Read about our leadership team.
JT Hand
President & Chief Executive Officer
Joseph “JT” Hand is our Company’s 22nd President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his appointment as President and CEO on March 1, 2020, JT served as Chief Operating Officer from 2008 to 2020, directing the majority of the Company’s operations, including engineering, physical plant, and executing all elements of the Company’s growth and quality strategies.
Prior to joining The York Water Company, JT served for 22 years on Active Duty in the US Army, culminating with his assignment as Deputy Commander and Deputy District Engineer, Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer. Currently, JT is a Director of the National Association of Water Companies and Chair of the Pennsylvania Chapter of NAWC. His leadership in these organizations at the state and national levels is matched only by his leadership and involvement in our local community where he continues to serve as a Director on many non-profit Boards. You’ll often cross paths with JT during volunteer events and on weekends in support of community and non-profit initiatives.
JT’s breadth of knowledge and experience in engineering, contract management, and the Company’s regulatory landscape is invaluable to the strategic vision, economic growth, and mission of the Company.
JT is a distinguished military graduate of the University of Vermont with a BS in Civil Engineering, and is a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College and Defense Language Institute. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from York College of Pennsylvania and, oddly enough, is fluent in Portuguese.
Vernon Bracey
Vice President – Customer Service
Vernon Bracey has been Vice President-Customer Service of the Company since March 2003. He is responsible for leading the Company’s efforts to foster positive customer experiences.
Before serving as VP-Customer Service, Vernon was the Company’s Customer Service Manager from 2000 to 2003 and Meter Reading Manager from 1998 to 1999. Prior to joining York Water, he worked for an electric utility company and held various positions of increasing responsibility for more than fifteen years.
Vernon’s knowledge of regulatory requirements concerning customers in the utility business aids the Company’s efforts to remain competitive and compliant.
Vernon holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern University and associate degree from Pennsylvania Institute of Technology.
Mark Snyder
Vice President of Engineering
Mark Snyder has served York Water as the Vice President of Engineering since May 2009. Prior to this, Mark was Engineering Manager from October 2007 to April 2009 and Engineer from December 2006 to October 2007.
Before joining the Company, Mark worked as a project manager and design engineer for several consulting firms in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Buchart Horn, RETTEW, and KCI Technologies.
A native of York County, Mark is a licensed Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.
Alex Chiaruttini
Chief Administrative Officer & General Council
Alexandra “Alex” Chiaruttini joined The York Water Company as Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel in 2020. Alex has overall responsibility for The York Water Company’s administrative functions, corporate governance, litigation, and she provides legal counsel in acquisitions and across the company’s operations and services. She is a key member of The York Water Company’s Executive team, which establishes strategy for the company. Alex Chiaruttini reports directly to our CEO, JT Hand.
Prior to The York Water Company, Ms. Chiaruttini served the Pennsylvania Governor as Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Her primary responsibility was to provide legal counsel and representation to the Executive agency personnel and to the Governor’s Office on foundational, consequential, and emerging legal issues within the agency’s jurisdiction. In addition, Alex worked over 15 years in private practice as an environmental attorney focused primarily on water, wastewater, and water resource issues in the mid-Atlantic region.
Her career-long interest and personal investment in the environment and water is an additional dimension to her value at The York Water Company.
Ms. Chiaruttini holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Lehigh University, a Master of Science degree from Duquesne University, and a J.D. from The Dickinson School of Law.
Matt Poff
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Matthew “Matt” Poff has been Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since January 2018. Matt is a key member of The York Water Company’s executive team, which establishes strategy for the company. He reports directly to our CEO, JT Hand.
Before he was tapped to serve as the CFO, Matt served as the Company’s Controller from 2009 to 2017. Prior to joining the Company, he served as CFO for a regional contractor and held various positions of increasing responsibility at Beard Miller Company LLP, a regional accounting firm in York, PA for more than ten years.
Matt’s financial expertise and thorough understanding of the utility sector is of great value to The York Water Company as we continue to expand our service territory, make generational investments, and undertake new corporate strategies.
Matt is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and holds a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA degree from York College of Pennsylvania.
Matthew Scarpato
Vice President of Operations
Matthew “Matt” Scarpato has been Vice President of Operations since July 2023. Matt oversees and directs the Company’s operations, including maintenance and grounds, distribution, water quality, and wastewater.
Prior to joining the Company, he served as Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer in the Senior Living industry from 2020 to 2023, served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the York Jewish Community Center from 2010 to 2020, and held positions in consulting and banking.
Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from York College of Pennsylvania and an MBA degree from Pennsylvania State University.