Professional Position and Responsibilities
David Parker most recently served as Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services at DC Water, with tenure extending through early 2025. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing an annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget of approximately $400 million to $600 million, managing the planning, design, and construction of complex wastewater infrastructure projects. He held leadership roles involving the supervision of operations and process engineering divisions within DC Water.
His responsibilities at DC Water included presenting quarterly CIP updates to the Board of Directors and ensuring progress across multiple construction phases of both process and non-process facility projects. Notably, he provided detailed oversight of long-term capital projects including sewer pipe rehabilitation, manhole repairs, and facility upgrades, reflecting a focus on infrastructure resiliency and operational reliability. Parker’s leadership extended to governance aspects such as defining participation and contracting scope within large-scale task orders.
Career Transition and Current Role
As of May 2025, David Parker transitioned to the private sector, assuming the role of National Wastewater Practice Director at Gannett Fleming Technologies (GFT). In this strategic position, he leads wastewater practice initiatives on a national scale, emphasizing technical excellence, client service, and the development of future-ready, resilient communities. His appointment was publicly announced by GFT in early May 2025, marking a shift from his public utility role to an advisory and leadership capacity within a prominent engineering and consulting firm.
This recent move leverages Parker’s extensive track record managing multi-hundred-million-dollar capital programs and his expertise in wastewater engineering.
Experience and Expertise
David Parker’s professional experience spans over 30 years in the water and wastewater sector, primarily in municipal settings focused on wastewater planning, engineering design, and program management. His technical expertise includes:
- Large-scale capital program delivery and infrastructure rehabilitation
- Wastewater engineering and treatment plant project management
- Operations and process engineering oversight
- Strategic planning for water infrastructure resiliency
- Collaborative coordination with regulatory agencies and stakeholders
His technical credentials include Professional Engineer (PE) licensure and association with DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America), underscoring his qualifications in both design and delivery of engineering projects.
Notable Achievements at DC Water
During Parker’s tenure, DC Water earned recognition for operational reliability and financial stewardship, including a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Under his guidance, DC Water successfully rehabilitated more than 6,200 linear feet of defective sewer pipes, repaired 37 sewer manholes, and advanced projects important to maintaining water quality and infrastructure functionality.
His input was instrumental in securing and managing multi-year funding envelopes integral to DC Water’s 10-year capital improvement plans, including incorporating resiliency measures aligned with Washington D.C.’s water system sustainability goals.
Professional Network and Presence
David Parker maintains a substantial professional network with over 500+ LinkedIn connections, reflecting broad industry engagement. His LinkedIn profile identifies his Washington, D.C. regional base. His recent public communications on social media platforms affirm his move to GFT and ongoing leadership focus on wastewater solutions.
Organizational Context at DC Water
At DC Water, Parker worked alongside other senior executives such as the CEO and various Vice Presidents, including Joe Edwards (Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President). The Engineering division under his leadership played a central role in managing DC Water’s extensive infrastructure, supporting the organization’s motto, “Water is life,” which emphasizes their commitment to water supply reliability and quality in the nation’s capital.
Summary
David Parker’s profile demonstrates a seasoned engineering executive with comprehensive expertise in wastewater infrastructure management, capital program leadership, and strategic engineering operations within one of the United States’ premier municipal water authorities. His recent move to GFT as National Wastewater Practice Director signals a continued leadership trajectory, now extending to national wastewater consulting and strategy development. His stewardship of a multi-hundred-million-dollar CIP budget and record of successful infrastructure modernization illustrate critical operational capabilities and strategic vision relevant to advancing large-scale water projects.
