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December 16, 2011

KRCD PRESIDENT BRENT GRAHAM RETIRES FROM BOARD

Fresno, CA - A long career of service to Kings County and Kings River water users came to a conclusion Tuesday,December 13, as Kings River Conservation District President Brent Graham announced he is resigning and retiring from the District's Board of Directors. Graham, who is moving out of the District to retire in Southern California, said during the Board's regular monthly meeting in Fresno that his resignation would take effect December 31.

Graham has represented KRCD's Division 5 (which includes much of northern Kings County) for the past five and a half years and managed the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District nearly four decades. He was honored by fellow directors with an engraved Kings River memento as well as many thanks and good wishes.

"It's been a treat being on the board and being Chairman," Graham said in brief farewell remarks. "This district has a lot going on. Best of luck to you and thank you very much."

Graham became a KRCD Director in May 2006 and was named Board President in 2010. He has served on KRCD's Public Power, Budget and Audit, and Flood Maintenance committees.

Graham began his career with the Kings River Water Association as a hydrographer and managed the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District from 1969 until his retirement in 2008. For most of his career, Graham chaired the Lower (Kings) River Board of Directors and was active in many Kings River Water Association activities and issues, including work on the Kings River Legislative Committee.

He was a long-time member and Chairman of the Kings County Water Commission, and Secretary of the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Water Committee. Graham has also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the newly formed Valley Ag Water Coalition as well as Vice Chair of both the California Farm Water Coalition and the State Project Water Contractors Authority. He has also headed the Tule River Improvement Joint Powers Authority.

Graham farmed walnuts in Kings County near Hanford where he was active civically. Graham was a member of the Hanford Sister City Committee. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Fresno State College.

Director Mark McKean of Riverdale was elected to take over as board President on January 1, 2012. Board members also established a procedure for appointing a successor after Graham's resignation takes effect.

A public agency formed in 1951, KRCD serves the agricultural, business and community residents within 1.2 million acres in portions of Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties. KRCD is a leading resource management agency for water, power, and the environment in the Kings River service area.

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