BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the CEO of Aqua America, Inc. (NYSE:WTR) announced that Kimberly Joyce has been promoted to vice president of regulatory, legislative and external affairs. Joyce will continue to oversee legislative policy at the federal and state levels, regulatory filings, and rate cases. Also among her portfolio of responsibility, Joyce oversees communications and community relations, and the company’s charitable trust.

“Kim's background as regulatory counsel and in legislative policy matters adds huge value to Aqua,” said Chris Franklin. “She is especially adept at working with and educating key stakeholders to ensure Aqua continues its long standing commitment to providing safe and reliable service to its customers and to the community.”

Franklin noted that Joyce has contributed to a number of significant policy milestones in the states where Aqua operates over the years.

“Kim has played an integral role in educating and expanding upon legislative best practices in the water industry including fair market value legislation and improving infrastructure replacement mechanisms,” said Franklin. “These important legislative initiatives help communities across our footprint, and facilitate our ability to replace aging infrastructure.”

Joyce has also spearheaded Aqua partnerships to help others in need. Recently, she forged a partnership with the Villanova School of Engineering to assist families in developing countries that do not have access to safe and reliable drinking water.

An attorney, Joyce spent five years with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission before joining Aqua in 2007. During her tenure at the PUC, she advised the commission on electric, gas and telecommunication matters and defended commission orders before state and federal courts. She previously clerked for Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court President Judge James Gardner Colins and worked for Baker & Botts, LLP in their Washington, D.C. energy and natural resources office.

Joyce earned her J.D. at the University of Pittsburgh and both her B.A. in economics and M.B.A. from Villanova University. She serves on the board of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.

Aqua America is one of the largest U.S.-based, publicly traded water utilities and serves nearly 3 million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana and Virginia. Aqua America is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WTR. Visit AquaAmerica.com for more information.