Up Front
Ladies take top posts at WaterAuthority
Water Authority Director, Dr. Gelia Frederick-vanGenderen (left), Deputy Director, Mrs. Gloria Glidden (right)
Government Information Services
The Board of Directors of the Water Authorityrecently appointed Dr. Gelia Frederick-van Genderen as directorand Mrs. Gloria Glidden as deputy director.
Both were promoted from within the Authority. Dr. Frederick-vanGenderen previously held the post of deputy director while Mrs.Glidden was the financial controller.
Dr. Frederick-van Genderen's forte is science and engineering.After completing a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, she worked forthe Department of Environmental Health as a technologist and wasinstrumental in establishing and running their laboratory.
In 1988, Dr. Frederick-van Genderen became directly involved withCayman's water industry when she started working for the WaterAuthority as operations scientist. In 1995, she obtained her Doctoratein civil engineering from the University of Surrey in England.During her studies, she carried out extensive research on theWater Authority's waste-water treatment system which culminatedin five papers which were presented at specialised conferencesand published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
As deputy director for the past six years, Dr. Frederick-van Genderenwas responsible for the Human Resources and Quality Control Department.Her responsibilities included managing and developing personnel,overseeing quality control of the Authority's water supply, andmanaging scientific research.
As the new director, she has continued to build on the foundationlaid by her predecessor, Mr. Rick McTaggart, but in order to keepup with the Authority's growth, she has implemented various departmentaland organisational changes. "When these changes were proposedto the Board, they gave their full support," Dr. Frederick-vanGenderen said.
She says the Authority will continue to implement planned expansionand development projects as approved by the Board. Some of theseprojects are the Grand Cayman waste-water treatment plant, additionalproduction capacity in George Town, and continued extension ofthe water distribution system throughout the eastern districts.
Expressing her optimism for the future, Dr. Frederick-van Genderensaid: "I look forward to working with our Board of Directors,and I am very proud of our dedicated staff. Their commitment hasmade it possible for the Authority to grow into a well respectedutility."
Dr. Frederick-van Genderen resides in Bodden Town with her husbandHendrik-Jan, baby daughter Anja Ruth, and a variety of pets.
Mrs. Glidden was granted a Banker's Association Scholarship in1987 and attended the University of Miami. After obtaining herfirst degree in accounting in 1991, she joined the accountingfirm, Price Waterhouse, as a staff accountant and was promotedto senior accountant in 1994. She joined the Water Authority in1995 as financial controller. She also obtained her certifiedpublic accountant qualification the same year.
As financial controller, Mrs. Glidden headed the Financial AdministrationDepartment where she was responsible for management and accountingoperations, customer service, and administration. Having spentfive years in this position, she feels she has a good understandingof the Authority's operations and has developed strong managerialand leadership skills.
As deputy director, she assumes responsibility for the Human Resourcesand Administration Department where she will manage and developpersonnel as well as assist the director with financial planningand budget preparation. She feels ready for the challenge, shesays. "I'm looking forward to further developing the humanresources of the Authority to meet future growth, and I am veryexcited about working closely with all our staff," Mrs. Gliddensaid.
Mrs. Glidden lives in West Bay with her husband Cline and sonCline III.
The Water Authority, a government-owned statutory body, is chargedwith the responsibility of implementing water and sewage infrastructurefor the Cayman Islands, and with the protection of the water resourcesof the country. Currently, the Authority's customer-base is approximately8,000 water and sewage accounts.