Velma Redmond Joins Cargas Systems Board of Directors
Lancaster, Pennsylvania – March 27, 2018 – Cargas Systems, an employee-owned business software and consulting company with more than 100 employees, is thrilled to announce that Velma Redmond has joined the Cargas Board of Directors.
A majority of the positions on the Cargas board are held by employee-owners, with the remaining positions held by top leaders of other successful organizations. As the company grows and becomes more complex, Cargas continuously seeks to enhance the qualifications and range of diverse perspectives on its board. The addition of Velma Redmond brings a wealth of new experience and knowledge to the company’s leadership.
A Philadelphia native, Redmond is the retired Divisional General Counsel for American Water, the country’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. In that role, Redmond practiced corporate and utility law, managing the company’s legal affairs in four states and successfully completing more than 70 acquisitions and financings during her tenure.
Before Redmond joined American Water, she held several positions in state government, including Chief Counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of State and Assistant Attorney General for the Pennsylvania Department of Justice.
Perhaps even more impressive is Redmond’s dedicated service to community organizations. Redmond currently serves on the boards of Capital Blue Cross, High Industries, Elizabethtown College, and The Pennsylvania Society. She recently completed her term chairing the boards of the Milton Hershey School and Hershey Trust Co.
Among her numerous awards, in 2007, Redmond, Chair Emeritus of the Board of Trustees, received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service from Harrisburg Area Community College. In 2016, she was named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania by Governor Tom Wolf.
Redmond attributes much of her success to her parents, who emphasized education as the path to a successful career, and her older sister, who persevered through a lifelong physical disability to give back to the local community. Redmond also credits her own grit, resilience, and perseverance, qualities she hopes to pass on to others through her leadership and mentorship roles.
Redmond holds a B.A. from Princeton University and a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law.
“When considering members for our board of directors, we are looking for someone who has already successfully navigated a path our company is trying to follow. A strategic thinker and leader who we feel can embody our purpose and core values. We have certainly found that in Velma,” said Nate Scott, President and CEO.
“As a shared success company, our focus is not just on ourselves, but on those around us. Velma will clearly be able to guide us in company strategy and succession, but I also think she will help us better engage with our local community and make a difference for those living right here in Lancaster,” added Chip Cargas, Founder and Chairman.