Andrew Smith Praises Frontline Workers in Final Report as WAPA Executive Director; Ashley Bryan Named Interim CEO

“It’s with a heavy heart and mixed emotions that I move on to my next adventure, whatever that may be,” said Andrew Smith, as he gave his final report as executive director during Thursday’s meeting of the Water and Power Authority governing board.‌ As he reflected on his tenure at the helm of the troubled utility, Mr. Smith turned his attention to the men and women with whom he served for two and a half years. “I’m beyond impressed with how much we do as an organization with so little,” he told board members. He appealed for compassion from a frustrated populace. “Some of our team takes a lot of abuse in the public and in social media and elsewhere,” Mr. Smith observed. “I don’t think the public appreciates how bad it can actually be if there weren’t the men and women of WAPA standing hip deep in mud in the middle of the night in the rain, fixing stuff…that’s really a testament to our workforce,” he continued. WAPA Chief Operating Officer for Electricity, Ashley Bryan (V.I. Legis...