to people when I need something done well. I am very pleased to have such an experienced member of my team handling the vehicles that will safely transport our people and our materials more than 32 million miles each year.”

Haindl also shared her pride for Stevenson’s accomplishments, a list “too long to include in full.”

“The common theme I see in Charlie’s time with the company so far is his focus on improvement,” said Haindl. “Whether that be in his advancement of training opportunities for his staff, his leadership around the organization’s supplier diversity efforts and metrics, his focus on improving inventory turns and vendor relationships, his efforts to standardize Aqua’s meter operations, or his ability to help the company achieve cost savings year-over-year, Charlie lives and breathes improvement. I am so proud to work alongside him and look forward to his future success.”