---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001410636-22-000011"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AWK"
cik: "0001410636"
company_name: "American Water Works Company, Inc."
filed_at: "2022-01-27T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-27T14:53:31.160950+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# American Water reinstates Walter Lynch as CEO effective Jan 31, 2022 after medical leave

## Summary
- Walter Lynch resumes full duties as President and CEO after recovering from injury/hospitalization.
- Board reinstated Lynch on Jan 26, 2022, effective Jan 31, 2022.
- M. Susan Hardwick removed as Interim CEO; continues as EVP and CFO.
- Hardwick had led the company under business continuity plan during Lynch's absence.
- Board thanked Hardwick and management for uninterrupted operations.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001410636-22-000011
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AWK
- cik: 0001410636
- company_name: American Water Works Company, Inc.
- filed_at: 2022-01-27T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000011/0001410636-22-000011-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000011/awk-20220126.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001410636-22-000011
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001410636-22-000011.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001410636-22-000011.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  M. Susan Hardwick was removed as Interim Chief Executive Officer at American Water Works Company, Inc..
  - Action: removed
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: removed M. Susan Hardwick, 59, the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, from the office of Interim Chief Executive Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000011/0001410636-22-000011-index.htm
- Executive change
  Walter J. Lynch was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at American Water Works Company, Inc..
  - Action: reinstated
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Board (i) reinstated Mr. Lynch fully to, and authorized and directed Mr. Lynch to assume, all of his authority, duties and responsibilities as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its principal executive officer
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000011/0001410636-22-000011-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.