(Vacant)
Assistant Director
Asset Maintenance
The Department is organized into seven operating groups. They are Asset Maintenance, Engineering Services, Financial Services, Information Technology and Systems Integration and Operations, Public Affairs, Wastewater Operations, and Water Supply Operations. The Department is staffed so that various groups provide services for both the Water and Sewerage Systems.
Sue F. McCormick
Director
Sue McCormick was named the new Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department in November 2011, effective January 2012. Before her appointment to the top DWSD position by Mayor Dave Bing, Ms. McCormick served as Public Services Administrator for the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she managed that city’s entire physical infrastructure, including roads, solid waste, parks, fleet and facilities, and the water and sewer system. She first joined Ann Arbor city government as Water Utilities Director in January 2001.
Prior to her work in Ann Arbor, she was with the Lansing Board of Water and Light for 22 years, serving as Environmental Chemist, Environmental Laboratory Manager, Manager of Water and Steam Planning, Water Technical Support Manager and Business Development Manager.
A native of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, McCormick earned a bachelor’s degree from Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University. She is active in the 58,000-member American Water Works Association (AWWA), a prominent international organization for water industry professionals. She has served as AWWA-Michigan Director and as an association Vice President.
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Darryl Latimer
Deputy Director
Mr. Latimer was named Deputy Director on February 15, 2010, after having served as Contracts and Grants General Manager since March 2003. Previously, he was the Head Governmental Analyst in Contracts and Grants, leading the Consultant and Local Economic Development Units.
Mr. Latimer has been with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department since 1989, and with the City of Detroit since 1985. Mr. Latimer holds a bachelor of science degree in general studies from Wayne State University and a master of science in administration degree in general business administration from Central Michigan University.
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P.J. Dada
Assistant Director, Information Technology & Systems Integration & Operation
Ms. Dada was named Assistant Director in July 2007. Prior to her position, she served as General Manager of the Process Networks and SCADA Systems Division. Prior to joining the department in September 2006, Ms. Dada worked with consulting firms and the automotive industries.
Ms. Dada has over 20 years experience in process controls and instrumentation. Ms. Dada holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from General Motors Institute of Engineering and Management and a minor in Computer Science. She holds a Level III ISA certification.
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James George
Assistant Director, Finance
Mr. George was appointed to the position of Assistant Director – Financial Services Group in January 2011. He has 23 years of experience in the areas of budgeting, accounting, cash management, contract management, and information systems. Prior to joining the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, Mr. George served as a Wayne County appointee, with the title of Assistant Director of Management and Budget Department’s Assistant Director for five years. From 1987 to 2005, Mr. George worked for the City of Detroit in various capacities, including Assistant Director – Financial Services and Financial Manager for DWSD. He holds a master’s degree in accounting.
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Rodney Johnson
Assistant Director, Commercial Operations and Public Affairs
Mr. Johnson was named Assistant Director in December 2010. Previously, he was the Meter Operations Manager, where he presided over the Detroit system's conversion to Automated Meter Reading (AMR). He currently holds an S-1 Water Distribution System Operator license with the State of Michigan.
Mr. Johnson started working for the City of Detroit at the Detroit Zoo in 1977 as a Public Service Attendant. He joined DWSD in 1981 as a Repair Mechanic and has advanced in position over the years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University, majoring in Management Information Systems, and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.
Mr. Johnson is a member of DWSD's regional Technical Advisory Committee and the committee's Analytical Work Group.
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Cheryl Porter
Assistant Director, Water Supply Operations
Ms. Porter was named Assistant Director in September 2008. Previously, she was the Water Production and Operations Manager. She holds an F-1 Water Filtration Treatment Plant Operator license with the State of Michigan.
Ms. Porter began her career with the Department in 1996 as a Junior Chemist and has advanced over the years. She earned a B.S. degree from the University of Michigan, an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Madonna University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit.
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Samuel A. Smalley, P.E.
Assistant Director, Asset Maintenance
Mr. Smalley was named the Assistant Director of Wastewater Operations in October 2010. He joined the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department in June of 2007 after having spent two years participating in DWSD's customer outreach program as a customer representative. Since May of 2008, he has served as the Assistant Director of Asset Maintenance, where he was responsible for maintaining and upgrading the physical assets including infrastructure, facilities, and equipment.
Mr. Smalley is a registered professional engineer in California and Michigan, and has over 20 years of experience in engineering design, construction management, and utility management in the water and wastewater industry. He obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University, and holds both an F-1 Water Treatment Plant Operator license and an S-1 Water Distribution System Operator license.
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Terri Tabor Conerway
Process and Quality Control Manager
Terri Tabor Conerway was named DWSD Process and Quality Control Manager in January 2006, Ms. Conerway previously served as the Department's Human Resource Manager. She has worked in various managerial positions since beginning her career with the City of Detroit in 1972. She holds a B.S. degree from Wayne State University in Psychology. Ms. Conerway is a certified Franklin Covey facilitator and is active in the International Public Management Association – Human Resources.
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Miriam Dixon
General Manager, Contracts and Grants
Ms. Dixon was named General Manager of the Contracts and Grant Division in July 2010. Previously she served as Manager of Consultant Contracts, where she was responsible for managing the Consultant Contracts, Design/Build and Local Economic Development Units, along with the Print Shop.
Ms. Dixon began her career with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department in 1989. She holds a B.S. degree in Public Administration from Oakland University.
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