|
Walter Bench joined Southwest Water Company as treasurer in November 2005. He is responsible for cash and credit management, bank relationships, debt issuance, risk and insurance management and effective communication of the Company’s operating and financial performance objectives and strategies to creditors. He is also actively involved with annual strategic planning and special projects.
Mr. Bench began his career in Houston, Texas, as a treasury analyst with Moran Energy, Inc. He then worked for Transco Energy Company as a staff financial analyst. In 1984, he relocated to Los Angeles to work as associate director, finance and senior risk management associate for Occidental Petroleum Corporation. He spent the 1990s working for Hughes Electronics Corporation as a finance manager. His previous position before joining Southwest Water was assistant treasurer with Conexant Systems, Inc., which designs and markets semiconductor solutions for broadband communications, enterprise networks and digital consumer product manufacturers. In this role, he was responsible for and/or assisted in domestic and international cash management and treasury operations, investments and corporate finance and risk and insurance management.
Mr. Bench holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science and geography from the University of Pittsburgh and a master of business administration from the University of Colorado. He also holds an associate degree in risk management and is a certified public accountant.
A former treasurer and president of the Los Angeles Treasurer’s Club, Mr. Bench is also a former director of the Los Angeles Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has taught intermediate and managerial accounting courses at UCLA Extension’s Department of Business and Management. | 