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Nineteen-year water industry veteran Shivaji Deshmukh will assume his new position as general manager at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) beginning Monday morning, April 8. The IEUA Board of Directors announced Deshmukh’s appointment late last month.
“We are looking forward to having Shivaji join and lead our team as general manager. Shivaji is a proven leader with impressive credentials and experience in both water and wastewater management,” said IEUA Board President Paul Hofer. “His extensive knowledge and experience in water and resource management will be increasingly valuable in maintaining IEUA’s mission and vision.”
Most recently Deshmukh served as the Assistant General Manager at West Basin Municipal Water District (WBMWD) in Carson. While employed at WBMWD since 2010 Deshmukh oversaw engineering, operations, the recycled water program, and two major capital improvement programs. Deshmukh was also previously employed with Orange County Water District, managing the implementation, design, and construction of the award-winning Groundwater Replenishment System, a 100 million gallon per day potable reuse project.
Former general manager at Mojave Water Agency Kirby Brill came out of retirement last December to lead IEUA as interim general manager. Brill’s interim appointment came after IEUA’s General Manager Halla Razak resigned in Dec. 2018 due to family circumstances.
Deshmukh earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has been active in both WateReuse and the American Water Works Association. He is a licensed engineer with experience managing large infrastructure projects, operations, finance, and public outreach programs.
“IEUA is well known for its leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship and is well respected for securing grant funding for projects that aid in securing a quality water supply,” stated Deshmukh. “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.”
The 242-square mile IEUA 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 in the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, and Upland as well as the Cucamonga Valley Water District, Fontana Water Company, and Monte Vista Water District.
