Name: Heather Krupa

Age: 42

Business Name: EPCOR

Town/Neighborhood: Terramar, Peoria

Hours of Operation: Nonstop

Personal Background Highlights: I’m a wife and mother of four children, ages 9, 8, 5, and 3, and have been married for 11 years. I volunteer at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Surprise, where I help with Sunday School. I also serve as a board member and Chair of Operations for the Peoria Diamond Club. Between managing my children’s soccer and class schedules, participating in CrossFit and running, and keeping Roxie the dog and Rhonda the cat civil with one another, life stays pretty busy.

Professional Background Highlights: After graduating with honors from DePaul University with a degree in accounting and a minor in political science, I began my career with Ernst & Young in Chicago. During my time as an auditor, I developed expertise in the oil and gas industry and worked on audits for companies such as BP and Chesapeake Energy. Most of my career was spent managing SEC reporting for large companies, including Exelon and FTD.

My supervisors often recognized my ability to manage complex accounts and improve efficiencies. One notable accomplishment was helping reduce the audit timeline for BP from six weeks to just two.

After relocating to Arizona, I joined Global Water Resources, where I served as SEC Manager and later Controller for four years. I then spent time in consulting roles with SimonMed Imaging at Embark before returning to a corporate finance leadership path.

When the Controller position at EPCOR became available, my experience with public-company reporting, including Global Water Resources’ post-IPO, aligned well with the company’s needs. Since joining EPCOR, I’ve focused on improving processes, increasing efficiency, and building scalable systems that support future growth.

What I Do: I enjoy approaching challenges from a big-picture perspective. My focus is on building efficiencies, creating scalable processes, strengthening financial operations, and developing future leaders through succession planning.
Most importantly, I strive to create a supportive, family-oriented culture where people have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.

What I Like Most About Doing Business Here: After more than 20 years in accounting, this is one of the first organizations where I have felt truly supported. EPCOR’s leadership team regularly checks in with employees, provides mentorship, and invests in helping people succeed.
The company prioritizes its people and recognizes those who contribute positively to the organization. EPCOR genuinely embodies a “people first” culture.

Previous Occupation and Why I Left: After spending time consulting, I realized I wanted to return to a long-term executive leadership path. I enjoy challenging myself professionally and wanted an opportunity to continue growing in my career.

Changes I’d Like to See in This Area: I would love to see continued growth and strategic acquisitions within the water industry, including further consolidation of water systems. My vision is for EPCOR to become the premier leader in water services, much like APS is recognized in the electric utility industry.

What I Am Promoting: As I’ve advanced in my career, I’ve gained a broader perspective on leadership and business. One area I’m passionate about is supporting and mentoring women in leadership roles.

While I firmly believe in hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of gender, I also believe organizations benefit from diverse perspectives. Creating an equitable environment where everyone’s voice can be heard ultimately makes companies stronger. I would welcome opportunities to help elevate female leaders and increase their visibility at every level of an organization.

What I’m Excited About and Why: Professionally, I’m excited by the opportunity to improve processes and help our organization continue growing. Watching my team develop new skills and take on greater responsibilities has been incredibly rewarding.

Personally, I’ve enjoyed putting down roots in the West Valley and watching my children grow and thrive in the community.

Favorite Community Cause and Why: The Peoria Diamond Club is my favorite community organization. Through volunteer efforts and fundraising, it supports local youth programs in education, wellness, fine arts, and athletics throughout Peoria and the West Valley.
The organization has personally impacted my family by providing a positive environment where children can build confidence, friendships, and resilience. Its focus on youth development and community involvement has been invaluable to my children.

One concern I have is that organizations like the Peoria Diamond Club often depend heavily on spring training revenue and charitable support. Continued community awareness and engagement are essential to ensuring these programs remain available to children who benefit from them.

When and Why I Started My Employment Here: I’ve worked in the water industry since moving to Arizona. In a desert environment, there is no clearer example of supply and demand, making it a fascinating and important industry.

In addition, water is an essential service that many people take for granted until it’s unavailable. Following my experience in utility reporting and my time with Global Water Resources, joining EPCOR felt like a natural next step. I was excited by the opportunity to contribute to a larger organization with significant growth potential and a substantial capital investment program.

My Family: My family is deeply involved in community activities, particularly sports and CCD programs. Since our extended family remains in Chicago, we’ve built strong connections within our local community here in Arizona.

I’m incredibly fortunate to have a supportive husband who has always encouraged my professional growth. His flexibility and willingness to help with school pickups, practices, and family responsibilities have made it possible for me to pursue my career while maintaining a strong family life.