Tony Searls

Anthony V. “Tony” Searls is an accomplished public utility leader with over a decade of experience driving operational excellence, customer service innovation, and strategic financial management within government and utility sectors. Currently serving as the Commercial Services Superintendent at Greater Cincinnati Water Works, Tony oversees a $480M revenue stream and leads a 115-member team managing over 242,000 customer accounts across billing, field services, customer service, and revenue collection.

With dual master’s degrees in Business Administration and Human Resource Management, and a passion for equitable service delivery, Tony has implemented transformative initiatives such as customer debt relief programs, payment flexibility portals, and data-informed service shutoff processes. His leadership has resulted in improved customer satisfaction ratings (4.8/5), enhanced revenue recovery, and strengthened regional partnerships.

Tony’s career includes impactful roles at the City of Huntington, the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, and the Kanawha County Commission, where he led budgeting, audits, and cost-saving initiatives, including reducing jail costs by over $500K in one year. A recognized industry voice and 2025 WaterNow Alliance Emerging Leader Award recipient, Tony actively contributes to the sector through leadership in the Diversity in Water Speaker Series and the Ohio Section of the American Water Works Association.

He is a graduate of the Transformative Water Leadership Academy, where he now serves as a Small Group Coach, helping shape the next generation of water utility leaders.