NEWS RELEASE
December 3, 2002

Note to editors: A digital photograph of Mr. Rhoades may be obtained by calling 278-7850, ext. 3209.

MDC BOARD APPOINTS M. STEPHEN RHOADES
AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

HARTFORD – The Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) has appointed M. Stephen Rhoades as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), beginning in January 2003.

“I look forward to serving the citizens of the greater Hartford region and the employees of the MDC,” Mr. Rhoades said.  “It is a privilege to continue public service with leadership responsibilities. I am confident of the Board’s commitment to serve the interests of its citizens and I am anxious to contribute to this regional team effort,” he said.

George H. Sparks, the MDC’s Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer, will work closely with Mr. Rhoades to ensure a smooth transition.

Mr. Rhoades retired from the U.S. Army at the end of November at the rank of  Brigadier General. He served as Division Engineer for the North Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, based at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, N.Y. He has extensive experience in areas similar to the MDC’s operations, including responsibility for reservoir security in the Eastern United States after September 11, 2001. His overall duties with the Army Corps of Engineers involved overseeing extensive regional water resource and environmental needs in the Northeast. The North Atlantic Division owns and operates the Washington Aqueduct, which provides drinking water to more than 1 million customers in Washington, D.C., and several suburbs in Virginia. The North Atlantic Division also operates eight recreation sites in Connecticut, including Black Rock Lake, Hancock Brook Lake and Thomaston Dam. Mr. Rhoades has been responsible for overseeing the Division, which has an annual budget of $2.5 billion, and reports to the U.S. Army Chief of Engineers

MDC Commissioner Marilyn F. Cohen, Chairman of the MDC’s Personnel Pension and Insurance Committee and Chairman of the CEO Search Committee, said that Mr. Rhoades was selected after an extensive, nationwide search, which was conducted with the assistance of the firm Beam & Associates.

“We are very pleased to have someone with Mr. Rhoades’ experience in engineering and water resource management,” said Mrs. Cohen. “In addition to his excellent technical background, he is a strong, respected leader, team builder and communicator. These skills will be invaluable as the MDC focuses on strengthening our core services of providing quality drinking water and wastewater services, solid waste services and parks maintenance in the coming years.”

Albert F. Reichin, MDC Chairman, thanked the Search Committee members for their work, from developing selection criteria for the next CEO to interviewing candidates and recommending the selection of Mr. Rhoades. “The Committee worked diligently to make sure they found the right person for the job. We believe that we have found the right person in Mr. Rhoades. He has earned praise for his work in managing a diverse civilian and military work force. The vast majority of employees in the Army Corps of Engineers are civilians and he has been recognized for his ability to inspire and involve employees in all facets of decision-making as well as in finding creative solutions for complex problems,” said Mr. Reichin.

Mr. Rhoades assumed command of the North Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in August 1999. He was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers after receiving an Engineering Degree from the University of Florida in 1973.

After receiving a Master’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Florida in 1980, Mr. Rhoades was assigned to the U.S. Army Engineer Division, Europe where he served in Turkey.

During Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations in the Persian Gulf, he commanded the 3d Engineer Battalion (Combat), 24th Infantry Division (MECH). He later was assigned to the Department of Army Staff with the Office of the Chief of Engineers and the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. He commanded the Engineer Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (MECH), which deployed and conducted peace operations in Bosnia. 

He assumed duties as Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Engineer Center and Fort Leonard Wood in August 1997. These responsibilities were followed by assignment as Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Engineer Center and Fort Leonard Wood through July 1999.

Mr. Rhoades is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic Course; Engineer Officer Advanced Course; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University.

Mr. Reichin thanked Mr. Sparks for his service as interim CEO. “George stepped in and did a marvelous job in leading the staff and in addressing some of the critical issues and projects confronting the MDC. We have been fortunate to have someone with his expertise and leadership and he will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth transition,” Mr. Reichin said.  

A non-profit municipal corporation chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1929, the MDC supplies water and sewer services to its eight member municipalities: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. The MDC supplies treated water to the Town of Portland and portions of Glastonbury, East Granby, South Windsor and Farmington. The MDC owns and operates two three-megawatt hydroelectric power stations, one at the Goodwin Dam in Hartland and one at the Colebrook River Dam in Colebrook.

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