Veolia hires VP for municipal water contract operations

Veolia, a Boston-based provider of water services and environmental solutions, has appointed Ghassan Korban as vice president of large projects and structuring in the company’s Municipal Water Contract Operations business.

Korban, who recently retired as executive director of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), brings almost four decades of public sector experience to this strategic role.

In his new position, Korban will leverage his extensive public utility management expertise to provide strategic guidance for Veolia’s contract operations partnerships. His unique perspective as a former public utility leader will enhance Veolia's approach to public-private partnerships, the company says, providing environmental security to people and communities in the face of unprecedented environmental threats.

“After 38 years in public service and as an ‘owner’ of water agencies, joining the Veolia team allows me to share my experience with a focus on customer service excellence, while also advocating for our clients with full appreciation and understanding of their goals, priorities and needs,” Korban says. “I am thrilled to be part of a team that shares my professional values.”

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Prior to his leadership at SWBNO, Korban served the city of Milwaukee for 31 years, including eight years as director of its Department of Public Works. His achievements include managing Milwaukee’s first modern streetcar system, coordinating infrastructure for the Fiserv Forum and implementing innovative green infrastructure initiatives.

“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to bring Ghassan onto the Veolia team. His work in New Orleans and Milwaukee speaks for itself, and through those partnerships, we are in a unique position to appreciate his experience and brilliance,” said Joe Tackett, Veolia’s CEO of Municipal Water Contract Operations in North America. “We are so fortunate to be the beneficiaries of this next chapter in Ghassan’s lifelong commitment to strong, sustainable water infrastructure.” 

At SWBNO, Korban led a 1,300-employee utility operation and spearheaded the organization's modernization efforts, including the implementation of Veolia's Hubgrade data analytics system in 2024. Korban holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and an MBA from Marquette University. He will be based in Veolia’s Milwaukee office.

Veolia serves more than 20 million people in 39 states with water, wastewater and biosolids management. The Municipal Water Contract Operations division provides those services to 200 clients across the United States, primarily through public-private partnerships with local government agencies that rely on Veolia’s experience and expertise to best serve their residents and communities.