David L. Gadis

General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
DC Water
Washington, DC

David Gadis joined DC Water as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in May 2018. Mr. Gadis brings 20 years of industry experience to the role, most recently as Executive Vice President of Veolia North America (VNA), where he led North American business development operations, and was responsible for corporate growth and $3 billion in revenue.

Prior to his service at VNA, Mr. Gadis also worked as CEO and President of Veolia Water Indianapolis. He was its first African American CEO/President and the first African American CEO to lead a major utility in Indianapolis. In that position, he managed the operations of the city’s water utility that employed more than 600 employees and served more than 1 million customers and 360,000 rate payers.

Mr. Gadis has been a frequent presenter at utility and government services conferences, including the US Conference of Mayors, speaking on both Underground Infrastructure and Managing Utilities, as well with the National League of Cities and the National Association of Public Private Partnerships. His expertise in demonstrating how private firms can help municipalities as valued partners in securing significant cost savings, has earned him a reputation among city and municipal leadership as an innovative leader and a trusted partner who truly understands their challenges and desired goals.

Mr. Gadis is Chairman of the Board of Blue Drop, DC Water’s nonprofit sales, and marketing affiliate, and has served on the Boards of the Indianapolis Urban League, Fifth Third Bank, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Indianapolis Sports Corporation, Indiana Business Diversity Council, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and Indianapolis Downtown Inc.