Santa Clara Valley Water District appoints new chief executive officer
Norma Camacho takes over for Beau Goldie, who left in January 2016
Published in the August 9 – August 22, 2017 issue of Gilroy Life
By Staff Report
The Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors at its July 27 meeting selected Norma Camacho in a 4-3 vote to serve as the chief executive officer of the water district. Camacho has worked as interim CEO since March 2016, replacing Beau Goldie who left the district in January 2016.
The selection to the $400 million public agency overseeing the water needs of 1.9 million people follows a nationwide search for the water district’s new executive. The board conducted two rounds of interviews with the final candidates.
Camacho has demonstrated her ability to lead the SCVWD through major challenges in reducing flood risks, providing a reliable water supply and protecting our watersheds, said Board Chair John Varela.
“The board has great confidence that our new CEO will help us provide the vital services our community needs and expects.”
Before her appointment to CEO, Camacho worked as the district’s chief operating officer for Watersheds Operations. She has more than 25 years of long-range planning, program development, finance, and capital projects experience. Before she joined Santa Clara Valley Water District in March 2012, she was the director of the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, directing day-to-day operations.
Prior to that position she served in the Ventura County Executive Office as deputy executive director of finance and budgets.
She currently serves on the board of directors for the California Urban Water Agencies, WateReuse, Bay Area Council, the Silicon Valley Organization, and San Jose Evergreen Community College Foundation. She is also a member of the Santa Clara City Managers’ Association and the Bay Area Water Agencies Coalition.
“With major investments in water supply infrastructure, environmental work and flood protection improvements in our near future, it’s a challenging, yet exciting time for all of us who work every day to serve the people of Santa Clara County,” she said in a press statement. “We must focus on preparing for future wet and dry years to ensure our residents have a reliable water supply, no matter what extreme weather the changing climate brings. We are committed to protecting our environment and are working to restore habitat along creeks and the bay, clean toxins from the water, and make sure water is used efficiently. And we remain dedicated to keeping residents and businesses safe through our flood protection programs.”
