March 30, 2022
West Basin Board Announces Gregory Reed As General Manager
The West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) Board of Directors announced that Gregory R. Reed, P.E. will serve as the new General Manager of the District. Bringing more than 30 years of public service and executive leadership in the water industry, Reed will support West Basin in achieving its water resiliency goals.
“Mr. Reed brings exactly the kind of experience and leadership we believe the District needs at this time,” said West Basin Board President Donald L. Dear. “Mr. Reed will help guide West Basin as it faces important near and long-term planning decisions.”
“I am honored to support the District with my experience in water resources strategic planning and project development to ensure a reliable water supply for the West Basin service area,” said Reed. “I am looking forward to working with the Board of Directors, District staff and regional partners to collaborate and continue the agency’s commendable legacy of leadership and innovation.”
Prior to joining the District, Reed served as the Assistant Director of Water Engineering
and Technical Services for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). He was responsible for guiding and supervising the long-range planning and development of water system infrastructure renewal and expansion projects including the over $400 million annual capital improvement program and over 140 projects. Reed also supervised the division’s asset management program, Geographic Information Systems, water system resiliency planning and safety program administration.
In addition, Reed was the group manager for the LADWP Water Rights and Groundwater Management Group and served on various groundwater agency committees such as West Basin Water Association/Water Rights Panel, the Upper Los Angeles River Area Administrative Committee and the early formation of the Santa Monica Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
Reed is a lifetime member of the Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers, helped established the first LADWP employee-based professional chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers and played a key role in employee recruitment, training and retention for the agency’s workforce diversity, equity and inclusion program.
Additional West Basin directors highly praised Reed’s qualifications. West Basin Division I Director Harold C. Williams stated, “In his 30 years of public service in the management of water, environmental and infrastructure initiatives, Mr. Reed has proven to be a visionary and inclusive leader. His commitment to innovation, sustainability, collaboration and community engagement will be critical as we continue to face challenges impacting our water supplies.”
“The challenges posed by California’s drought require innovative and dedicated leadership,” said West Basin Division II Director Gloria D. Gray. “Mr. Reed has the expertise and vision to build upon West Basin’s successes in creating a resilient water future.”
“It is a pleasure to welcome Mr. Reed as West Basin’s new General Manager,” said West Basin Division III Director Desi Alvarez. “As the District celebrates 75 years of service, it faces pressing financial and environmental challenges. Mr. Reed’s experience should serve him well to pivot the District’s financial practices and capital improvement program as it tackles addressing a drier climate and California’s drought in an affordable and environmentally sustainable manner.”
West Basin Division IV Director Scott Houston stated, “Mr. Reed is a well-rounded professional who brings a wealth of experience to the District. His prior experience managing capital improvement programs and developing local groundwater supplies will help West Basin achieve its long-term water goals.”
The West Basin Board of Directors voted to approve Reed’s 3-year General Manager Employment Agreement at their March 29 Board Meeting.
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West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) is a wholesale water agency that serves nearly one million people in 17 cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County. West Basin provides imported drinking water, recycled water, as well as conservation and education programs. Through its Water for Tomorrow Program, West Basin is committed to protecting, diversifying, and securing our water supply for the future while continuing a history of innovation and industry leadership. Visit www.westbasin.org to learn more.
