Beaver Water District hires new chief

 Lane Crider
Lane Crider

LOWELL -- Beaver Water District will have a new leader for the first time in nearly two decades when Lane Crider takes the post of CEO next year.

The district's board unanimously approved hiring Crider at a meeting Thursday. Crider will begin working at the water district on Oct. 1. Alan Fortenberry, who has been with the water district for 28 years and has been CEO for 18 years, said he will stay on for a transition period. Fortenberry said he expects to leave the district sometime in the spring of 2019.

Crider, a Northwest Arkansas native, has been an engineer with McGoodwin, Williams and Yates Inc., for almost 30 years, according to information from the Beaver Water District. In that time he has worked on water and wastewater treatment plant design; water transmission, distribution and storage; wastewater collection and transmission; sludge application and industrial pre-treatment; and other areas for private and municipal projects.

Bill Watkins, board chairman, said the search was wide-ranging but after considering a number of people the board offered the position to Crider.

"Fortunately, in the end it came down to a local person who has all the skills that we need," Watkins said.

"I am personally excited to welcome him on-board," Watkins said.

Crider, a Washington County native who lives in Fayetteville, said he is familiar with the Beaver Water District and with the staff, calling it "the gold standard in the water industry" and said he considers it a privilege to a a part of the organization.

"I know what a quality outfit it is and I know what kind of people the district employs," Crider said.

"I've known Alan and Larry Lloyd all of my career and I consider them both as mentors," he said. "Did I expect this to happen? Absolutely not. But I'll bring a passion to this organization that I don't think would be surpassed by any other candidate."

Fortenberry earns $229,000 annually. The district will pay Crider $168,000.

NW News on 09/28/2018

Upcoming Events