The Bureau of Reclamation, the agency that manages federal water such as the Central Valley Project, has a new regional director for the California-Great Basin Region.
Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton announced Thursday that Karl Stock is taking over as the new regional director.
The big picture: Stock enters into the role after 22 years with the Bureau of Reclamation, where he was most recently the manager of the Reclamation Law Administration.
- He has worked on developing proactive strategies for investing funding from the 2021 infrastructure law to address various challenges facing the western states.
- Stock has a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Brigham Young University and a Master of Science in public administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.
- He takes over for Ernest Conant, who is becoming a senior advisor to the deputy commissioner for operations.
What they’re saying: Touton said Stock’s extensive experience across Reclamation’s many programs and offices will serve the agency’s partners well.
- Stock expressed gratitude for his selection.
- “I am honored to take on this responsibility and look forward to advancing Reclamation’s mission in the California-Great Basin Region by working collaboratively with all of our partners as we seek to improve water and power reliability for the millions that depend on Reclamation’s projects in the Region through sustainable operational strategies and smart investments,” Stock said.
- Friant Water Authority CEO Jason Phillips said the organization is excited to hear of Stock’s promotion.
- “”Karl has many dedicated years of service with the Bureau and has extensive knowledge of the many water challenges we are facing in the West,” Phillips said. “His long history of finding solutions to the complex issues facing water, resource, tribal, and wildlife issues will undoubtedly serve the Bureau and its stakeholders well.”
- Phillips also thanked Conant for leading the Central Valley Project through challenging times and for his leadership to repair the Middle Reach of the Friant-Kern Canal.
