Arletta Scott Willams was appointed as the Executive Director of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) in July 1998. After serving in a number of capacities at the 200 MGD wastewater treatment plant.

Arletta's career at ALCOSAN began in 1984 and included positions as Shift Engineer, Solid Process Superintendent, and, in August 1994, promotion to Director of Operations and Maintenance. In this position, she was responsible for overseeing daily operations of the treatment plant, 85 miles of interceptor sewer lines, and almost 160 employees.

She concurrently also served as Deputy Executive Director after being appointed to that position by the ALCOSAN Board in December 1996.

She lists among her accomplishments the improved cooperation and coordination between two key departments - Operations and Maintenance. The ability to teach and mentor union as well as management employees, and ensuring that the wastewater treatment process meets and even exceeds regulatory requirements thereby earning recognition from public health officials, regulators, intergovernmental officials and visitors to the facility.

Arletta earned a B.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from Carnegie Mellon University. Before joining ALCOSAN, Arletta was employed by U.S. Steel in the Steel Works Quality Control division of the Metallurgical Department.

The number one has surrounded Arletta throughout her career beginning with graduating first in her class from Westinghouse High School. At ALCOSAN, she was the first woman to serve as Director of Operations and Maintenance, the first Deputy Executive Director, and is the first woman and African American to serve as Executive Director in the Authority's history.