Essential Utilities Inc. has announced the appointment of Sadzi Martha Oliva as the new President of Aqua Indiana. Oliva, most recently Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Community at United Scrap Metal, will lead Aqua Indiana’s water and wastewater operations, overseeing capital investment, regulatory compliance and customer service across the state. Her appointment, effective September 2, 2025, reflects Essential’s commitment to leadership continuity and strategic growth.
“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’s career includes serving as a Commissioner with the Illinois Commerce Commission, where she balanced the interests of consumers and utilities on issues such as infrastructure modernization, affordability and water system reliability. She also held senior leadership and legal roles with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. She is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is fluent in Spanish and French.
This leadership transition follows the retirement of Bob Ervin, who steps down after more than 27 years across two chapters with Aqua and its predecessor companies. Ervin first served in the late 1980s and 1990s in leadership roles with Consumers Water Company and Philadelphia Suburban Corporation (later acquired by Aqua) and returned to Aqua in 2011 as area manager for Aqua Illinois’ Danville customers. He was promoted to operations director in 2019, named president of Aqua Illinois in 2022, and later that year transitioned to lead Aqua Indiana. Throughout his career, he was known for improving operations, fostering strong community partnerships, and delivering high-quality service to customers across the state.
“Bob’s steady leadership, deep operational expertise and unwavering commitment to our mission has left a lasting imprint on Aqua,” said Arnold. “He’s been a trusted colleague and an exceptional ambassador for our values, and we wish him nothing but the best as he begins this next chapter.”
“It’s an honor to join Aqua Indiana and build upon the strong foundation Bob and his team have created,” said Oliva. “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.”
