Press Releases

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Sewerage and Water Board (SWBNO) Executive Director Ghassan Korban, with the support of the Board of Directors, announced Bob Turner as the utility’s new General Superintendent.

SWBNO Executive Director Ghassan Korban said, “On behalf of the Sewerage and Water Board, I stand with Bob Turner and look forward to the impact he will have on this the organization in this role. He has been instrumental in helping us address many of the issues faced by this organization and he is committed to helping us move it forward. He has proven his dedication to the Sewerage and Water Board and the people of New Orleans. His experience and education are top-notch and it is an honor for the Sewerage and Water Board to have him.”

SWBNO President Mayor LaToya Cantrell said, “Bob Turner is an exceptionally accomplished leader in the field of engineering, drainage and public infrastructure,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Bob has fought ceaselessly to protect our region against flooding. He has the respect of our employees and the confidence of our Executive Director, Ghassan Korban, and I am proud to have him join the S&WB as our new General Superintendent.”

Replacing interim General Superintendent Bruce Adams, Turner will begin in his new role on February 11, 2019. In this new capacity, Turner will oversee SWBNO’s operations, including the functions of its drainage, water and sewer systems.

SWBNO General Superintendent Bob Turner said, “I am honored to have this opportunity to continue the good work we’ve accomplished over the past 18 months. I am struck by the dedication and knowledge of so many employees at the Sewerage and Water Board, and I am excited to lead them.”

Turner joined the SWBNO as a member of the interim management team following the August 5, 2017 flooding event. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in getting the power supply of SWBNO updated and online.

Turner is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer with more than thirty-five years of experience.  He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Prior to serving SWBNO, Turner served as the Director of Engineering for the Flood Protection Authority-East. He has an extensive background in flood protection and public works, including serving as the Executive Director of the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District and as the Director of Public Works for St. Bernard Parish.

Additionally, he served as the Louisiana State representative on the National Committee on Levee Safety and served on the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA) Board of Directors.

SWBNO Director Robin Barnes said, “Bob Turner made himself available at a critical time for the Sewerage and Water Board and the City of New Orleans following the August 5th, 2017 floods. His continued leadership, post-emergency, as we begin strategically planning for the future, will be essential to our success. We will support Bob in this new role as General Superintendent and the entire agency as we continue to make enhancements in leadership and organizational integrity.”

SWBNO Director Alejandra Guzman said, “Mr. Turner is not only bringing 35 years of technical expertise in both the government and the private sector but also a deep knowledge of our utility given his role as member of the Interim Emergency Management Team. The right talent is fundamentally important to the success of SWBNO and we are excited to have him take on this role.”

SWBNO Director Andrew Amacker said, “Bob Turner offers a good mix of leadership experience both inside and outside of the Sewerage and Water Board. I am excited to have him step in to the General Superintendent role to help us continue moving forward as an organization.”

For further inquiries, please contact the SWBNO Communications Department at 504.585.2254 or media@swbno.org.

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