---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001410636-22-000034"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AWK"
cik: "0001410636"
company_name: "American Water Works Company, Inc."
filed_at: "2022-02-02T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-27T12:16:21.219082+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# American Water CEO Walter Lynch retires; Susan Hardwick named President and CEO

## Summary
- Walter Lynch retired as President and CEO effective Feb 2, 2022; received separation agreement with 12 months' base salary of $1M plus restrictive covenants.
- Susan Hardwick, previously Interim CEO and CFO, appointed President, CEO, and Board member; will continue as CFO until replacement is named.
- Hardwick's compensation: $1M base salary, 110% APP target, 400% LTPP target, and $100K stipend for interim CEO service from Dec 7, 2021 to Jan 31, 2022.
- Director Lloyd M. Yates retired from Board effective Feb 14, 2022 to become NiSource President and CEO; no disagreement with company.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001410636-22-000034
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AWK
- cik: 0001410636
- company_name: American Water Works Company, Inc.
- filed_at: 2022-02-02T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000034/0001410636-22-000034-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000034/awk-20220201.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001410636-22-000034
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001410636-22-000034.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001410636-22-000034.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Lloyd M. Yates retired as member of the Board at American Water Works Company, Inc..
  - Action: retired
  - Role: member of the Board
  source text: On February 1, 2022, the Chairman of the Board and the Company received notice from Lloyd M. Yates, a member of the Board, stating that he will retire from the Board effective as of February 14, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000034/0001410636-22-000034-index.htm
- Executive change
  M. Susan Hardwick was elected as member of the Board at American Water Works Company, Inc..
  - Action: elected
  - Role: member of the Board
  source text: Ms. Hardwick was elected as a member of the Board to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Mr. Lynch.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000034/0001410636-22-000034-index.htm
- Executive change
  Walter J. Lynch retired as President and Chief Executive Officer at American Water Works Company, Inc..
  - Action: retired
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Walter J. Lynch, 59, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Water Works Company, Inc. (the “Company”), provided the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company notice of his decision to retire as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its principal executive officer, as well as a member of the Board
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000034/0001410636-22-000034-index.htm
- Executive change
  Walter J. Lynch retired as member of the Board at American Water Works Company, Inc..
  - Action: retired
  - Role: member of the Board
  source text: Walter J. Lynch, 59, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Water Works Company, Inc. (the “Company”), provided the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company notice of his decision to retire as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its principal executive officer, as well as a member of the Board
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000034/0001410636-22-000034-index.htm
- Executive change
  M. Susan Hardwick was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at American Water Works Company, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Board elected M. Susan Hardwick, 59, to serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and as principal executive officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000141063622000034/0001410636-22-000034-index.htm

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