RIVERSIDE, CA – Western Municipal Water District’s (Western Water) Board of Directors voted to appoint Director Mike Gardner to serve as the 2023 board president and Director Laura Roughton to serve as board vice president.
“We are thrilled to have Directors Gardner and Roughton lead the board this year,” said Craig Miller, Western Water’s General Manager. “Their experience, knowledge and passion will help us to deliver on Western Water’s mission of delivering safe and reliable water and wastewater services to the diverse communities we serve.”
Director Gardner represents Division 1, which includes a portion of the City of Riverside located north of Highway 91 and extending to the San Bernardino County line.
Director Gardner serves on the board for Western Water’s Finance Committee, and the joint committees for the City of Riverside and Eastern Municipal Water District. He also represents Western Water on the boards for the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority and the Chino Basin Watermaster.
Prior to joining Western Water’s board, Director Gardner served on the Riverside City Council for 12 years, where he was a member of the council committee overseeing Riverside’s Public Utilities. He also previously served as the Governor’s appointee to the Seismic Safety Commission for more than 10 years, serving three different Governors.
“I want to thank the Board for placing their trust in me. I look forward to helping our board members in service of our customers and staff,” said Board President Mike Gardner.
With an extensive background in successful public service, working knowledge of the water industry, and municipal oversight and policy experience, Laura Roughton joined Western Water’s Board of Directors in August 2021. She represents Division 4, which includes the communities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley and Norco.
Director Roughton serves on Western Water’s Finance Committee, and Community and Government Affairs Committee, as well as the Rancho California Water District joint committee. In addition, she sits as Western Water’s representative to the Chino Desalter Authority and the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority.
“Working together with my colleagues, I will do my best to advance the strategic priorities of our District,” said Western Water’s Board Vice President Laura Roughton. “With supply challenges continuing this year and beyond, I am excited about opportunities ahead such as Solve the Water Crisis, that will advance solutions to benefit our region’s residents and businesses as well as all Californians.”
Western Water’s Board of Directors meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m.; customers and the public can tune into Board Meetings via livestream. Agendas are posted online in advance of each meeting and recordings are made available following each meeting. For access to agendas, livestream and recordings, visit wmwd.com/BoardMeeting.
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Western Municipal Water District is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County, providing water and wastewater (sewer) services to nearly a million people, both retail and wholesale customers who live, work, and play within 527-square miles in one of California’s most populous regions. Learn more: wmwd.com.