IID names Brady as general manager By VICTOR MORALES, Staff Writer
Friday, March 14, 2008 10:39 PM PDT
After nine months without a permanent general manager, the Imperial Irrigation District named a veteran engineer and administrator to the top executive post Friday.
Brian J. Brady, 59, the current general manager of the Rancho California Water District in Temecula, a civil engineer and doctorate holder, was unanimously selected by the IID Board of Directors weeks ago, IID spokesman Kevin Kelley said.
Since then Brady had been negotiating his terms and conditions of employment, precluding an earlier announcement, Kelley said.
Brady was given a four-year contract worth $275,000 per year, Kelley said.
“Brian Brady comes to the IID with more than 30 years of engineering, management and organizational experience in the water and energy fields. We believe that he is the right individual to lead the district at this pivotal juncture in its history,” IID board President John Pierre Menvielle said through a press release.
While at the Rancho California District, Brady integrated an aggressive resource plan in order to meet municipal, industrial and agricultural needs, according to the IID’s press release.
“Like all energy and water utilities in the West, IID faces big challenges but with those challenges come distinct opportunities that will shape the organization’s future,” Brady said.
Specifically, Brady said in an interview with the Imperial Valley Press, protecting Colorado River allotments and establishing “equitable arrangements and rates for farmers” and “unrelenting” cost pressures of electricity are the IID’s major challenges.
Despite those challenges, Brady said the IID is an exciting opportunity.
“For a person like me it’s where I want to be,” Brady said, citing the experience and knowledge he gained and its potential application to the IID, including alternative energy.
“I think IID has the capability to become a major player in renewable energy,” he said.
The Rancho California District’s service area includes 100,000 acres, 940 miles of water mains, 36 storage reservoirs, 47 groundwater wells, and 40,000 service connections. More than 120,000 people are serviced by the district, according to its Web site.
Brady takes command of a considerably larger operation. The IID delivers water to more than 450,000 acres. The IID also has a large electrical division, California’s sixth-largest consumer-owned utility that serves more than 140,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers. It has a combined work force of more than 1,300.
“I look forward to working with the board and staff to protect and enhance the IID’s unique energy and water resources, strengthen its financial position and advance the level of service it provides to the public,” Brady said.
Brady will report directly to the five-member elected board. He characterized them as “assertive” and said he has the experience to work with them.
“I have both served on a board of directors and reported to them. Each of them has their particular characteristic, and I think this board, like most boards I have dealt with, are very dedicated to the best interest of their constituents,” Brady said.
Brady said he has met with each board members several times both collectively and individually.
Brady will likely assume his duties in mid-April, Kelley said. Presently a Riverside county resident, Brady said he intends to make the Imperial Valley his residence.
He will replace Interim General Manager Mike Campbell, who took over for another interim GM, Elston Grubaugh, in September 2007. The string of interim general managers began when General Manager Charles Hosken was fired after serving less than two years of his three-year contract.
Hosken’s termination followed an investigation into the district’s 2005 energy-trading program that exposed policies were violated and millions of dollars were spent beyond established restrictions.
" Congratulations Mr. Brady and welcome to the Imperial Valley. Though it sounds like you will be grossly over-paid Iam sure that its just a sign of the times and Iam equally optimistic that you are the right man for the job. The most recent interim manager had a habit of stepping over dollars to pickup pennies. Eliminating coffee from the offices was going to offset the gas hedging crisis, to say nothing of the moral boost it fostered.
You however appear to see the big picture and I have confidence the district, under your leadership, will again become the powerhouse in water and power it once was. I dont envy the task ahead of you though. You inherit a power customer base that has been protected from the real world for years. They have no idea what electricity really costs to produce or buy. Every state and municipality north and west of here wants our water and they will try to wear you down with lawsuit after lawsuit to get it. Hold "our" ground, dont waver. Good luck "
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zanelisk wrote on Mar 15, 2008 8:59 AM:
You however appear to see the big picture and I have confidence the district, under your leadership, will again become the powerhouse in water and power it once was. I dont envy the task ahead of you though. You inherit a power customer base that has been protected from the real world for years. They have no idea what electricity really costs to produce or buy. Every state and municipality north and west of here wants our water and they will try to wear you down with lawsuit after lawsuit to get it. Hold "our" ground, dont waver. Good luck "