SWWC Southwest Water (MM)

Southwest Water Company (NASDAQ:SWWC) announced today that Walter J. Bench has joined the company as treasurer, succeeding O'Donnell Iselin who left for a position with another company. Bench, 54, brings more than 20 years of experience in domestic and international finance, treasury operations and risk management. His expertise includes cash management, corporate finance, acquisitions and divestitures, insurance, pension and benefit management, and general accounting. Cheryl L. Clary, Southwest Water chief financial officer, said, "I am very pleased to welcome Walter Bench to Southwest Water's corporate finance team. His depth of experience and broad financial skill set will be of value to us as we execute our plans for continued long-term growth." Prior to joining Southwest Water, Bench served for seven years as assistant treasurer at Conexant Systems, Inc. where he was responsible for cash management, treasury operations, investments, corporate finance and risk and insurance management. His career also includes financial management positions with Hughes Electronics Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Transco Energy Company and Moran Energy, Inc. He earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh. Bench is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an associate degree in risk management. Southwest Water Company provides a broad range of operation, maintenance and management services, including water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; customer service; and utility infrastructure construction management. The company owns regulated public utilities and also serves cities, utility districts and private companies under contract. Approximately two million people from coast to coast depend on Southwest Water for high-quality, reliable service. Additional information may be found on the company's Web site: www.swwc.com.