Santa Margarita Water District Selects Robert Grantham as New General Manager by Santa Margarita Water District May 8, 2024 Member Submitted News Rancho Santa Margarita – The Board of Directors of the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert S. Grantham as its next General Manager. Grantham will begin in the role on June 17, 2024. Grantham is a seasoned public servant and water leader, having most recently served as the General Manager of the Rancho California Water District. At Rancho, Grantham led efforts to define and adopt the District’s Strategic Plan, secured $60 million in grants and congressional authorizations to fund the District’s strategic water supply program, and formed the Western Riverside Water Alliance to plan for regional water supply and storage solutions, among many other accomplishments. Grantham is no stranger to Santa Margarita, having served as its Assistant General Manager for four years, where he led the District’s finance, IT, and customer relations divisions. Grantham spent the earlier part of his career in management and financial consulting, with a focus on public utilities and other government agencies that provide essential services to the public across California and the U.S. “Robb brings back to the District a knowledge and expertise that can be a cohesive force in South Orange County while continuing the District’s leadership in securing a sustainable supply of affordable, quality water and wastewater service, and becoming an influential voice in State and National water policies,” said Saundra Jacobs, President of Santa Margarita Water District. High on Grantham’s list of priorities for SMWD are establishing a strategic direction and long-range trajectory for the District and the region, focusing the District into an organization that supports community and influences industry, and creates an environment that supports and rewards innovation. “It is an honor to be selected to serve as the next general manager of the Santa Margarita Water District, to be given the opportunity to build on the foundation of excellence and innovation, which are both hallmarks of the organization. I am also excited to work on behalf of the board and in collaboration with my colleagues and friends within South Orange County, ” said Robert Grantham. Grantham will lead the charge as the District continues to provide high-quality drinking water services and reliable recycled water and wastewater services to 200,000 residents in nine unique Orange County communities: the cities of Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, and the communities of Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch, Village of Sendero and Esencia, and Talega in San Clemente. Grantham is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College. His appointment to lead the Santa Margarita Water District comes after a comprehensive search and evaluation process. He succeeds Interim General Manager Donald H. Bunts, who has served Santa Margarita as Deputy General Manager and Chief Engineer.