Valley Water CEO Rick L. Callender Announces Retirement After More Than 30 Years of Service

February 20, 2026

Valley Water CEO Rick Callender has announced his resignation as CEO after more than three decades of dedicated public service to the residents of Santa Clara County. Callender joined Valley Water in 1995 as a consultant and, in 1996, Callender was hired to establish and build the agency’s Local and Regional Government Relations Program. On May 26, 2020, he became Valley Water’s first African American CEO, and the only African American CEO of a major water and flood protection agency in the nation, following his appointment by the Board of Directors.

“As CEO, Rick Callender led Valley Water through extraordinary operational and fiscal pressures—including the COVID-19 pandemic, inflationary constraints, and complex regulatory demands—while continuing to deliver measurable results for the community,” said Board Chair Tony Estremera. “His tenure is defined by integrity, transparency, and mission-driven leadership focused on safe, reliable water and responsible stewardship of our resources. At no time was Mr. Callender disciplined or forced to resign or retire due to any reported investigations.”

“When I was appointed CEO, I understood the responsibility that came with that trust,” said Callender. “I worked every day to lead with integrity, equity, transparency, and a relentless focus on outcomes for the community. I’m proud of the foundation we’ve strengthened, and I leave knowing Valley Water is positioned to keep delivering for the people we serve. I am very proud of the things that the staff and I accomplished over the past 30 years. I couldn't have been successful without them! I grew up in this community, and I'm honored to be able to serve my community.”

Under Callender’s leadership, Valley Water advanced major infrastructure and community-protection priorities, including significant progress on the Anderson Dam rebuild, completion of Phase 1 of the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project, and securing $80 million in federal funding for the final phase of the Upper Llagas Flood Protection Project in Morgan Hill. Valley Water also strengthened its fiscal and operational independence, including a major rebranding of the Santa Clara Valley Water District as Valley Water and separating budgetary oversight from the County of Santa Clara, rendering Valley Water an independent Special District. It's also due to Callender’s leadership that Valley Water recognizes both Juneteenth and the Lunar New Year, as well as numerous initiatives that recognize racial equity, diversity and inclusion which have often been ignored in the water and environmental industry.

Callender’s career has been marked by proven success in identifying, securing, and deploying critical resources for the region. Over the course of his career, he helped obtain more than $1.5 billion in state and federal funding—supporting flood protection, resilience initiatives, conservation, reliability programs, and capital improvements. His leadership also helped deliver key voter-approved investments, including the successful passage of three ballot measures, most notably 2020 Measure S, which reinforced long-term fiscal sustainability for residents and ratepayers.

Callender’s resignation as CEO will be effective March 1, 2026. Following his resignation as CEO, the Board of Directors has voted to retain his services for 12 months as a Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors to support strategic priorities and help ensure Valley Water remains competitive locally, statewide, and nationally.

Letter to the Board of Directors from Rick Callender

Date: February 14, 2026

To: Valley Water Board of Directors

From: Rick L. Callender, CEO

Re: Retirement of Rick L. Callender

Dear Members of the Board and Colleagues,

With deep gratitude and respect, as Black History Month draws to a close, I write to formally announce my retirement from Valley Water, effective March 1, 2026. It has been the honor of my professional life to serve this organization and our community alongside such dedicated public servants, innovative professionals, and committed partners.

When I first joined Valley Water, I was drawn to its mission of providing safe, reliable water, flood protection, and environmental stewardship for the residents of Santa Clara County. Over the course of my tenure, I have been privileged to contribute to that mission and to witness the tireless effort and resilience that define this organization. I am profoundly grateful for the trust placed in me, the mentorship and collaboration of colleagues at every level, and the opportunity to help steward initiatives that will benefit our community for years to come.

Together, we have advanced critical priorities that I am proud to highlight:

Strengthening Reliability and Resilience: We delivered complex capital projects, enhanced drought preparedness, and advanced sustainable supply strategies to meet evolving community needs. We sharpened emergency response capabilities and invested in infrastructure that positions Valley Water to navigate future climatic and seismic challenges with greater confidence.

Advancing Equity and Community Engagement: We deepened outreach to underserved communities, elevated multilingual and culturally responsive engagement, and fostered inclusive partnerships with stakeholders, municipalities, and regional agencies. These efforts broadened access, transparency, and trust in our work.

Environmental Stewardship and Innovation: We championed habitat restoration, watershed protection, and responsible groundwater management, while encouraging innovation in conservation, reuse, and data-driven operations.

These initiatives reflect Valley Water’s enduring commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement.

Organizational Excellence: We invested in our people, strengthened governance and compliance practices, and prioritized ethics, safety, and professional development. I remain especially proud of the talent across the agency—individuals whose expertise, integrity, and public service ethos set the standard for our industry.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the leadership of the Board, the partnership of our labor organizations, the dedication of staff, and the support of our community. I am grateful to each of you for your counsel, candor, and collaboration, and for the many lessons I will carry forward.

As I step into the next chapter, I do so with confidence in Valley Water’s future. The organization’s strategic vision, fiscal discipline, and culture of service provide a strong foundation for continued success. I offer my best wishes to the Board, executive leadership, and every member of the Valley Water team as you continue to protect public health, promote environmental stewardship, and deliver exceptional service.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I will remain a steadfast supporter of Valley Water and its mission, and I stand ready to assist during a thoughtful transition process as needed.

With appreciation and respect,

Rick L. Callender

Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 285 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 333 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.