Kirk Emerson
Joining the Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority (HCWSA) Board of Directors in January 2007, Kirk Emerson brings more than 15 years of professional experience in banking and finance to his post. Emerson and his wife Wanda reside in Ellenwood, as he represents residents from District 5 on the HCWSA Board, having been appointed by Henry County Commissioner Johnny B. Basler.
Emerson is the Vice President of Small Business Banking for SunTrust Bank, assisting commercial customers and developing new business within SunTrust's Henry and Clayton County markets. He's been with SunTrust for four years, and his current responsibilities include responding to referrals from sources within the bank's customer list, as well as from his contacts within the community. In addition, he calls on a number of businesses within Henry and Clayton, to see if SunTrust's financial services might meet their commercial banking needs.
With experience in both the public and private sector, Emerson will be a valuable asset to the HCWSA Board of Directors. He has previous work experience with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, so he understands the inner-workings of government, as well as public authorities and agencies.
"I am excited to be a part of this (HCWSA) Board of Directors, because it allows me to volunteer within the public sector again," says Emerson. "In addition, I've always been interested in how a water system works, from supplying raw water to producing and distributing finished drinking water for a growing customer base such as ours."
Emerson says he is fully aware of the award-winning operations at the HCWSA, noting that the Authority is more accomplished than most as a quasi-public utility that runs like a business. It's that combined public-private work experience that he hopes to bring to the Authority's leadership.
"Certainly, I hope my background in banking and finance will be of value to the board, but I also understand how government can help parlay certain issues for the benefit of the community," says Emerson. "I want to help the citizens of my district understand how the Authority works on their behalf, so they'll have good representation on the board."
Emerson says he also wants to continue the Authority's reputation for being good financial stewards of public dollars, assuring the HCWSA maintains its sound financial position as a public water utility.
"I hope we can continue as an Authority in great financial shape, so we'll be the envy of other water utilities, and a leader in technology and innovations," he adds.
Emerson moved to Ellenwood in 2000 from Wichita, Kansas. He received his Bachelor's degree from Washburn University in Topeka, and a Master's degree in public administration from Wichita State. He says he loves living in Henry County, with all it has to offer its residents and businesses.
"I think our county is a good little secret, even though we're growing," he notes. "I don't think people realize the wonders of Henry County, which is a place you can still have country living, while being so close to a major metropolitan city."
