(July 25, 2006)--Charleston Water System's Board of Commissioners today appointed William (Billy) Koopman, Jr., former general manager of the public utility, to serve the remaining term of Chairman Howard Burky, who died in June.
Mr. Koopman retired from Charleston Water System in August 2005 after twenty years of service--eight as general manager. He is a Charleston native and was assistant administrator for Charleston County for ten years prior to joining the utility. Mr. Koopman was sworn in during today's Board meeting and will serve the remainder of Mr. Burky's term, which ends in December 2007.
"I am very humbled to serve the remaining term on the Commission previously held by Mr. Howard Burky," said Billy Koopman. "In every sense, Mr. Burky was truly an outstanding individual with a strong devotion and love of the Charleston community. He was a most generous public servant, a mentor to many, and is deeply missed by all. I pledge to the community that I will serve with integrity, humility, and devotion to this great institution and the public it serves."
The Board of Commissioners chose Mr. Koopman to fill the vacancy because of his extensive knowledge and experience working with the utility. "I can't imagine anyone more qualified to sit on the Commission than Billy Koopman," said Mayor Joe Riley. "His service to this community in the past, his knowledge of the workings of Charleston Water System and his character and ideals make him an asset for the community in this position. I look forward to working with Billy as a member of the Board of Commissioners."
Howard Burky, a well-known civic leader and long time member of Charleston Water's Board, died June 15, 2006 after a brief battle with cancer. He was first elected to the Board in 1984 and had served as its chairman since 2002.
Charleston Water System's five-member Board of Commissioners is made up of the Mayor of the City of Charleston and a City Council member, in addition to three elected members, who serve six-year terms. Current Board members include Mayor Joseph P. Riley, City Councilman Louis Waring, Thomas Pritchard, and David Rivers. The Board is as an oversight and policy-making body for the public water and wastewater utility, which serves the Greater Charleston region.
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