SJW Group announced that Mohammed G. (Rally) Zerhouni joined the company on Jan. 30 as the senior vice president of finance, principal accounting officer. Zerhouni was most recently the chief financial officer for Veolia North America regulated utility business, where he led a team of more than 50 professionals in critical areas, including accounting, financial planning and analysis, taxes, procurement, and rates.

In addition, he led the development and execution of the finance transformation roadmap. Prior to joining Veolia, he led audit engagement teams at PwC, which included engagements with large investor-owned utilities. Zerhouni was also an adjunct faculty at Franklin University teaching accounting courses.

He will assume the duties of Wendy Avila-Walker, vice president of finance, assistant treasurer and controller, who has announced her planned retirement effective March 3, 2023, after more than 17 years of service. Zerhouni is a certified public accountant. He attended Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in business Administration.

He also has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Franklin University.