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 4 Water Treatment licenses from the State of Iowa.

Lyle Hammes, Superintendent

Mr. Hammes is a licensed professional engineer with experience in municipal water operations, engineering, and management. As Superintendent, Mr. Hammes oversees both the water production and water distribution departments. Formerly, he worked over 20 years for municipalities in engineering roles and as water plant superintendent. As water plant superintendent, he began a student operator program that gave many students their first opportunity to work in the water industry. He was also involved in the planning, design, construction and start-up of a new water plant. Mr. Hammes holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Iowa. 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.

Matthew Probasco, Finance Manager and Treasurer

Mr. Probasco joined West Des Moines Water Works as Finance Manager and Treasurer in November 2024. In addition to leading all accounting and finance functions for the Water Works, Mr. Probasco provides budget analysis and modeling, works with outside auditors and presents a detailed monthly financial report to the WDMWW Board of Trustees. He previously served as budget director at Drake University where he coordinated the school's sizable operating budget. Before that he worked as a budget analyst and accountant for the VA Hospital in Des Moines. Mr. Probasco has a bachelors degree in finance from the University of Iowa and an MBA from Drake.

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.

Gary Eshelman, Water Production Manager

Mr. Eshelman joined West Des Moines Water Works in April 2025 as Water Production Manager. Working in water utility operations since 2007, Mr. Eshelman holds Grade IV licenses in Water Treatment and Water Distribution from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Grade IV is the highest level of licensure. As an integral member of the management team, Mr. Eshelman is responsible for all aspects of water production including the care, operation and maintenance of more than 20 source water wells, management of a lime-softening treatment facility capable of producing 10 million gallons per day (mgd) and delivery of safe drinking water to nearly 75,000 people.

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, 2,750 fire hydrants, and 3,135 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 4 license from the State of Iowa in Water Distribution.