Biography

Dave Kralle is Vice President, Public Affairs of Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG), one of the largest publicly traded water, wastewater and natural gas providers in the U.S., serving approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states.

Kralle assumed his current role in January 2024 after almost nine years at the company. In his role, Kralle’s responsibilities include corporate communications, community affairs, legislative advocacy and the Essential Foundation.

Prior to his current role, Kralle served as Chief of Staff to Essential’s Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin who created the role shortly after his appointment in 2015. As chief of staff, Kralle played a key role, ensuring that the company’s vision and core values — including an increased emphasis on people — are fully integrated throughout the organization.

Before joining Essential’s Aqua Pennsylvania subsidiary as the government affairs specialist in 2015, Kralle worked for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the Office of the Speaker, Philadelphia City Council and at a government affairs firm in Harrisburg.

At Aqua Pennsylvania, Kralle played a key role in the passage of Fair Market Value legislation that allows regulated utilities to pay the fair market value for water and wastewater systems as well as legislation permitting utilities to replace homeowners lead service lines and damaged sewer laterals. He was also successful in working with state appropriators to secure millions of dollars for PFAS treatment in Montgomery County.

Kralle earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Temple University and his Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to his Essential responsibilities, he is a member of his local borough planning commission.