New director representing Eastern Municipal Water District joins Metropolitan board

Longtime Eastern Municipal Water District Director Philip E. Paule was seated Tuesday as the agency's newest representative on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Paule is currently chief of staff for a Riverside County supervisor and has worked at various levels of government, including leading the offices of both congressional and county representatives. He has represented Division I on EMWD's board since 2007, during which time he has served multiple terms as board president. He succeeds Jeff Armstrong, who served on Metropolitan's 38-member board since 2023.

"Director Paule's lengthy service with EMWD, as well as his experience working with local, state and federal legislators, make him a welcome addition to Metropolitan's board," said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. "I look forward to partnering with him as we strive to address long-term water reliability, affordability and resilience in Southern California."

Paule's service on the EMWD's board includes participating in ad hoc committees for Western Municipal Water District, Lake Hemet Municipal Water District, Nuevo Water Company, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Tribal Committee, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Tribal Committee, and the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project. He is EMWD's representative to the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and an alternate to the Western Riverside Council of Governments.

Paule resides in French Valley with his wife, Julie, and has two adult sons.