Kelly M. Graplar is the Deputy CEO at Iowa Lakes Regional Water (ILRW) with eighteen years of experience in the water / wastewater industry where she started her career. Her involvement over the years includes regulatory compliance, project development, federal and state funding, safety compliance, inventory, mapping, board development, human resources, and employee leadership and development. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business with a concentration in Human Resources from Buena Vista University and an undergraduate degree in CAD Technology from Iowa Central Community College. Ms. Graplar has had numerous opportunities to engage in stakeholder and government meetings, educate neighboring rural water systems, and building relations with various agencies, governments, and communities.

Iowa Lakes Regional Water is a not-for-profit organization serving multiple counties in Northwest Iowa and Southwest Minnesota. ILRW is one of the largest rural water systems in Iowa. The water system has approximately 2,000 miles of main and a service area of over 4,800 square miles. The organization also accepted the responsibility to partner with several communities on their wastewater needs and to protect the environment.

Ms. Graplar strongly advocates and implements leadership strategies by example, creating a positive employee empowerment culture in the workplace. She strongly believes in consolidation and building solid rural community relationships. Ms. Graplar drives to challenge the team to analyze their environment to make clear powerful decisions to be proud of.