The Northwestern Water and Sewer District is getting a new captain at the helm. The board of trustees has appointed Douglas Stephens, P.E., as the district's next president, setting up a leadership handoff that will stretch into early 2026. Stephens is scheduled to step into the role on March 16, and will overlap with longtime president Jerry Greiner, who plans to retire effective April 4. Greiner has led the district since 1994 and is wrapping up more than 37 years in public service.
Board Confirms Selection And Transition Timeline
According to a board release reported by BG Independent, trustees formally announced Stephens' appointment in a statement dated Feb. 21 and set the March start date to build in a formal transition period. Board Chair Doug Miller said the board was "pleased to welcome Doug to lead the district," and the release noted that trustees pointed to his background as a strong match for the challenges ahead.
From Toledo Utilities To The District
Stephens most recently served as director of the City of Toledo's Department of Public Utilities, according to city legislative records. The city's packet that includes his name outlines work on debt, rates and utility modernization that he has been involved with, experience the Northwestern board cited as relevant for the district's needs; see the record at Toledo Legistar.
Experience And Stated Priorities
The board release states that Stephens brings about 24 years of experience in the water and wastewater sector. He has led engineering work on projects such as a raw water main replacement, upgrades at the Bay View wastewater treatment plant, phase II of the Toledo waterways initiative and modernization of customer billing and payment platforms.
In that same release, Stephens said his top priorities include maintaining high-quality water and sewer service, planning for growth, replacing aging infrastructure and communicating openly with customers. Trustees said those priorities and his technical background will be central as the district continues to juggle capital projects and regulatory demands.
Regional Projects On The To-Do List
The Northwestern district provides water and sewer service to multiple townships in Wood County and nearby areas and has taken on a series of regional pipeline and system expansion projects in recent years. Local coverage of a Liberty Center–McClure waterline award shows the kind of multi-jurisdiction work the district manages, according to 105.7 The Bull. Business listings for the district, including those at the Chamber of Commerce, underscore its regional footprint.
Handoff And What To Watch
Board leaders say they expect the transition to unfold smoothly as Stephens and Greiner work together through the overlap period in 2026. Regional outlets have also taken note of the leadership change; see additional coverage by The Blade.
