Cheryl Norton

Cheryl Norton is the Chief Operating Officer at American Water.

Cheryl Norton previously served as president of New Jersey American Water. She was the principal external contact for American Water in New Jersey, serving approximately 2.7 million people. In this role, she reinforces and strengthens customer, regulatory and local government relationships and drives operational and financial results for New Jersey. Additionally, she serves as senior vice president of the company’s Eastern Division, which is comprised of New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Maryland. In December 2019, it was announced that Norton would also become American Water’s Chief Environmental Officer, overseeing environmental leadership and compliance across American Water’s regulated and market-based businesses.

Norton previously served as president of Missouri American Water for three years, and in the same role for Kentucky American Water for five years. A native of northwestern Missouri near Kansas City and St. Joseph, Norton started her career with American Water in 1988 as a microbiology research technician at the company’s central laboratory in Belleville, Ill., which provides services for American Water subsidiaries across the country. From 2000 to 2007, she served as the laboratory’s director overseeing companywide chemical compliance testing. In 2007, Norton was appointed Vice President of Operations for Illinois American Water.

Norton serves on the boards of Choose New Jersey, The Cooper Health System, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership and the New Jersey Utilities Association. She is a member of AWWA and in 1992, she was recognized by AWWA for the most notable contribution to the science of public water supply development. She was awarded the Professional Service Award from the Illinois Section AWWA in 2006 and was named one of the “Most Influential Businesswomen of 2017” by the St. Louis Business Journal.

Norton received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in environmental studies from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.