For Immediate Release:
December 20, 2016
Lindsay, Calif. – The Friant Water Authority (FWA) has selected Douglas DeFlitch to serve as its first Chief Operating Officer (COO) in Lindsay, California, where he will oversee the FWA operations and maintenance work, budgets, and administration. DeFlitch will assume his new position on January 16, 2017.
DeFlitch has spent the last 10 years as a Hydrologist and Manager for the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). Since 2013 his assignments included four Reclamation projects in central and western Oregon. Some of the major programs he has managed include the Rogue River Project Biological Opinion implementation, the Deschutes Habitat Conservation Plan development, and the Scoggins Dam Safety of Dams project. From 2006 to 2013, DeFlitch served as a Supervisory Hydrologist for Reclamation at the South-Central California Area Office in Fresno, and as lead operator at Friant Dam. He has also performed several temporary assignments including Chief Hydrologist for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program and Deputy Area Manager for the South-Central California Area Office. Before his federal career, he was a Water Resources Specialist for the Friant Water Users Authority (predecessor to FWA) and Geologist for ENSR Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA. DeFlitch holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Geology from the University of Pittsburgh and California State University, Fresno, respectively. He is also a graduate of the USDA Graduate School Executive Leadership Program.
“This is an ideal time to welcome Doug back to the Friant family,” said Jason Phillips, Friant Water Authority’s Chief Executive Officer. “Doug’s experience with Reclamation, his understanding of the Friant Division and the critical issues facing our water users, and his experience leading and managing teams is exactly what FWA needs. Anyone who’s met Doug knows the energy and enthusiasm he’ll bring to this role, which was something our Board also recognized in Doug.”
“I'm excited to be back in the Valley, representing great people who do amazing work,” said DeFlitch. “Family farms, businesses, and cities depend on a reliable supply from Friant for their livelihood. The confidence the FWA Board and CEO have in my ability to succeed means a lot to me and will be important to our overall success.”
Contact:
Alexandra Biering
916-628-0431
abiering@friantwater.org
FWA is a joint-powers authority formed in 2004 by a majority of the water agencies receiving water from the Friant Division of the Central Valley Project. Its primary purposes are to operate and maintain the Friant-Kern Canal and to serve the information and representation needs of its member agencies.