
Bernadette Sohler, vice president of corporate affairs at Middlesex Water Company, will retire at the end of the year, the completion of an incredible 30-year run with the company.
Sohler joined Middlesex in 1994 and served in positions of increasing responsibility before being named to the executive leadership team as vice president in 2007. She oversaw internal and corporate communications strategy including branding of the company’s RENEW, DirectALERT and Water for Tomorrow initiatives, digital media, community engagement, investor and media relations, sustainability reporting, and served as company spokesperson and primary government affairs liaison.
Middlesex Water is a provider of water and wastewater and related services primarily in New Jersey and Delaware.
Middlesex Water CEO Nadine Leslie said the company was grateful for Sohler’s efforts over the years.
“On behalf of the board and our team members, I want to congratulate Bernadette on an impressive and versatile career highlighted by unwavering dedication, communications expertise, and active community and industry leadership,” she said. “During her tenure at Middlesex, Bernadette established strong relationships with local officials and worked to enhance engagement and stakeholder awareness of our company, our industry, and the value of water.
“We thank her for her many contributions to the growth of our company and wish her well on her retirement journey.”
As part of the company’s ongoing succession planning and strategic organizational realignment under new leadership, an investor relations director, Jennifer Ketschke has been hired, reporting directly to chief financial officer Rally Zerhouni. In addition, Summer DeFeo, director of communications, will continue to support other corporate affairs activities.