LADWP Gets New Interim General Manager
"LADWP's most important responsibility is to the people of our city -- its leader needs to be someone who understands what it takes to provide the quality, reliable service Angelenos deserve," said LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. "As I talk with David and review his impressive track record, it's clear to me that he isn't just a proven customer service specialist, he's the ideal candidate to lead LADWP into its next era."
The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners on Aug. 16 appointed David Wright as interim general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and asked the LA City Council to confirm his appointment as the permanent general manager. Wright has worked as LADWP's chief operating officer and as assistant general manager of the Power System since February 2015; as COO, he oversees Water and Power Systems, Customer Service and Information Technology Services, Supply Chain Services, Human Resources, Fleet Services, Equal Employment Opportunity Services and Communications, Marketing, and Community Affairs.
"LADWP's most important responsibility is to the people of our city -- its leader needs to be someone who understands what it takes to provide the quality, reliable service Angelenos deserve," said LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. "As I talk with David and review his impressive track record, it's clear to me that he isn't just a proven customer service specialist, he's the ideal candidate to lead LADWP into its next era."
Wright was the GM of Riverside Public Utilities for nearly 10 years and also was chief financial officer for the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and the Silver State Energy Association, overseeing a nearly $1 billion budget for those three water and electric organizations. He previously spent 15 years with the City of Riverside, where he served as deputy general manager and as city controller.
"As the nation's largest municipal utility, LADWP continues to need a leader with a focus on customer service, keen financial acumen, and the solid knowledge of operations in both the water and power," Board President Mel Levine said. "With Dave's significant background in utilities and finance, and very importantly, his intent focus on improving customer service through the work he has begun under Marcie Edwards' leadership, I believe that David Wright is the right person to lead this department forward."
Wright succeeds outgoing GM Edwards, who had served as LADWP chief since March 2014 and was the person who recruited Wright to join LADWP's ranks. "I have full faith in David Wright and know he will continue the progress we have made to meet Mayor Garcetti and the City Council's goals to better serve our customers, invest in replacing aging infrastructure, and continue to diversify and green LA's water and energy supplies," she said. "He has worked to improve our customer service division following the flawed rollout of our new customer information and billing system and helped manage the development of and build support for our recently approved water and power rate adjustments. He is an exceptionally talented leader and the right choice to lead LADWP."
The department serves more than 4 million Los Angeles residents.