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Executive Management
Executive Management leads the District’s daily operations and turns Board‑adopted policies into action, ensuring reliable water service, responsible stewardship of public resources, and a well‑supported workforce.
Meet the Executive Team
Ed Stevenson, General Manager
Ed Stevenson, General Manager, has been with the Water District since 1998. His background includes experience in engineering, operations, new development, water supply, water quality, information technology, customer service, and utility management since 1996. Prior to assuming the role of General Manager in July 2021, Mr. Stevenson managed various engineering and technology functions for a combined period of 17 years. As General Manager, Mr. Stevenson currently serves as the chief executive with responsibility for implementing the policy direction and decisions of the Board of Directors, and through subordinate managers, all engineering, planning, design, and construction activities, as well as the administrative, operational, and financial affairs of the Water District.
Mr. Stevenson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from San Jose State University and is a registered Civil Engineer in the state of California. He serves on the Board of California Urban Water Agencies and as Chair of the Bay Area Water Agencies Coalition. He is a member of the American Water Works Association and the Association of California Water Agencies and is past president of the Bay Area Waterworks Association and a former member of the CalDesal Executive Committee. Mr. Stevenson also holds Special District Manager certification from the California Special District Association Special District Leadership Foundation.
Learn more about the Office of the General Manager.
Jackie McCloud, Special Assistant to the General Manager
Jackie McCloud, Special Assistant to the General Manager, has been with the District since October 2024. She has 20 years of water resources management experience at the Cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz working in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, environmental quality programs, and legislative engagement with her most recent role as the Environmental Sustainability Division Manager. Ms. McCloud serves on the American Water Works Association CA-NV Water Utility Council and Cal Desal Executive Committee. As Special Assistant to the General Manager, Ms. McCloud’s areas of responsibility include legislative and intergovernmental affairs and programs, agency-wide policies, strategic planning, external workforce development and other plans, programs, and projects, and representing the District to federal, state, and local agencies, industry groups, community groups, educational institutions, and the public.
Ms. McCloud holds a B.S. in Earth Sciences from the University of California Santa Cruz and a M.A. in Security Studies from the Naval Post Graduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. She has completed the Duke University Water Innovation Leadership and Development Program and has previously held her water distribution and laboratory analyst certifications.
Learn more about the Office of the General Manager.
Girum Awoke, Director of Engineering & Technology
Girum Awoke has served as the Director of Engineering and Technology for the Alameda County Water District since September 2021. He brings more than two decades of professional experience in public works and utility engineering across both the public and private sectors. His executive leadership roles include Director of Public Works for the City of Vacaville, Public Works Director for the City of Gilroy, and Chief of Construction for Montgomery County, Maryland.
Mr. Awoke holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Maryland, along with multiple certifications in project management, alternative project delivery, and leadership. He also holds the Special District Manager certification from the California Special District Association’s Special District Leadership Foundation. An active member of numerous industry organizations, he contributes to committees within the American Water Works Association, Construction Management Association of America, Association of California Water Agencies, California Urban Water Agencies, and the Municipal Information Systems Association of California. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in California and holds Water Treatment and Distribution Operator certifications. Dr. Awoke has also served as adjunct faculty at California State University, East Bay, Santa Clara University, and San José State University.
Learn more about the Engineering & Technology Services Department.
Jon Wunderlich, Director of Finance & Administration
Jonathan Wunderlich currently serves as the Director of Finance & Administration for the District. In this capacity, he oversees Human Resources/Risk Management, Utility Billing, Accounting, Procurement, and Financial Planning, including budgeting and water rates. He also serves as the District’s alternate representative to the Delta Conveyance Finance Authority.
Jonathan previously served as the CFO/Administrative Manager of the Goleta Water District. Prior to entering the water industry, Jonathan served in various roles with the California Department of Finance and California Department of Health Care Services. His education includes a Master’s of Public Policy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, both from Brigham Young University. He is also a Certified Special District Manager through the California Special District’s Association.
Learn more about the Finance Department.
Dan Stevenson, Director of Operations & Maintenance
Dan Stevenson, Director of Operations and Maintenance, has been with the Water District since 2017 and has served as Director of Operations and Maintenance since October 2024. Prior to that, he served as Facilities Maintenance Manager at the Water District and held multiple positions with several Bay Area public works agencies including the cities of Dublin, Emeryville, Sunnyvale, Albany, and Hayward. As Director of Operations and Maintenance, Mr. Stevenson’s areas of responsibility include oversight of distribution maintenance and construction, water treatment and production, water quality, facility maintenance, environmental compliance, laboratory services, emergency and disaster preparedness and response, and security services.
Mr. Stevenson holds a B.A. in Leadership and Organizational Studies from St. Mary’s College of California, is a member of the Association of California Water Agencies, California Water Environment Association, and the American Water Works Association, is a graduate of the Alameda County Leadership Academy and Silicon Valley Leadership Group Leadership Sunnyvale, and holds Water Distribution and Water Treatment Operator certifications from the State of California and other related certifications and licenses.
Learn more about the Operations & Maintenance Department.
Laura Hidas, Director of Water Resources
Laura J. Hidas, Director of Water Resources, has been with the Water District since 2001, with experience in water quality and treatment, water supply, water system operations, and public affairs, and has served as the Director of Water Resources since December 2018. Her areas of responsibility include oversight of the Water District’s groundwater protection and management programs, water supply operations, imported water supply management, long-term water supply planning, and water conservation. She is a member of the American Water Works Association, the Association of Women in Water, Energy & Environment, and currently serves on the Association of California Water Agencies Water Management and Membership Committees.
Ms. Hidas holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University and a Master’s of Science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from University of California, Berkeley. Ms. Hidas is a registered professional engineer and a licensed Water Treatment Operator and Water Distribution Operator in the State of California. Ms. Hidas also holds Special District Manager certification from the California Special District Association Special District Leadership Foundation.
Learn more about the Water Resources Department.