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Nicholas DeBenedictis was elected Chairman of Aqua America Inc. (NYSE: WTR) in May 1993 10 months after joining the corporation as its President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of its principal subsidiary Aqua Pennsylvania Inc.
Prior to joining Aqua America DeBenedictis spent three years (1989-1992) as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs for Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) a $4 billion nuclear utility. He was responsible for government relations economic development and environmental policies plus implementation of the utility's public policy positions.
From 1986 to 1989 DeBenedictis was president of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He successfully designed and implemented various economic and business development programs to service the Chamber's growing small business membership and represented the regional business community before local state and federal legislative bodies. The Philadelphia Chamber's overall membership dramatically increased to more than 5 500 businesses putting it among the five largest in the nation.
DeBenedictis served in two cabinet positions in Pennsylvania government: Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources (1983-1986) and Director of the Office of Economic Development (1981-1983).
DeBenedictis received a Bachelor's degree in business administration from Drexel University in 1968 and a Master's degree in environmental engineering and science from Drexel in 1969. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers between 1970 and 1973 serving in the rank of Captain.
Now Chairman of the Pennsylvania Business Roundtable and the Executive Committee of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce he also serves on the Board of Directors for many regional businesses economic and environmental organizations. These include: the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Independence Visitor Center Drexel University PNC Bank P.H. Glatfelter Company Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company Met-Pro Corporation Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation and the Pennsylvania Partnership for Economic Education.
DeBenedictis has received numerous awards for public service and civic leadership. They include:
2001 Ambassador Award The Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale
2000 Humanitarian Award Magee Rehabilitation Hospital
2000 Community Leadership Award Riverbend Environmental Center
1998 Business Leader of the Year Award Drexel University
1996 CEO of the Year Chester County Chamber of Commerce and Industry
1995 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America
1992 Williamson Award for Excellence in Community Service Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades
1986 Pennsylvania Resource Council Fox-Calhoun Conservation Award
1979 EPA Silver Medal Award for Superior Service
DeBenedictis has received an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Widener University and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree from Drexel University. | 