Chairman and CEO Michael J. Chesser said Simunovich’s considerable executive experience in marketing, sales and governmental affairs will add a valuable dimension to United Water’s board. “Joe Simunovich has been a community, governmental and business leader for many years,” Chesser said. “I look forward to working with Joe and the rest of the board to build a bright future for United Water.”

Simunovich previously served as President and Chief of Staff of United Water Management and Services, a company that provides executive oversight and support to all of United Water’s regulated and non-regulated companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Simunovich’s earlier assignments included Senior Vice President and Vice President.

Active in governmental and civic associations, Simunovich was appointed by Governor Kean in 1986 as a member of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). He has since been re-appointed to the authority by New Jersey Governors Florio and Whitman for six consecutive terms and has the longest tenure in the NJ EDA’s history. Simunovich continues to serve as EDA Vice Chairman. Simunovich is also Chairman of the Bergen County Economic Development Corporation and served as a trustee and officer of the board of New Jersey City University from 1991 to 1999.

He is also 1st Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors at Hackensack University Medical Center, where he has served on the board for the past 10 years. Simunovich was a Hudson County Freeholder for 12 years, three of them as Director/Chairman of the Board.

Simunovich received his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and a Masters in Business Management equivalent from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He has also completed post-graduate coursework at Carnegie Institute and guest lectured at Rutgers University School of Business.

Based in Harrington Park, NJ, United Water has been engaged in water-related businesses and real estate investments since 1869. United Water provides water and wastewater services through its regulated utilities and non-regulated municipal contract operations to more than 7.5 million people in over 400 communities in 16 states. United Water is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ondeo Services, the world leader in water management services supplying over 115 million people with water and wastewater services. Ondeo is the water division of Suez (NYSE:SZE)