$73M water, wastewater nonprofit in Lee County names new leader

Andy Koebel has been named executive director of Bonita Springs Utilities, a south Lee County nonprofit water and wastewater member-owned utility cooperative.

The position is a promotion for Koebel, who has been BSU’s director of operations since 2011. Koebel, according to a statement, replaces John Jenkins, who is retiring at the end of June. Jenkins has been executive director since 2015.

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“Andy’s extensive experience at BSU and within the utility industry made it a unanimous decision amongst the board of directors to appoint him as our next executive director,” BSU Board President Richard Garner says in the release. “BSU has a history of success under leadership by people who have been intimately involved in the utility’s operations and we are confident that success will continue with Andy.”

In his role as director of operations, Koebel managed more than 90 employees and oversaw the operation of BSU’s two water production plants and two water reclamation facilities, as well as associated fieldwork and service activities. A licensed professional engineer, he’s worked in the water and wastewater utility industry for nearly 30 years.

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Jenkins, meanwhile, provided legal services to BSU for more than 20 years.

“We are very grateful for John’s leadership and commitment to our members.” Garner says in the release. “His depth of experience and extensive utility knowledge has served BSU well and he leaves the utility in strong operational and financial standing after nearly a decade of service.”

Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. was founded by local citizens in 1970. It provides service in the city of Bonita Springs, the Village of Estero and unincorporated South Lee County. It had $388.97 million in assets in its most recent fiscal year, according to public tax filings, and $73.71 million in gross revenue/receipts.