Cortner Named Interim General Manager at Mojave Water Agency

Mojave Water Agency (MWA) announced last week that during the February 27 meeting, the Board of Directors named Kathy Cortner Interim General Manager.

Cortner will replace Tom McCarthy, who has served as General Manager since 2017 and accepted a position with the Kern County Water Agency.

“The Board of Directors has full confidence in Kathy’s ability to lead the Agency through this transition,” said Thurston “Smitty” Smith, MWA Board President. “She possesses 25 years of experience in the water industry and understands our region and the challenges we face. She has been active with the State Water Contractors, fighting for improvements in our contracts with the Department of Water Resources, to ensure sustainability for our region. We wish Tom well and appreciate his service. Our team at MWA is talented and I know Kathy and the team will accomplish much.”

Cornter has been with MWA for 12 years and was recently promoted to Assistant General Manager and prior to that was the Chief Financial Officer.

Cortner serves on various committees of the State Water Project Contractors and has the responsibility for developing and executing plans to optimize financial assets, including the State Water Project related assets, to mitigate current and long-term financial threats.

During her career at MWA she is credited with implementing new programs streamlining efficiency and creating greater financial accountability and transparency in the Agency’s budgeting and accounting processes. The Agency has been recognized for its excellence in financial reporting and has received a “perfect” audit for the past two fiscal years.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, San Bernardino.