Sacramento, California – The Association of California Water Agencies is looking for a new Executive Director again, and this time it’s a nationwide search. The goal is to find someone who can lead the organization for a long time. This week, the process has officially started. It is focused on finding someone to run the association’s day-to-day operations and set its strategic direction.
In late 2025, the ACWA Board of Directors chose Bob Murray & Associates, an executive recruitment company, to run the search. The group has since put out a formal job posting, and applications are due by March 8. The board wants to find excellent executive leadership, thus the position is open to candidates from across the country.
Marwan Khalifa will stay on as Interim Executive Director till the hiring process is over. He took on this job in early 2025. Khalifa has a lot of experience in the field because he was the Chief Financial Officer and District Treasurer for Mesa Water District before this. He has worked with ACWA before, serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and as Chair of ACWA’s Finance Committee.
Khalifa’s temporary appointment has helped the organization stay on track during a time of change. His experience with the finances and governance of water districts makes him a good choice to handle day-to-day tasks while the board looks for long-term leadership.
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This latest endeavor to hire people comes after a nationwide search that took place last year. The board looked over a group of candidates and did a lot of evaluation at that time. After a lot of consideration, the board members decided that extending the deadline would better help the association reach its future goals and make sure that the right person is chosen for the job.
ACWA is the voice of public water agencies in California. It is a vital player in policy advocacy, education, and working together in the state’s water sector. As agencies deal with complicated issues including water supply, infrastructure investment, regulatory obligations, and long-term planning, they see stable leadership as very important.
The board showed that they were serious about a careful and planned hiring process by renewing the search. Officials said that taking longer time lets them look at more applicants and helps make sure that the pick of leaders fits with the organization’s changing goals.
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After the March deadline, the board will look over the applications and continue the selection process over the next few months. Khalifa will stay in the interim post until a permanent Executive Director is found. This will ensure that operations run smoothly during the transition period.