Bradford native Steve Disney has been named the new executive director designate of the Bradford City Water Authority, effective June 15, authority Chairman Ron Orris announced Friday.
Disney will replace current executive director Kim Benjamin, who will retire Aug. 15 after 33 years of employment there.
“I’ve got some very big shoes to fill,” said Disney. “The great thing is I’m going to get a chance to work with (Benjamin) for a couple of months. He’s leaving the authority in a very, very good position, so I’m looking forward to working with Kim.”
According to a press release from the authority, “Disney joins the Authority from Georgia Pacific LLC, where he has worked in supervision and upper management for 33 years including tenure as plant superintendent, plant manager and his current position as director of operations.”
As a member of the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department, Disney has held posts including lieutenant and vice president. Disney said he and his wife, Karen, were both born and raised in Bradford. The couple has two sons, Dan (Ashley) Disney and Shawn Disney.
Hiring Disney is the result of months of work looking for the right candidate, according to Orris. “This whole process has been going on for almost 10 months, and this last round we had 12 applicants from all over the country,” he said. “It was a tough decision because we had some phenomenal applicants.”
Orris is pleased — as is, he believes, the rest of the water authority — that they found a local man who already has strong ties in the community. Applicants were received from Ohio, Virginia, Erie and several from Pennsylvania, including the Bradford area.
“Steve has got strong roots here in Bradford,” said Orris. “He’s done a terrific job for Georgia Pacific. He answered a lot of requirements we had on our resume.”
Dealing with emergencies through his volunteer work with the fire department has helped to prepare him for the responsibility of overseeing the area’s water system. “I just had a real great sense of pride that I could help people on their worst days, and now I can transfer that to the water authority job,” he explained. “The fact is, I’m very proud to be able to serve in this capacity. I’m going to do everything I can for this community and the authority to make Bradford a better place.”
Regarding Disney’s work with the fire department, Orris noted that it is not only Disney who volunteers, but also his family members including his sons and brother who give their time. “Steve is very dedicated to that role,” said Orris.
Maintaining Bradford’s water system is a job that is not bound to a 9-to-5 workday. Pipes breaks in the system bringing workers out at all times of day and in all weather, a fact with which Disney is familiar. In fact, Disney said he represented Georgia Pacific at the public information meetings during the state of emergency in early 2015.
Orris noted that during the interview for the position, Disney “admired how Kim handled the whole situation” during the state of emergency. “I think you’re going to see the same with Steve,” he added, explaining that Disney is quite people-oriented.
Disney comes to the water authority with years of managerial experience.
“During his career at Georgia Pacific, he developed operational budgets, strategically planned operational and management activities, negotiated many labor agreements, oversaw the installations of large capital projects, and had an excellent history and experience in managing people, processes, and improving operations,” the press release from the authority stated.
The authority talked about the new duties Disney will be taking on, too.
“Upon assumption of executive director of the Bradford City Water Authority duties, he shall be responsible for oversight of the 6,300 customer based water distribution system serving the 18,000 residents of the Tuna Valley, plant management of the 6.5 million gallon per day water treatment plant as well as land management of the Authority’s 12,000 acres watershed,” read an advertisement for the position.
“It’s going to be hard to replace Kim because he’s made such a strong impact on our community,” Orris said, but he feels Disney is up for the challenge. Benjamin is happy about Disney replacing him, Orris indicated.
The authority indicated Benjamin is leaving on a good note, saying, “Kim Benjamin, who completes a stellar 33-year career with the water authority, has done an outstanding job and the board extends their congratulations on a job well done, and they wish him all the best in his retirement.”
“This is, actually, the way I look at it, the opportunity of a lifetime for me,” said Disney. “I have known a lot of the employees at the water authority for years and years.” He said it’s a “great organization” and explained he’s been watching for a position there for some time.
“The greatest thing I’ve found, what really makes the organization, is the employees, the people. They’ve got such great people,” said Disney. Between the board, the plant, distribution and the office, there’s “so much talent and so much history,” according to Disney. “They’ve got a very, very strong team. I know I wanted to be a part of that for the rest of my career.”
Disney is excited about the prospect of connecting with the community at the water authority. “Being in a large corporation, it tends to get disconnected from the community,” he said.
However, he’s pleased about his decades of working at Georgia Pacific. “I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of great people over the years, and I wish them nothing but the best.”
