Professional Role and Responsibilities
Jeffrey F. Thompson currently holds the positions of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Executive Vice President (EVP) at DC Water, the public utility serving Washington, D.C., responsible for water and wastewater services. In this executive leadership role, he provides strategic direction and operational leadership over all facets of DC Water’s operations, including engineering, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and emergency management.
He leads numerous enterprise-wide initiatives, overseeing the development and execution of large-scale strategic plans and capital programs. His responsibilities encompass ensuring permit compliance and the delivery of safe, reliable water services to over 770,000 customers in the District of Columbia area.
In operations, his remit covers Water Operations (including water quality and technology), Pumping & Sewer Operations, Wastewater Treatment Operations, and several administrative departments linked to facilities, fleet, and emergency management. Reports from DC Water’s Board of Directors meetings consistently identify him as a central figure in project oversight, operational advancements, and collaborative delivery programs within the agency.
Professional Background and Expertise
Mr. Thompson is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) with over 34 years of combined public and private sector experience in water and wastewater utilities. Prior to joining DC Water in 2023, he served as Assistant General Manager at the Birmingham Water Works Board (Alabama) starting in 2019, where he further developed leadership expertise in utility operations and capital program management.
His technical qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Central Florida
- Executive MBA from The University of Alabama
Throughout his career, he has led numerous strategic development plans and the management of large capital projects aligned with infrastructure modernization, resilience, and regulatory frameworks in the water sector.
Notable Organizational and Industry Contributions
- Mr. Thompson has been instrumental in directing DC Water’s multi-billion-dollar capital programs, including infrastructure rehabilitation and the $1.2 billion Clean Rivers Program, projected for completion by 2030, and over $1.3 billion allocated to major system upgrades and renewals.
- Under his operational leadership, DC Water secured significant funding, including FEMA’s $20.3 million Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant to improve system reliability and resilience.
- He played a collaborative role in establishing DC Water’s Blueprint 2.0 Strategic Plan, a long-term framework guiding operational priorities, resource allocation, and enterprise initiatives.
- DC Water awarded 15 major construction contracts totaling $146 million in FY23, with a focus on diversity inclusion, as evidenced by participation of 92 certified DBE and WBE firms, aligning with equity goals promoted during his tenure.
Professional Recognition and Affiliations
- Jeffrey Thompson has been recognized as a Director of The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a leading organization in advancing water research and innovation, reflecting his industry influence beyond DC Water.
- His leadership is regularly cited in DC Water’s official communications and annual reports, emphasizing his role in steering operational excellence and infrastructure resiliency initiatives.
- His expertise spans regulatory compliance, watershed protection, utility maintenance, construction, and emergency management — critical domains for sustaining the utility’s service reliability.
Organizational Context and Financial Overview
DC Water operates with a significant capital budget, with FY 2026 approved financial plans indicating continued investment in infrastructure empowering vulnerable communities and ensuring system modernization. The agency manages complex operational clusters under Mr. Thompson’s oversight to meet regulatory mandates and customer service excellence.
The agency’s strategic direction under his leadership highlights a commitment to data-driven decision-making, enterprise-wide initiatives tracking, and reporting on over 40 key projects, reflecting a results-oriented operational philosophy.
This profile consolidates Jeffrey F. Thompson’s executive experience, credentials, and key organizational contributions at DC Water, emphasizing his critical role in managing and modernizing the water utility’s operations and infrastructure. His background in engineering and extensive utility management experience position him as a central figure in DC Water’s strategic and operational leadership.
