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For Immediate Release
February 15, 2007

Julius Ciaccia named Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Cleveland - The Board of Trustees of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District continued its practice of hiring strong leaders to protect Clevelands water by appointing Cleveland Public Utilities Director Julius Ciaccia as Executive Director, effective November 1, 2007. Mr. Ciaccia succeeds Erwin J. Odeal who, after more than 24 years as Executive Director, will retire on December 31, 2007.

We have found a national expert to succeed Erwin Odeal right in our own back yard. Mr. Ciaccia will continue to build on the high standard Erwin set for protecting our water, said Ron Sulik, President of the Sewer District Board of Trustees. He is an undeniable expert on Cleveland water who will lead a capable staff that will continue to protect our water resources.

Ciaccia brings a wealth of experience in government relations and the water industry. In 2004, Mayor Jane Campbell appointed Ciaccia as Director of the City of Cleveland Department of Public Utilities, an appointment that Mayor Frank Jackson reaffirmed in 2006. As Public Utilities Director, Ciaccia oversees more than 1,800 employees in four City of Cleveland Divisions, including the Division of Water and Water Pollution Control.

Prior to his appointment as Utilities Director, Ciaccia worked in the City Division of Water for more than 23 years, serving 16 as Cleveland Commissioner of Water. Ciaccia serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). He also is a past Chair of the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF).

Odeal will retire as Executive Director December 31, 2007. He will serve as an advisor, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership. Julius shares with the entire staff an unwavering commitment to our water and our environment, stated Odeal.

It is an honor to be asked to join - and lead - a team that has accomplished so much to improve Clevelands environment, Ciaccia said. I am grateful to the Board for offering me this opportunity. And I am just as grateful to Erwin Odeal for making this opportunity possible by leading the District so well.

Odeal, Ciaccia and the Board jointly announced the promotion of Finance Director Mike Bucci to Deputy Executive Director, effective March 1, 2007. Finance Director Bucci has 26 years of accounting and finance experience with 22 years at the Sewer District. He serves as a Board member of the Government Finance Officers Association. Under his leadership, the District has earned a number of awards, including the Auditor of State Award for Exemplary Financial Reporting for 2004.

The Board, Mr. Odeal and I all agree that a key part of this leadership team will be Mike Bucci, who will help guarantee continued success as our new Deputy Executive Director, stated Ciaccia.

For additional information, please call Jeannie Chapman, Public Information Specialist, at 216.881.6600.