Sewerage & Water Board Of New Orleans Community & Intergovernmental Relations Department 625 St. Joseph Street, Room B-47 New Orleans, Louisiana 70165 504-585-2175
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 2004
Marcia St. Martin to Manage Agency S&WB Selects Mayor Nagin's Nominee As Its Executive Director

As President of the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, Mayor C. Ray Nagin nominated Marcia St. Martin to the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB) as the new Executive Director. The Board approved Mayor Nagin's recommendation earlier today. St. Martin's hiring is an historic one, making her the first woman in the history of New Orleans to serve as Executive Director of the Sewerage & Water Board. St. Martin is also the first ever African American to hold the position.

St. Martin, who served as Interim Director from June 2003 to August 2004, was selected as part of a nationwide search by the Sewerage & Water Board's Executive Director Search Committee. The committee narrowed the field to three expert candidates, recommending St. Martin for the position due to her more than 32 years of professional experience, her proven leadership, and her strategic management skills.

"We searched the country for the most qualified applicants, and Marcia St. Martin demonstrated the clearest understanding of the business of water systems and the importance of customer service," said Mayor Nagin. "Her experience and fresh vision will help increase efficiency and further the modernization of the Sewerage & Water Board."

St. Martin has been recognized for her innovative approaches to logistical development, problem solving, human resource management, operating and capital budget administration, cost/analysis and controls, and project planning.

Before serving as Interim Director, Marcia St. Martin served as Deputy Director of the S&WB for nearly 12 years. She had previously served as Director of the Department of Safety and Permits (1988-1991) and as Parking Administrator for the City's Department of Streets (1982-1988).

St. Martin currently serves on the Board of Water for People (WFP) USA and also WFP Canada. WFP is an international humanitarian organization which helps communities throughout the world that lack access to drinking water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene education. She also holds membership in the American Waterworks Association, Water Environment Federation, American Public Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, and Association of Metropolitan Sewer Agencies.

St. Martin will manage the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, which is responsible for providing citizens with clean drinking water, performing wastewater treatment and disposal, and maintaining one of the most extensive and complex drainage systems in the United States.

St. Martin will officially begin her new position immediately.