On Tuesday, Director John A. Coleman announced he was resigning from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and was moving away. His term expires Dec. 31, 2026.
In his statement he said he was resigning from not only the EBMUD, but also from his position as CEO of the Bay Planning Coalition after he accepted a position as manager of Natural Resources at the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD). He would be relocating from Lafayette to Arnold. He anticipated his resignation to be effective in late February.
Here is his statement:
A new year often brings change. For me, 2024 will bring the biggest changes to my life in over 30 years. Exactly thirty-three years ago, in January 1991, I first took the oath of office as a member of the Board of Directors at EBMUD. Coincidentally, and perhaps fortuitously, that was exactly half a lifetime ago, as I will turn 66 this year.
I have long been focused on service to my community –since becoming an Eagle Scout in my teens if not well before. Some volunteer opportunities are open to anyone, some require specific qualifications, but to be ELECTED to serve is different- it is a tremendous privilege and honor.
In 1991, I was a passionate optimist, a bachelor with plenty of dark hair. I now have two amazingly brave women as my daughters and am now Papa John or Papa Daddy to three cute little munchkins.
As a Forestry major at Oregon State and with a degree from the UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources and a major in Conservation of Natural Resources, I skipped “dipping my toes in the water” and “dove right in”– a good water analogy– focusing my efforts on supply, recycling, storage, water rights, legislation, and increased collaboration among water providers in this great state. The Natural Resources arena has been my niche since before starting college.
I am proud to have represented EBMUD and the state water and wastewater communities as President of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), and president of California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA). I was instrumental in establishing three Joint Power Authorities (JPAs); FRWA, DERWA, and UMRWA. I have served on each Board since its inception, with 77 collective years of service on these Boards.
A personal highlight for me was collaborating closely with the late Senator Dianne Feinstein to form FERWA. This landmark agreement ensures increased water supply to the rate payers of EBMUD- and potentially other agencies- in drought years.
Change is sometimes planned but can also be by chance. I have been offered, unexpectedly, a career opportunity that I must pursue as my next chapter. I am resigning from this Board and from my position as CEO of the Bay Planning Commission (BPC). I have accepted a position as Manager of Natural Resources with our strong and valued partner agency, the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD). I will be relocating from Lafayette to our mountain home in Arnold.
I have lived within the EBMUD service area for all but two years of my life, when I was studying at Oregon State. I have lived in Ward 2 all but two more years when I was finishing my degree at UC Berkeley. So, this is a BIG change on many levels. It will also be the first time since college that I have only had ONE job—I am excited to focus exclusively on my work at CCWD.
I expect my resignations to be effective in late February, but I am coordinating that date precisely with present employers and CCWD. While this statement is focused on EBMUD, those of you that follow BPC will see more posted. Both organizations have made a huge impact on my life.
Indeed, this is a bittersweet moment. I have a strong sense of pride from what I was able to accomplish jointly with amazing team members from many agencies, but it is time for someone else to take on this charge and give it the best they possibly can, hopefully with a great deal of transparency, integrity and vision for an ever-improving District.
I am grateful for a tenure longer, richer, and more satisfying than I ever imagined 33 years ago. Many thanks to all who have supported me in this role. I am truly honored and appreciative of the opportunity to have served, but look forward to the changes ahead.
Ward two covers Alamo, Lafayette and Walnut Creek, Town of Danville, communities of Blackhawk and Diablo, and portions of Pleasant Hill and San Ramon.
He was elected to the Board of Directors of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in 1990, re-elected six times, and appointed in 2018 to represent Ward 2, For his full bio, click here. For more on EBMUD, click here
Coleman became the CEO of the Bay Planning Coalition in January 2011. a non-profit, public benefit, membership corporation, to advocate for the balanced regulation and use of Bay-Delta resources to ensure that commerce, recreation and the environment thrive in the region.
The Coalition’s 175 members represent a broad spectrum of public and private Bay-Delta entities, including ports, maritime and shoreline industry, labor unions, local government, residential and commercial builders, recreational users and engineering, planning, environmental science, construction and legal professionals. The Coalition is governed by a 40-member Board of Directors.
During his time with Bay Planning Coalition, Mr. Coleman has worked with the Bay Conservation and Development Commission on the Bay Plan Amendment and on their Strategic Plan update, and has greatly expanded the Coalition’s educational and advocacy presence locally and nationally, including introducing an annual Workshop Series, and continuing to build support in Sacramento and Washington, DC for the interests of the membership.
