Randy E. Hayman, Esq., is commissioner and chief executive officer of Philadelphia Water, and he is dedicated to ensuring the provision of safe and reliable drinking water plus wastewater and stormwater services to more than 1.6 million customers within the city of Philadelphia.
Hayman spearheaded the creation of a comprehensive 25-year Water Revitalization Plan that aims to leverage new technologies and strengthen critical water infrastructure to address the challenges posed by climate change and the demands of a growing population.
To secure the necessary funding, Hayman has been at the forefront of aggressively pursuing federal infrastructure funding. The successful planning of more than 400 projects for the Water Revitalization Plan and the advocacy for federal funds led to a historic presidential visit in February 2023, where $500 million in low- cost infrastructure funding was awarded to the department. To date, Hayman has secured or is closing on financing and grant funding totaling $727 million from state and federal sources, a testament to his leadership and dedication to reducing the burden on water customers.
“As a CEO in the water industry, my greatest leadership lesson is that when confronting these challenges, there is one thing that remains constant: the dedication and commitment of our employees,” Hayman said. “It is through their hard work that as an organization we have been successful in moving the utility forward through demanding times. And in return, we need to continue providing them with the support and training they need to become stronger and live up to their true potential.”
Hayman holds leadership positions in several organizations, including the Water Research Foundation, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Global Philadelphia, Leadership Philadelphia and Philadelphia Titans. Recently, he testified before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, representing the Philadelphia Water Department and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.
“I am a proud Hoya, a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center,” Hayman said. “I started my legal career at a K Street law firm. Nevertheless, I found that I wanted greater immediate litigation experience and later took an opportunity to work as an assistant attorney general for the state of Missouri in Jefferson City, located in the center of the state.
“Moving from the nation’s capital, where I had established a strong professional network, to a few miles outside the Ozarks gave me a lot to ponder. But I entered the adventure with a positive attitude. Taking that challenge was one of the best career decisions I ever made. It allowed me to gain the solid litigation experience that I sought, while greatly broadening my connections and professional network. The experiences I gained greatly formed the foundation of the CEO and professional I am today. And most importantly, I made friendships that I still truly value today.”
