Illinois American Water President Joins Scott AFB Honorary Commanders; Regional Hire and Grants Announced

Scott AFB partnership grows as Illinois American Water leader joins Honorary Commanders

Illinois American Water congratulates Rebecca Losli, its president, on her selection to Scott Air Force Base’s Class of 2027 Honorary Commanders, a civic cohort aimed at deepening ties between St. Louis‑region community leaders and the base. Losli is inducted as a Base Commander for the 932nd Airlift Wing and is paired for two years with Col. Jeffrey A. Smith, providing structured, one‑on‑one exposure to base missions, programs and assets. The program is administered by Scott AFB and supported by senior commanders, including Col. Matt Collins of the 375th Air Mobility Wing.

The company frames the appointment as an extension of its existing work with military communities through American Water’s Military Services Group, which provides water and wastewater services to roughly 670,000 military community members at 18 installations, including Scott AFB. Illinois American Water says the Honorary Commander role helps executives better understand operational needs that intersect with utility service, emergency response and infrastructure planning. The pairing is designed to produce practical collaboration, from coordinating emergency response protocols to aligning infrastructure investments that support both base resilience and surrounding civilian communities.

Officials emphasize measurable outcomes and accountability as part of the engagement, saying the two‑year orientation will facilitate direct engagement with units and strengthen civic‑military coordination on workforce development and service continuity. Losli highlights ongoing local partnerships and says the program allows American Water to leverage its technical expertise in support of base operations while improving customer service and operational readiness for service areas adjoining military installations. Company materials invite stakeholders to follow developments through Scott AFB and American Water outreach channels.

New Southern California business development hire

California American Water names Agatha Kotani principal of business development for Southern California, where she leads outreach to municipal and private utilities to grow service delivery and partnerships. Kotani brings nearly a decade of government relations and public policy experience, including roles at the U.S. Department of Labor and on Capitol Hill, and will focus on scalable projects, funding opportunities and community engagement as part of American Water’s regional expansion efforts.

Volunteer fire and EMS grants continue in New Jersey

New Jersey American Water opens its 2026 Volunteer Fire and EMS Grant Program, inviting eligible volunteer departments in its service area to apply by April for equipment and training funding. Now in its 16th year, the program says it prioritizes purchases that improve on‑scene safety and interoperability and is reviewed by a committee that includes company employees who also serve as volunteer responders.