Alyson Piguee—Building Trust Through Leadership & Connection by Santa Margarita Water District Jun 17, 2026 Member Submitted News At Santa Margarita Water District, strong public service depends on strong leadership—and Alyson Piguee brings both experience and purpose to the work of serving the community. As Director of Government & Public Affairs, Alyson leads the team responsible for communications, community outreach, public education, advocacy, marketing, media relations, and grants strategy. Her team helps connect customers, residents, elected officials, and community partners with the important work happening across the District every day. With more than 15 years of leadership experience across city, county, special district, nonprofit, and private sector organizations, Alyson brings a thoughtful, strategic perspective to her role. Before joining SMWD, she served in leadership positions with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and the County of Orange, where she guided public policy initiatives, organizational transformation efforts, emergency response coordination, and large-scale operational projects. Despite managing a broad range of responsibilities, Alyson is known for being approachable, collaborative, and deeply invested in people. Whether working with elected officials, supporting community outreach efforts, or helping teams navigate complex projects, she emphasizes transparency, responsiveness, and relationship-building. “Water and wastewater services are essential to everyday life, yet much of the work happens behind the scenes,” Alyson explains. “Our role is to help customers better understand how the District operates and how long-term planning and infrastructure investments support reliability, sustainability, and quality of life in the community.” Under Alyson’s leadership, Government & Public Affairs plays a key role in helping customers stay informed and connected to the important work being done to support the health of the community. The team also works to secure grant funding and external resources that help fund infrastructure investments while reducing financial impacts on the customers. Alyson is especially passionate about showcasing the exceptional work happening throughout the District and helping customers better understand the value of the services SMWD provides. “There is so much innovation and community-focused service happening across the organization,” she says. “I’m excited to help tell those stories and strengthen our connection with customers and stakeholders.” Outside of work, Alyson enjoys spending time with her husband, three-year-old son, and two dogs, Stella and Chase. Whether at the park, swimming, or spending time with neighbors and family, she values building meaningful connections and staying engaged with those around her. Through strategic leadership, clear communication, and a people-first approach, Alyson helps strengthen the connection between SMWD and the customers who depend on the District every day. Learn more about SMWD at SMWD.com/News.
