H2O America, a leading investor-owned, pure-play water and wastewater utility, announced the appointment of Nicholas Whitley as vice president of business development, effective December 22. In this role, Whitley will lead H2O America’s business development initiatives, including the identification, evaluation and execution of strategic growth opportunities that expand the company’s water and wastewater footprint and support long-term, sustainable growth.
“Nick brings deep transaction expertise, strategic discipline and a proven ability to scale infrastructure platforms,” said Andrew Walters, chief executive officer of H2O America. “His leadership and experience across complex, multi-jurisdictional acquisitions will be instrumental as we continue to grow responsibly and serve more communities across the country.”
Whitley will lead H2O America’s business development initiatives, including the identification, evaluation and execution of strategic growth opportunities
Whitley joins H2O America with more than 20 years of experience in corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, and infrastructure investing across the utility, energy and industrial sectors. Most recently, he served as managing director of business development at NW Natural Holdings, where he set strategic priorities for inorganic growth across the water, wastewater and natural gas businesses. During his tenure, he led and executed more than 30 acquisitions, helping transform the company from a single-asset utility into a diversified infrastructure holding company operating across multiple states.
Previously, Whitley held senior business development and M&A leadership roles at GE Oil & Gas, where he supported global inorganic growth initiatives, and served as separation management officer for the carve-out from Schlumberger that became Wellbore Integrity Solutions, a transaction recognized as ACG Houston’s Cross-Border Deal of the Year. Earlier in his career, he worked in investment banking and restructuring at Nomura International (formerly Lehman Brothers) and Houlihan Lokey, advising corporate and private equity clients on complex domestic and cross-border transactions.
Whitley holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration in finance, and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
