Essential Utilities has announced that Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs Kimberly Joyce has added the role of corporate secretary to her responsibilities. 

As corporate secretary, Joyce adds critical responsibilities associated with the Essential board of directors, Securities & Exchange Commission filings, and the company’s legal entity structure.  

“Kim’s long tenure with the company as a regulatory attorney has provided her expansive experience and knowledge that will serve her well as she assumes this added responsibility,” said Essential Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin. “Kim will continue to report to Executive Vice President Chris Luning, who previously performed this role, which will provide for a smooth transition of this responsibility.” 

Prior to her current role, Joyce had similar regulatory and legislative responsibilities for the company, where she has worked for more than 15 years. Joyce works closely with the operations team across the business to align and integrate the organization’s regulatory and legislative strategy.

As regulatory counsel for the company, she manages regulatory filings including base rate cases, acquisition applications, and the implementation of state and federal legislative and regulatory policy at the public utility commissions for Essential’s regulated water, wastewater and natural subsidiaries. Joyce successfully led the multi state regulatory approval process for the acquisition of natural gas distribution company Peoples and well as the implementation of the newly enacted fair market valuation legislation for water and wastewater acquisitions now available across the company’s footprint.     

Joyce spent five years with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) before joining the company. She previously clerked for Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court President Judge James Gardner Colins.  

She earned her B.A. in economics and M.B.A. at Villanova University and her J.D. at the University of Pittsburgh. Joyce serves on the board of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia and leads the partnership with Villanova’s engineering school service learning initiatives.