AS PRESIDENT OF American Water’s Military Services Group (MSG), Brigadier General C. David Turner (US Army, Retired) leads operational and business development teams working through the initial stages of a utilities privatization opportunity through establishing operations and performing upgrades and maintenance through the life of 50-year military contracts. MSG treats and supplies water and collects and treats wastewater at 13 US military installations as part of the federal government’s Utility Privatization Program. A highly decorated military leader, General Turner—who was in the Pentagon on 9/11—is credited with helping to save two officers’ lives by pulling them out of the building before the plane hit.
What he Does Day to Day
“A typical day may entail reviewing the final version of a Department of Defense RFP response, meeting with civilian and military leadership about collaborating on water and wastewater treatment challenges and with American Water executives and subject matter experts to ensure we’re meeting and exceeding environmental compliance requirements, and giving our front-line operators the tools and support needed for success,” says General Turner.
What Led Him to this Line of Work
General Turner showed signs of high achievement early in life, having earned the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, and as an adult continues his Scouting involvement. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences from the University of Central Missouri. General Turner earned Masters’ degrees in strategic studies from the US Army War College and industrial engineering from Wichita State University, where he climbed the ranks of the military elite who must be confirmed by the US Senate to serve as senior military officers. He is a Harvard Senior Executive Fellow. General Turner commanded the US Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division, overseeing project planning, design, and construction to support the military, protect water resources, and restore and enhance the environment. He signed two Water Control Manuals, a 25-year effort in the southeastern US. General Turner commanded the US Army Corps of Engineers’ South Pacific Division. He was chief of staff for the US Army Corps of Engineers headquarters as well as the Combined Joint Interagency Task Force in Afghanistan. General Turner was division chief for Base Realignment and Closure Division, overseeing the Army’s $18 billion 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, and commander for the Far East Engineer District of the US Army Corps of Engineers in Seoul, South Korea. He served three tours as the G-1 engineer. General Turner served on the Joint Staff as assistant deputy director of operations, emergency action officer, global nuclear strike advisor, and senior operations officer. Military assignments have taken him throughout the continental US, Germany, Bosnia, and the Middle East. During the Gulf War, he commanded Bravo Company. He served a combat tour as commander of the 14th Combat Engineer Battalion with deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
What He Likes Best about His Work
“Our water and wastewater treatment services play a critical role in ensuring readiness, resiliency, and sustainment of every mission that starts and ends at our network of military bases across the country,” says General Turner. “Reliability of utility services is vital to mission success. Having served in the military for more than 30 years, I take pride in the fact that American Water has the privilege to provide the best in water and wastewater treatment services and make an impact to service members and their families through environmental leadership. This includes a commitment to never compromise public safety for speed, convenience, or profit.”
