SDCWA’s Marty Miller Elected Chair of Metropolitan Water District

SDCWA's Marty Miller Elected Chair of Metropolitan Water District

October 13, 2026

Vista Resident Will Be the First San Diegan to Lead MWD

San Diego County Water Authority representative Marty Miller was unanimously selected today as the 21st chair of the Metropolitan Water District's Board of Directors, becoming the first board chair from San Diego County in Metropolitan's nearly 100-year history. His election marks a new era of collaboration as agencies across Southern California seek to address the impacts of a changing climate, cost pressures and aging infrastructure.

"I am humbled to have the unanimous support of my colleagues on the Metropolitan board to lead this agency for the next two years," said Chair-Elect Miller, who represents the Vista Irrigation District (VID) on the Water Authority Board. "I believe that by working together, building on our successes, and staying focused on what matters most, we can continue to secure a reliable water future for the millions of Southern Californians who depend on us."

Metropolitan, the nation's largest water agency, was established in 1928 by the State of California and now provides water for 19 million people in six counties, including San Diego. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members enhance conservation, recycling, storage and other water-management programs.

The San Diego County Water Authority is one of Metropolitan's 26 member agencies and holds four of the 38 seats on its board. The two agencies settled long-running lawsuits in 2025 as they agreed to focus on the numerous challenges facing water managers in an increasingly arid West.

As chair, Miller will preside over monthly Board meetings, assign delegates to Board committees, lead the agency through rate- and budget-setting, and work closely with Metropolitan's general manager, general counsel, general auditor, and ethics officer on a variety of critical issues.

At Metropolitan, Miller currently serves as the chair of the Finance, Affordability, Asset Management and Efficiency Committee. Last year, he helped lead the process that ended with unanimous approval of the agency's budget. He also serves as the vice chair for the Ad Hoc Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations. He joined the Metropolitan Board in 2021.

"Chair-Elect Miller is going to be a fantastic leader for Metropolitan and for every resident of Southern California," said Water Authority General Manager and Metropolitan delegate Dan Denham. "I know from working with him closely that Miller has the drive, humility and no-nonsense approach that will keep ratepayers at the heart of every decision he makes."

Miller started his water career on the Vista Irrigation District board in 2008. Three years later, he was appointed by VID to the Water Authority's Board, where he has served since. He is currently the chair of the Water Authority's Water Planning and Environmental Committee. He also sits on the Water Authority's Imported Water Committee and Resource Strategy Work Group.

"It may have taken almost a century for someone representing San Diego to become Metropolitan Board Chair, but I believe Director Miller is worth the wait," said San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Frank Hilliker. "He has the experience, temperament, and commitment to help lead this Board forward."

Miller has owned a commercial construction company for more than 45 years. He is a member and former president of the Vista Optimist Club and of the Rancho Buena Vista Little League Board. He also served as a coach, taking the RBV team to a third-place finish in the 2005 Little League World Series.

"For decades, as a business leader, coach, and board member, I've seen that when people set old differences aside and work together, they can build a better future," said Miller. "That's the kind of leadership I believe Metropolitan needs, and it's the kind of leadership I intend to bring to this position."

Miller's two-year term will begin following his inauguration in January 2027.