Westlands GM Birmingham Announces Retirement by ACWA Staff Nov 28, 2022 Water News Thomas W. Birmingham has announced his plans to retire from Westlands Water District (WWD) as of Dec. 31, according to a district news release. The WWD Board of Directors will consider appointing an Interim General Manager in December to serve after Birmingham’s retirement and will discuss a process to select his replacement. Birmingham has worked on behalf of the district for more than 36 years – from 1986 through 2000 as outside counsel and since 2000 as General Manager. He is a recognized expert on issues of water and environmental law and has guided the district through complex water policy changes and some of the driest hydrology on record. “At the Board’s direction, one of Tom’s priorities over the last several years has been the Voluntary Agreements. People up and down the State, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have looked to Tom to help advance the program,” stated WWD Board of Directors member Daniel Errotabere in the news release. “I pray Tom’s retirement will not impede getting the Voluntary Agreements done, because they are our best hope to change the way State and federal agencies work to protect fish and to deliver water to people and farms.” “His work on behalf of Westlands, both as an attorney and as General Manager, has been exemplary,” stated WWD Board of Directors member Frank Coelho, Jr. in the news release. “His actions were always consistent with policy direction given by the Board. The reality is Westlands is always going to be reliant on surface water supplies moved through the Delta, and no one is more capable than Tom when it comes to enhancing and protecting those supplies.” “My greatest joy as General Manager has been my daily interaction with the people that make Westlands a wonderful place to work, including its directors and staff,” Birmingham stated in the news release. “I have the greatest respect for Westlands’ employees who work in the field and the district’s offices to deliver water to westside farms and communities. I want them to know how much I appreciate their diligent work.”
