Thomas P. Evans, Western Municipal Water District’s board president, has been elected to represent the District on the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors. Evans succeeds S.R. “Al” Lopez who has served in the role since Jan. 2008. Western has one seat on the 37-member Metropolitan governing board.
“I’m honored to take on this critical position that provides a voice for the District and its constituents at the Metropolitan table. The Metropolitan Board plays a key role in shaping water use policy in Southern California,” Evans commented. Evans, who joined the Western board in Jan. 2007, represents Division 2, which consists of a portion of the City of Riverside south of Magnolia Avenue, north of Victoria Avenue and Alessandro Boulevard, as well as March Air Reserve Base. The five members of the Western Board of Directors comprise the governing body and are responsible for setting public policy. The Directors are elected to four-year terms by the registered voters in the five geographical divisions of the 527-square mile district.
John V. Rossi, Western’s general manager, said, “Tom has been instrumental in helping to guide our agency through complex policy issues these past 2-1/2 years. His knowledge of the critical water resource management issues facing our District is invaluable. His skills and experiences will serve the District well as he represents us on the Metropolitan board.”
Director Evans sits on numerous Western board committees including the City of Riverside and Eastern Municipal Water District; and on the Ad Hoc committee for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Coalition. He is the alternate representing Western with the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA).