Board of Commissioners

We're an independent public utility governed by a Board of Commissioners. Three Commissioners are elected at-large by majority vote and serve six-year terms. The mayor of Charleston and an appointed city council member are ex-officio members of the board.

The Board acts as an oversight and policy-making body and has full authority to approve contracts, purchase property, and authorize water / wastewater rate adjustments.

For info about the election of board members, contact the Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration or the SC Election Commission (843) 745-2226.

Daily operations are conducted by a staff of 470 associates. Executive management consists of six officers.

Board Members

Thomas B. Pritchard, Chairman

First Elected: 1999
Current Term: 2024 - 2029

A native Charlestonian, Mr. Pritchard attended USC as an Alumni Scholar and served as the Chief of Staff to the student body president; he graduated cum laude in 1989 with a B.A. degree in Political Science.

Mr. Pritchard received his law degree from USC in 1992 and served as the law clerk for the Honorable William L. Howard, Sr., resident judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1992, and the US District Court for the District of South Carolina and the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in 1993.

Mr. Pritchard is a member of the Charleston County Bar, the South Carolina Bar, the American Bar Association, the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

Kathleen G. Wilson, Vice Chairman

Elected 2019, 2025
Current Term: 2026 - 2031

Kathleen Wilson has served the Charleston region in multiple capacities. She earned a bachelor of music and master of music in harp performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, serving as principal harpist with the Charleston Symphony, North Charleston Pops and as a guest with other regional orchestras. She is recognized as one of the foundational musicians through the decades of growth within Charleston, the go-to musician of choice. She holds adjunct teaching positions as instructor of harp at Charleston Southern University and the College of Charleston and maintains a freelancing schedule.

William E. Koopman, Jr., Commissioner

Appointed: 2022
Current Term: 2022 - 2027

A native Charlestonian and veteran public servant, William Koopman came to Charleston Water System in March of 1985 to head the Customer Service department. Prior to joining CWS, he served as deputy county administrator for Charleston County. In 1986, Mr. Koopman was appointed assistant manager and then became general manger, a title equivalent to CEO, in January 1999. He served a total of 20 years on staff, including eight as general manager, before retiring in 2005.
Mr. Koopman was appointed to our Board of Commissioners in 2006 to fill the unexpired term of Chairman Howard Burky who passed away that year. He became an elected Commissioner in 2014 and chose not to run after his term concluded in 2020. Mr. Koopman accepted his second appointment to our board in 2022 following the passing of Dr. David E. Rivers that year.


Mr. Koopman earned a degree in business administration from the Baptist College at Charleston – now Charleston Southern University and a master’s in public administration from Florida Atlantic University.

Perry K. Waring, Charleston City Council

(District 7)
Appointed, 2016

Perry K. Waring was appointed to our Board of Commissioners in January 2016.

Read his bio on the city of Charleston's website. He earned a degree in banking and finance from the University of South Carolina. Beyond his public service with CWS, he serves on the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Roper St. Francis Hospital Board as Chairman of Finance Committee and Investment Committee, and the Wells Fargo National Bank as Local Advisory Board Member.

Mayor William S. Cogswell, Jr., City of Charleston

Mayor William Cogswell, a dedicated lifelong resident of Charleston, assumed office on January 8th, 2024, with an unwavering commitment to prioritizing the needs of the city's residents. Grounded in the principles of Smart Growth, Safe Communities, and Sound Governance, his leadership ethos is geared towards shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for Charleston.
With a rich background in real estate spanning over two decades, Mayor Cogswell has played a pivotal role in revitalizing historic properties, transforming them into thriving urban centers such as the Cigar Factory, GARCo Mill, and the Navy Yard. Drawing upon his extensive experience, he brings a keen understanding of the nuances of development, distinguishing between what constitutes responsible and sustainable progress. His vision is to leverage these lessons to guide Charleston forward into a future marked by responsible growth.

Prior to assuming mayoral duties, Cogswell served in the state legislature, representing District 110 for six years. During this period, his impact was felt across the state, contributing to statewide teacher pay raises and spearheading the largest income tax cut in the history of South Carolina. Notably, he championed a crucial bill that delivered free prescription eyeglasses to thousands of Title One students in the tri-county area, showcasing his dedication to fostering positive change at both the local and state levels.