Board of Directors

Directors' Bios

Division I	Edward C. Vasquez [Send me an E-mail] Edward C. Vasquez was elected to the Central Basin Board of Directors in November 2004 to represent the cities of Bell Gardens, Downey, Montebello, Norwalk and Vernon. A 30-year resident of Montebello, Vasquez is a former council member for the City of Montebello, during which he served as Mayor from 2001-2002. An active community leader, he has been involved with the City of Montebello since 1979, working on the Civil Service and Planning Commission. Professionally, Vasquez has dedicated most of his career to education and currently works as the Program Director/Clinical Coordinator of the Department of Radiologic Technology at Los Angeles City College, a position he has held since 1977.

Division II	Robert Apodaca [Send me an E-mail] The current Board President, Robert Apodaca was elected to the Central Basin Board in 1998 to represent the cities of La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs and Whittier. A respected leader, he is a member of the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors, where he serves on its joint administration and joint communications committees. In addition, he is a member of the Association of California Water Agencies, the San Gabriel Watermaster, the San Gabriel Valley Protective Association and the Central Basin Association. Professionally, he has worked in the private and public service sector as a business owner and executive. Committed to public service, he has held numerous positions that have impacted residents across California.

Division III	Arturo Chacon [Send me an E-mail] Elected to the Central Basin Board of Directors in 2006, Arturo Chacon represents the cities of Bell, Commerce, Huntington Park, Maywood and Walnut Park, portions of Cudahy and Monterey Park, and unincorporated East Los Angeles. An advocate for innovative water resource management, Chacon is the Founder and President of Chacon Water Advisory, a company dedicated to educating Southern California on the use of xeriscape or water-efficient, landscaping. Chacon is also a member of the Water Conservation Garden and Friends of Clean Water, two non-profit organizations focused on promoting water-awareness and conservation. Additionally, Chacon has extensive experience in city government, having served as a commissioner of parks and recreation and city planning.

Division IV	Rudy C. Montalvo [Send me an E-mail] Rudy C. Montalvo was unanimously appointed to the Central Basin Board of Directors in January 2007 to represent the cities of Lynwood, South Gate, Florence-Graham, Willowbrook and portions of Cudahy, Compton and Carson. A longtime civic leader and former labor representative, his vast career was shaped by his early involvement in voter rights issues, public education and social services. As a resident of the City of South Gate, Director Montalvo sits on the Planning Commission, where he has played a significant role in restoring the city governance. Additionally, Director Montalvo serves as the President of the Democratic Club of South Gate and is one of the co-founders of the Southeast Cities Democratic Club.

Division V	Phillip D. Hawkins [Send me an E-mail] Director Hawkins was elected to the Board of Directors of the Central Basin Municipal Water District in November 2000 to represent the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Paramount and Signal Hill and currently serves as Board's Vice President. He was re-elected in 2004. He served as a member of the California State Assembly from 1994 to 1996. A leader in the business community, he was appointed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe to the Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board. Professionally, he is a real estate broker and has owned several businesses of his own.