David A. Garcia, who has three decades of experience in the water industry in Southern California, most recently as Assistant General Manager, Water Delivery, for Riverside Public Utilities, has been named Interim General Manager for RPU.
City Manager Mike Futrell named Garcia to the post today (4/15) in anticipation of RPU’s current Interim General Manager, Daniel E. Garcia, being named Executive Director of the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA). SCPPA has identified Daniel E. Garcia as its final candidate for the job and is scheduled to vote Thursday.
The appointment of David A. Garcia as Interim General Manager at RPU allows for a transition period at RPU, the City of Riverside’s provider of water and electric power. He is in his second stint at RPU, serving as an Assistant General Manager since August 2022 after working as Director of Water Operations at Eastern Municipal Water District in Perris.
“David Garcia knows well the importance of RPU in the Riverside community, for our residents, businesses and institutions of higher learning,” Futrell said. “His deep understanding of water issues facing the region, as well as his commitment to RPU’s ratepayers, make him the right person to take on this role.”
Garcia previously served as Water Systems Operations Manager for RPU before going to EMWD. Prior to that first stint with RPU, Garcia served as Water Production and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Walnut Valley Water District and Water Quality Supervisor at Orange County Water District in Fountain Valley.
Garcia has a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from UC Riverside and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from Cal State Fullerton. He holds numerous professional certifications and professional development achievements.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to show a greater level of leadership within RPU, a utility that has been a big part of my career development,” Garcia said. “I look forward to working even more closely with the RPU team to continue our tradition of excellence.”