FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 13, 2017
Contact:
Kathy Besser
Executive Manager of External Affairs
and Policy Development/AGM
909.993.1638
kbesser@ieua.org
IEUA Announces Halla Razak As New General Manager
Will join Agency on December 1, 2017
Inland Empire, CA – The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) Board of Directors announced today that Halla Razak will join IEUA as the Agency’s 17th general manager, beginning December 1. Ms. Razak brings more than 30 years of knowledge and experience to this very important next role in her career.
She currently serves as the Director of the Public Utilities Department at the city of San Diego, a position she has held for four years, overseeing more than 1,600 employees and a budget of $864 million. Under her leadership, the Public Utilities Department initiated the design of Pure Water San Diego, which by utilizing water purification technology to clean recycled water is expected to produce a third of the City’s drinking water by 2035.
Ms. Razak began her career with the city of San Diego, rising from Junior Engineer/Assistant Engineer to Chief Deputy Director of the Engineering and Capital Project Department over the course of 19 years. Prior to her current position, she was the Colorado River Program Director for the San Diego County Water Authority from 2005 – 2013.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the IEUA Board of Directors and staff to continue to enhance water resources management in the Chino Basin,” said Ms. Razak. “IEUA is well known for its leadership and innovation in sustainability, and I will work diligently to champion those values.”
[quote]“We are very excited and honored to have Halla Razak join and lead our team as general manager. Halla is a proven leader with stellar credentials and experience in both water and wastewater management,” said IEUA Board President Steve Elie.[/quote] “She will be invaluable to the Agency and the region as we address the many challenges ahead including the ongoing need for water-use efficiency, expanded use of recycled water and our continued focus and leadership on issues involved in environmental sustainability.”
Ms. Razak is a registered professional civil engineer in California, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Dayton (OH) and Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University. She will be replacing Joe Grindstaff, who is retiring from public service after almost five years at the Agency and a career at the local, regional and state levels that has spanned more than 40 years.
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The Inland Empire Utilities Agency covers 242-square miles, distributes imported water, provides industrial/municipal wastewater collection and treatment services, and other related utility services to more than 875,000 people through its member agencies which include Chino, Chino Hills, Cucamonga Valley Water District, Fontana, Fontana Water Company, Montclair, Monte Vista Water District, Ontario, and Upland.