Juan Garza

Alternate Director, representing Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Juan Garza is Vice Chairman of the Board at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.  It is the largest supplier of treated water in the United States, serving the water needs of over 19 million residents in Southern California.  In that role, he represents the Central Basin Municipal Water District and its 2 million residents. He is also Division 4 Director on the Central Basin Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors, where he directly represents 8 cities and approximately half a million residents.

He previously served as Mayor of the City of Bellflower and as President of the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities, representing 86 of its member cities.  In these capacities, he has engaged in issues that include transportation, homelessness, air quality, fiscal education and housing solutions at the state, regional and local level.

Professionally, Juan is Principal at Six Heron in Southern California, a strategic communications & relations firm where he is engaged in and has advocated on behalf of a broad variety of industries including municipal governments, cardrooms, international trade, beverage, housing, land use, public transportation, telecommunications, horse racing, security and infrastructure at the local, regional, state and federal levels.  Additionally, he has successfully engaged in industry-leading environmental initiatives and capital improvement projects in areas that include water, waste, development, transportation, infrastructure, and technology.

As manager of operations in the private sector, he has been directly responsible for annual operating budgets up to $90 million, generated annual revenues up to $120 million, successfully lobbied and obtained over $350 million in public funding and managed headcounts up to 500 employees.

He is a proud husband, father, and veteran of the United States Army.  He holds a Master of Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and a Certificate in Urban Studies, all from California State University, Long Beach.  He and his wife Mayra, an elected School Board Member and Educator, have three young sons.