New director representing the City of Santa Ana joins Metropolitan Board

Santa Ana Deputy Public Works Director Cesar E. Barrera was seated Tuesday as the City of Santa Ana's new representative on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Barrera, who is also Santa Ana's acting city engineer, has served the city for nearly 30 years and brings extensive experience in water resources, operations and maintenance, and infrastructure management. He succeeds Thai Viet Phan, who served on Metropolitan's 38-member board since 2021.

"Director Barrera is already a familiar face at Metropolitan because of his work in Santa Ana's Water Resources Division. He's been a valued partner and provided important perspective during the development of the Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water as part of the Member Agency Managers Task Force," board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. said. "I look forward to working closely with him for the benefit of the region's nearly 19 million residents."

Barrera holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from California State University, Fullerton, and a master's degree in civil engineering from Loyola Marymount University. He is a licensed professional civil engineer in California and holds advanced certifications in water treatment, distribution and wastewater operations.

Barrera is a lifelong Southern California resident. He and his wife Lupe have one daughter.