Longtime city employee Niki Iverson will take over JWC as well as Hillsboro Water Department.
HillsboroTribune Geoff Pursinger Tuesday, July 16, 2019
The city of Hillsboro has hired a new head to the regional joint water agency responsible for providing water to a large swath of Washington County.
Niki Iverson has been named the city’s new water department director, and will take over as general manager of the Joint Water Commission.
The Joint Water Commission provides water to more than 375,000 people in Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Beaverton and the Tualatin Valley Water District, which serves parts of Hillsboro and Beaverton. The JWC operates the largest water treatment plant in Oregon.
Iverson is no stranger to Hillsboro. As the city’s water resources manager for the past 12 years, Iverson was oversaw water quality monitoring, reporting, watershed management and water rights.
Iverson replaces longtime water director Kevin Hanway, who retired last month after 14 years as the head of the JWC.
“Niki is the most effective manager I know,” Hanway said. “She is recognized statewide for her expertise in the water field and in infrastructure finance. Our partners know Niki and trust her judgment, and Water Department staff are excited for the continued progress that her leadership will bring.”
Iverson takes over at an important time. The cities of Hillsboro, Beaverton and Tualatin Valley Water District are working on the massive Willamette Water Supply Program, which will pump water from Wilsonville to Washington County by 2026. Construction on the project is currently underway.
“Niki is highly regarded and respected in the regional water community, and has the necessary skills and work ethic to lead the Hillsboro Water Department and JWC well into the future,” Interim City Manager Robby Hammond said. “Hillsboro has a long-standing reputation of forward thinking and strategic planning, and Niki is well prepared to continue that tradition.”
Iverson starts work June 28.
