Southern California Water Committee’s Executive Director Joan Anderson Dym Retires

July 13, 2009   
 

Rancho Cucamonga, CA - The Southern California Water Committee (SCWC), one of the region’s most respected voices on water policy, announced today the retirement of its long-time executive director, Joan Anderson Dym.  Ms. Dym has headed the SCWC for more than 20 years, successfully launching the organization from a simple, start up venture to a powerful voice and educational resource on statewide water issues for Southern Californians.

“Joan’s leadership was fundamental to the growth and success of the Southern California Water Committee.  Under her direction, the organization became one of the most respected voices in the region on water issues facing the state.  Her unwavering commitment to ensuring that California has a reliable, high-quality water supply has laid the foundation for the committee to effectively continue and expand its work in a time when it is more important than ever,”  said Charles Wilson, chairman of the Southern California Water Committee. “We are incredibly fortunate for the lasting contributions she has made to this organization and wish her a fond farewell.”

SCWC jointly announced the formation of a new leadership team that is poised to tackle statewide water supply and water quality issues head on, with special attention directed to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta).  At this critical juncture of state legislative consideration of the future of the State Water Project and policies affecting water supply throughout the state, the SCWC Board and its Strategic Planning Task Force decided to implement an interim business strategy.

Ron Gastelum, SCWC Board member, attorney and retired CEO and general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, will serve as the interim executive director, overseeing SCWC staff and consultants and leading the organization in its mission to promote a safe, affordable, and reliable water supply for Southern California.  He agreed to take on the additional responsibilities of this position for up to one year on a pro bono basis.

Mr. Gastelum is engaged in business with Cordoba Corporation, an engineering and construction company, and with Energy Choice Inc., a renewable energy services company, and serves on various non-profit boards.
   
“As we confront the statewide water crisis and seek solutions for the Delta, we are very pleased that Ron has agreed to serve in this advisory capacity for the Southern California Water Committee,” added Wilson.  “Ron’s insight and long-term experience on water policy and legislative processes will be instrumental as our organization seeks to educate and engage Southern California audiences on potential options to pursue.”

Additionally, the SCWC has retained Fiona Hutton & Associates, a Los Angeles-based public affairs firm well-versed in statewide water issues, to provide strategic communications, public education, outreach and advocacy services to the organization, reflecting the Board’s desire to take a more proactive educational role and advocacy stance on policy affecting the state’s water supply.

“The Southern California Water Committee is committed to its goals of educating government and business leaders and the general public about our valuable water resources and, with the highly-valued support of our board of directors, we are poised to enhance and expand our voice and role in California,” said Ron Gastelum, interim executive director for the Southern California Water Committee.  “This year, solving the Delta crisis is tantamount – we need to identify an effective and prudent fix that helps restore the eco-system and assures a stable water supply for millions of Californians, their families, their businesses and their farms.”

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