Grimm & Grove - Work - Aqua (now Essential Utilities)

Background

Working in-house as the Director of Corporate and Public Affairs for the second largest water utility traded on the NYSE, G&G’s principal Melissa Grimm oversaw all levels of government relations across 13 states, as well as community investment and a large political action committee. The work required ongoing engagement with elected and local officials to build support for rate cases and infrastructure projects. She also oversaw general brand positioning and day-to-day communications, translating utility-speak into terms that resonated with constituents.

Tactics

Oversaw rate case strategy vis a vis communications, investor relations, and government relations
Introduced utility services in a new market
Worked with state and local officials to identify potential water/sewer systems for sale
Branded and positioned a new utility to live within an existing company brand and business
Led communications strategies from "don't drink the water" door hangers to multi-faceted community strategies for acquisition of new water/sewer systems.
Worked at the local level to communicate and ensure stakeholders (public officials, residents, local businesses) understood the impacts of construction and were well informed with reasonable expectations
Created a more streamlined community-giving strategy to match company priorities around employee engagement and environmental conservation with volunteer and sponsorship opportunities
Updated communications with local residents to build brand and trust
Created an "open house" community format with information stations, bill resolution, customer service, water saving, and environmental information

Managing complex communications for a major utility company