Management Team
West Des Moines Water Works is professionally managed by an experienced staff with backgrounds in engineering, water treatment science, finance and accounting and operations. Working in tandem with the five-member board of trustees, the staff implements policies and directives designed to deliver safe, clean, quality drinking water to its customers.
Christina Murphy, General Manager
Ms. Murphy is a licensed professional engineer with experience and knowledge in water treatment, distribution and operations as well as environmental and regulatory matters. Formerly, she served as assistant director for the City of Ames Water & Pollution Control Department where she managed and implemented numerous capital projects including construction of a new 15 million-gallon-per-day (MGD) water treatment plant, development and integration of a new well field, installation of two miles of new raw water pipelines and construction of a new water tower. Ms. Murphy's impressive resume includes a five-year assignment with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service; working as a senior engineer for a private firm; and serving as a lecturer at Purdue University. A native of St. Charles, Missouri, she holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in biological engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also is licensed in the state of Iowa as a Grade II operator for water treatment and a Grade II operator for distribution.
William Mabuce, Principal Engineer – Water Distribution and Development
Mr. Mabuce is a licensed professional engineer in Iowa and Minnesota with more than twenty years of engineering experience working on a variety of water and municipal engineering projects. In his role at the Water Works, he oversees all facets of the utility's construction projects (outside of the treatment plant) including planning, design, bidding, monitoring and assessment. Before joining WDMWW, Mr. Mabuce worked as an engineer and project manager for two area engineering firms. He is a past-president of the Iowa Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota, a bachelor of arts degree from Luther College, and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Iowa. Mr. Mabuce has earned a Professional Operator designation in Water Distribution (Grade IV). Mr. Mabuce currently holds a Grade 4 Water Distribution and Grade 2 Water Treatment licenses from the State of Iowa.
Lyle Hammes, Principal Engineer – Water Production
Mr. Hammes is a licensed professional engineer with experience in municipal water plant operations, engineering, and management. In his role of principal engineer, Mr. Hammes manages projects related to wells, towers, pump stations, and the treatment plant. Formerly, he worked for a municipality as engineer, water plant superintendent, and assistant director. As superintendent, he began and managed a student operator program that gave many students their first opportunity to work in the water industry. He also was involved in the planning, design, construction, start-up, and operation of a new water plant. Mr. Hammes holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Iowa, where he began as a student operator. In addition, he holds Grade 4 Water Treatment and Grade 4 Water Distribution licenses and has been active in industry associations. This includes serving on the IA-AWWA Board for six years, in the position of chair in 2021-2022.
Pat Mullenbach, Finance Manager & Treasurer
Ms. Mullenbach joined WDMWW in April 2019. She brings an extensive background in finance, accounting and business leadership to the position, most recently serving in the role of chief financial officer (CFO) for Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa for seven years.
Before that, Ms. Mullenbach held the position of CFO with the State of Iowa's Department of Administrative Services. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Simpson College and a master's degree in business leadership from William Penn University.
Josh Heggen, Business Relations Manager
Mr. Heggen has served as the business relations manager since February of 2015. In this role, he is leading the effort in automating the WDMWW's meter reading functions. He manages the utility's billing and payment system as well as customer service and the water meter technicians. Before joining the West Des Moines Water Works, Mr. Heggen served in other local government capacities with the City of Norwalk and Windsor Heights. He has also worked for the State of Iowa with the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and Governor Tom Vilsack’s Office. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration and political science from the University of Northern Iowa and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University.
Mitch Pinkerton, Water Production Manager
Mr. Pinkerton has been with WDMWW since 1983, with in depth experience in the operation and management of water treatment and water distribution systems. Mr. Pinkerton was the Water Production Supervisor at the A.C. Ward Municipal Water Treatment Plant before becoming the Water Production Manager in 2010. As Water Production Manager, Mr. Pinkerton is responsible for operation and maintenance of water treatment, storage, and pumping facilities. Mr. Pinkerton is also responsible for maintaining a state-certified laboratory facility and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations for water quality and sampling. Mr. Pinkerton has earned Grade 4 licenses from the State of Iowa for Water Treatment and Water Distribution.
Mark Hanasz, Water Distribution Manager
Mr. Hanasz has been with the West Des Moines Water Works since 1994, beginning as a water meter reader and working his way to the Water Distribution Manager position in 2012. As Water Distribution Manager, Mr. Hanasz is responsible for the maintenance and operation of over 240 miles of water main, 2750 fire hydrants, and 3135 valves in the public water supply system. Additionally, Mr. Hanasz is responsible for the investigation and repair of water main breaks, ensuring service to customers is returned in a safe and expedient manner. Mr. Hanasz currently holds a Grade 3 license from the State of Iowa in Water Distribution.