Westlands boss Thomas Birmingham retiring after ‘change coalition’ elected to board

Thomas Birmingham, general manager of the massive Westlands Water District since 2000, Wednesday announced plans to step down at the end of 2022.

His announcement follows the election of four new members to the Westlands Board of Directors on Nov. 8 who would give a so-called “change coalition” a solid majority of six seats on the nine-member board. The top priority for the coalition is “a change in leadership,” according to Sarah Woolf, who along with Jon Reiter helped coordinate a group of increasingly frustrated Westlands farmers to run the slate of change candidates, SJV Water reported.

In a news release issued by the district, Birmingham, who served as outside counsel for the district from 1986 to 2000, was credited as a recognized expert on water issues and environmental law who “guided the district through complex water policy changes and some of the driest hydrology on record.”

In a statement, Birmingham called it “a great honor” to lead a “team of dedicated district employees.

“I am retiring with extreme pride in the things Westlands has accomplished over the last two decades.”

Birmingham pointed to settlement of drainage litigation, settlement of litigation concerning water allocation, implementation of water conservation programs, and development of an energy renewal project on district lands as issues he was especially happy the district had achieved.

He also praised Westlands’ farmers, who he said “produce food that feeds the state, the nation, and the world.

“They are innovative, generous, and philanthropic, I cannot imagine a finer group of people.”

Daniel Errotabere, who served as Westlands president from 2002 to 2005 and again in 2020 to 2021, praised Birmingham’s “intelligence, work ethic and loyalty to the district.”

He added:

“I think Sen. Dianne Feinstein summed it up best when she said, ‘Tom Birmingham certainly knows a lot about California water policy.’ ... Tom and I don’t always see eye to eye, but I’ve known him for 15 years, and I do appreciate the experience and concern he brings to the table.”

It is anticipated that the district directors will consider appointing an interim general manager in December after Birmingham’s retirement, and also discuss the process of finding a replacement.