Gloria Gray has become the first African American to be elected president of the West Basin Municipal Water District board.
Carol Kwan is the new vice president for the restructured board for the coming year.
Newcomers Harold Williams and Scott Houston were selected as treasurer and secretary.
Their combined leadership will guide West Basin’s declared initiatives to provide a safe future supply of high-quality water to its communities.
The board has been rocked by scandal and departures during the past eight months.
“While it has been a challenging water year,” said Ms. Gray, “West Basin plans to increase its water recycling efforts, conservation and education programs and expand on environmental studies regarding the future of ocean-water desalination.
“Furthermore, we remain committed to our continued transparency and ensuring public trust.”
Ms. Gray was first elected to the West Basin board in 2006 and recently won re-election in November. She represents Division II, Inglewood, South Ladera Heights, a portion of Lennox and Athens, Howard and Ross-Sexton.
Presently vice chair on the Metropolitan Water District board, she was appointed to represent West Basin on the National Water Research Institute Board of Directors. Ms. Gray recently became vice chair of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission Governing Board.
Ms. Kwan was elected to the West Basin board in 1996 as the first female and Asian American member. She represents Division III, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and a portion of Torrance. She is on the board of Cal Desal, a statewide organization to promote the understanding of the future need for ocean-water desalination projects in California.
Representing Division I, Carson, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills, and portions of San Pedro, Mr. Williams has held leadership positions in numerous civic organizations and various city commissions. Most recently, he was on the Carson Utility Users' Tax Citizens Oversight Committee. He was president of the American Public Works Assn.-Southern California Chapter, president of the City and County Engineers Assn., and treasurer of the Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers.
Mr. Houston represents Division IV, Culver City, El Segundo, Malibu, West Hollywood and Lennox, North Ladera Heights, Del Aire, Topanga, View Park and Windsor Hills. He is on the board of Tree Musketeers, a youth-led environmental organization that plants trees throughout El Segundo while teaching the youth valuable leadership skills. He previously served a four-year term on El Segundo's Public Works Committee where he evaluated infrastructure and capital improvement projects for the budget process.
Medha Paliwal may be contacted at MedhaP@westbasin.org
