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The Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) Board of Directors announced the selection of Assistant General Manager Rachel Murphy to become the new General Manager (GM) following the retirement of Steve Welch. Murphy is set to become the first woman to lead CCWD in the GM role.
“The Board unanimously agreed that Rachel was the top candidate based on her extensive knowledge, professional experience and understanding of CCWD’s current and future needs to serve our customers,” said Board President Ernesto A. Avila. “CCWD has a talented workforce and Rachel is the right person to lead this team in developing innovative solutions and making smart investments for the future.”
Murphy started working at CCWD in 2008 as the Engineering Manager and was promoted to Director of Engineering in 2010. In 2019, she became Assistant General Manager overseeing the Engineering and Operations & Maintenance departments, leading approximately two-thirds of the employees at CCWD.
“As a nearly 15-year employee at CCWD, I am committed to this organization and our customers, and it is an honor to be selected as the next GM leading this team of respected professionals,” Murphy shared. “As GM, I will bolster our connection to the community we serve, champion the transformational changes needed to position us for the future and cultivate our valued local and regional partnerships.”
Murphy earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University and Master of Science in Engineering from University of California at Berkeley. Prior to CCWD, she worked for the City of Walnut Creek for 11 years, starting as an intern and working her way up to Engineering Services Manager.
Murphy will assume the role at the end of September.
