Ernie Avila

Ernie A. Avila, P.E., was appointed in March 2016 to represent Division 3 for the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), which includes eastern Concord, Clayton, and part of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill. He was re-elected in 2020 and currently serves as CCWD’s Board President, a position he has held since 2022 after serving as Vice President since 2021.

In December 2025, Avila was elected President of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) for a two-year term. Prior to this he served as Vice President. He has been involved with the ACWA for over twenty years at the regional, state and national level. His ACWA experience includes serving on ACWA’s: Executive Committee of the ACWA Board of Directors; Board of Directors; Region 5 Board; Local Government Committee as Chair; Federal Affairs Committee; and the ACWA Foundation Steering Committee.

Avila is passionate about water issues in his professional life, working on a variety of issues statewide during his career as a licensed civil engineer. While working full time, he has also made volunteering in the community a priority, representing his neighbors and family on important issues that affect their everyday life. He actively serves on citizen-based organizations focused on regional planning, transportation, health, economic development, agriculture and education.