California American Water Ventura County Operations Manager Named President of the Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County

The Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County, at its annual installation program, named California American Water‘s Ventura County operations manager Al Yañez III as its 2011 President. Brian Miller, Chief of Staff for Congressman Elton Gallegly, served as the installing officer. With more than 40 years experience in the water industry, Yañez takes the helm of the Association in its 35th year, bringing Ventura County together to collaborate on vital water issues.

Yañez, a native of Oxnard, Calif., began his career in the water industry in 1970 where he worked for the City of Oxnard water division for 10 years, and then took a position with the City of Thousand Oaks from 1980-1989. He transitioned into the private sector as a Technical Services Representative with Neptune Meter where his duties as project manager included providing analysis of meter application versus revenue loss to water agencies throughout the nation. Yañez later joined Golden State Water in 1993 and California American Water in 2004, both investor-owned water companies.

“I look forward to continue working with my colleagues at AWA to help ensure our members continue to promote and encourage cooperation among local water purveyors for development, protection, conservation and improvement of the total water resources for Ventura County,” Yañez said. “I am confident that AWA’s water professionals we count as our members can sustainably address Ventura County’s water needs now and into the future.”

Yañez was elected to the Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County Board of Directors in 2007, representing the category of ‘Investor-Owned Water Companies’. His expertise and leadership led to his appointment as an AWA Officer in 2008, where he has continued to serve in various positions leading to the appointment of AWA President 2011.

Yañez and his wife Connie reside in Ventura County, also home to their son Joey and wife Pamela; daughter Shannon and husband Shawn and their first grandchild, Max. His past affiliations include the City of Gardena Rotary Club and advisor to EXPERT Inc., a community based organization providing utility training to inner city youth. Yañez studied water distribution and management at California State Sacramento and University California Santa Barbara.

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 600,000 people. California American Water’s Ventura County service district includes approximately 20,000 households and businesses and serves a population of approximately 60,000 in the cities of Camarillo, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks as well as unincorporated portions of Ventura County.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a yearlong campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.