Denver Water welcomed two new directors in September, splitting the Public Affairs division into two: Customer Relations and Public Affairs. Two other managers were named to permanent positions after serving in interim jobs since early 2011.
Customer Relations
Denver Water’s new Customer Relations division will focus on exemplary service to customers, including all interactions with residential and commercial customers, the city of Denver and distributors.
This increased customer focus will result in positive customer experiences and productive customer relationships.
Julie Anderson, formerly the manager of Customer Care, took over the role as director of the new Customer Relations division. Anderson’s background includes more than 20 years in customer relations, including retail, financial and consumer beverage industries.
Most recently, before joining Denver Water three years ago, she spent more than seven years in consumer affairs with Molson Coors, where she oversaw all North American contact center operations.
Public Affairs
The Public Affairs division will focus on enhancing communication efforts with employees and the media. Public Affairs also will expand relationships in the broader community, including small, minority- and women-owned businesses, and will coordinate relationships with other governments and the business community. Public Affairs also will continue to innovate and lead Denver Water’s conservation programs.
Sally Covington is the new director of Public Affairs. For the past 11 years, Covington has led a team of more than 60 employees in Denver International Airport’s marketing, air service development, research, media relations and customer service divisions. In addition to her experience at DIA, Covington has an extensive background in public relations and government affairs. She has successfully drafted and implemented legislative and media strategies in Texas and Colorado.
Operations and Maintenance
Tom Roode, former interim director of Operations of Maintenance, is now the division’s director. He moved into the position on an interim basis after working as Denver Water’s assistant chief of Engineering for two years.
Before joining Denver Water in 2009, Roode spent three years at the city of Aurora, managing about $200 million worth of transmission system infrastructure for Aurora Water’s Prairie Waters Project.
He has also spent 13 years working for various roles, including construction contractor, wastewater treatment plant operator and design consultant for various water and wastewater projects around the United States.
Organizational Improvement 
Brian Good, former director of Operations and Maintenance, is now the deputy manager of Organizational Improvement.
He has been serving on an interim basis since March as CEO/Manager Jim Lochhead’s special assistant to move the Strategic Plan process forward.
The Strategic Plan describes Denver Water’s vision as the best utility in the nation. Good will develop, coordinate and implement the operational tools that will help Denver Water move toward that vision.
Good joined Denver Water in 2000 and was named director of Operations and Maintenance in 2004.