Keith Abercrombie Promoted to Assistant General Manager and Mike Alvord Promoted to Chief Operating Officer

Effective August 1, 2026, the SCV Water Board of Directors appointed Steve Cole as General Manager following the retirement of Matt Stone. As General Manager, Cole oversees Agency operations to ensure reliable delivery and effective management of its water supplies for the Santa Clarita Valley. He was instrumental in the formation of SCV Water, collaborating with various partners and interested parties over a two-year period to support the passage of SB 634 (Wilk), which established the regional water agency in January 2018. Cole previously served as SCV Water’s Assistant General Manager for eight years.

“The Board is thrilled to have Steve as General Manager to lead the next chapter for SCV Water,” said Board President Maria Gutzeit. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Steve since 2003. His knowledge and expertise on local, regional, and statewide water issues make him the ideal leader for our Agency. He is the right person to guide the Santa Clarita Valley community as we build long-term resilience and sustainability for our water future.”

During his tenure with SCV Water, Cole has focused on strengthening regional water resiliency by advancing initiatives that help the Agency adapt to extreme weather conditions, meet evolving regulatory requirements, and secure a reliable water supply for customers. He is also leading a proactive, multi-year effort to restore local groundwater supplies through the construction of water treatment facilities that remove PFAS and improve water quality.

Drawing on more than 25 years of water industry experience, including 13 years as General Manager of the former Newhall County Water District, Cole is focused on growing the Agency to meet the evolving needs of the Santa Clarita Valley. His experience helps to align employees around shared goals, while his calm, approachable, and trustworthy leadership fosters a collaborative and supportive workplace culture.

Promotions

With the appointment of Cole as General Manager, Chief Operating Officer Keith Abercrombie was promoted to Assistant General Manager to fill the vacated position. He will oversee the Agency’s Engineering, Water Resources, Operations and Maintenance, Water Quality, Safety and Emergency Preparedness functions. Abercrombie will serve alongside existing Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration Rochelle Patterson.

“Keith has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to serving our customers and our community. His promotion to Assistant General Manager reflects not only his outstanding contributions over the years, but also his ability to help lead the Agency into the future,” said General Manager Cole. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside Keith as we advance our strategic priorities, invest in reliable water infrastructure, and ensure SCV Water remains well positioned to meet the needs of our growing community.”

 

Director of Maintenance and Operations Mike Alvord has also been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and will oversee the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Agency, which includes water treatment, production and distribution, water quality laboratory and regulatory compliance, and field services.

“Mike’s ability to lead complex operations, inspire our teams, and deliver reliable, high-quality water services has earned the respect of colleagues and stakeholders alike,” stated Cole. “I am confident that as our Chief Operating Officer, he will continue to drive operational excellence, foster innovation, and help position our Agency for long-term success. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated leader guiding our operations into the future.”

Keith Abercrombie Biography

Keith Abercrombie is the Assistant General Manager of the Agency and previously the Chief Operating Officer. He was also the Retail Manager of the former Santa Clarita Water Division. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University and received his Master’s in Business Administration, Agribusiness from Santa Clara University. Prior to employment with Castaic Lake Water Agency, Mr. Abercrombie served as General Manager of the Valencia Water Company. Mr. Abercrombie previously worked at the Newhall Land and Farming Company, serving as assistant to the Vice President of Agriculture and Manager of Energy Resources. Mr. Abercrombie holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator certification and a Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator certification from the State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Drinking Water and is a member of the American Water Works Association and the Association of California Water Agencies.

Mike Alvord Biography

Michael Alvord is the Chief Operating Officer of the Agency. He previously served as the Director of Operations & Maintenance from January 2018 through July 2026. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Alvord was employed with Valencia Water Company (VWC) and then Newhall County Water District (NCWD) before the formation of SCV Water in 2018. At VWC, Mr. Alvord held the positions of Water Quality Specialist, Manager of Water Quality, Assistant Operations Manager, and Operations Manager before moving to NCWD where he served as the Director of Operations and later the Assistant General Manager. Mr. Alvord earned his B.A. in Environmental Biology and his M.S. in Environmental & Occupational Health from California State University, Northridge, and has taught environmental- and math-related courses at CSUN, College of the Canyons and for the American Water Works Association. He holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator certification and a Grade 3 Water Treatment Operator certification from the State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Drinking Water and is a member of the American Water Works Association.

About SCV Water

The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to more than 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at www.yourSCVwater.com.