The CalDesal Executive Committee is excited to announce that Charles Wilson, Principal of PC Consulting Services, Inc., has been selected as the new Executive Director for CalDesal.
Mr. Wilson has been a leading public affairs professional in Southern California for more than 30 years and is a recognized leader in both the electric utility and water industries. Mr. Wilson currently serves as Principal Owner of PC Consulting Services, Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to providing strategic counsel, public affairs, government relations, and communications services to public agencies and private-sector clients. Through this firm, Mr. Wilson will provide Executive Director services to CalDesal.
In addition to his new role with CalDesal, Mr. Wilson serves as Executive Director and CEO of the Southern California Water Coalition (SCWC), one of California's leading water education and public outreach organizations. Mr. Wilson also served as an elected board member of the Santa Margarita Water District for 19 years, where he played an active leadership role in guiding one of Orange County's largest and fastest-growing retail water agencies. Prior to his tenure in the utility industry, Mr. Wilson served as Director of Community and Media Affairs for State and U.S. Senator John Seymour.
A graduate of UCLA, Mr. Wilson earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations and Public Administration. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University.
As CalDesal celebrates its 15th anniversary, the Executive Committee believes the organization is well-positioned to build upon its accomplishments and help shape California's water future. The selection of Charles Wilson reflects the Committee's commitment to developing a strategic vision for CalDesal's next 15 years and beyond, at a time when California's water policies continue to evolve in response to climate change, population growth, regulatory requirements, environmental stewardship, and increasing demands for water supply reliability.
Working closely with CalDesal's Board of Directors, members, and stakeholders, Mr. Wilson will lead an assessment of member priorities and organizational objectives to develop a strategic roadmap that strengthens CalDesal's role as a trusted resource and advocate for seawater desalination, brackish water desalination, potable reuse, and integrated water management solutions. He will also continue CalDesal's active engagement with California's regulatory agencies, Legislature, Administration officials, and key policy influencers.
As state leaders evaluate long-term strategies to improve water resiliency and supply reliability, desalination is expected to remain an important component of California's diversified water portfolio. Under Mr. Wilson's leadership, CalDesal will continue to advance informed policy discussions regarding the opportunities, challenges, and innovations associated with desalination technologies and their role in helping California meet future water supply demands while balancing environmental, economic, and community considerations.
As CalDesal transitions to its next phase of organizational leadership, the Executive Committee would like to express its tremendous gratitude and appreciation for the service of Glenn Farrel as the organization's Executive Director over the past five years. Mr. Farrel's leadership was instrumental in building upon a solid CalDesal foundation and strengthening the engagement and interaction of CalDesal members with policy and water leaders throughout California. Mr. Farrel helped place our organization in a great position to advance desalination policy objectives and projects as CalDesal moves into the next 15 years, and beyond.