SAN JOSE – On Jan. 9, 2024, the Valley Water Board of Directors elected Nai Hsueh, District 5 representative, as board chair in 2024. Richard Santos, representing District 3, was elected vice chair.
The board vote launches Director Hsueh’s third tenure as chair. Director Hsueh served as board chair in 2013 and 2020.
Chair Hsueh, a registered civil engineer in California, worked at Valley Water for three decades. Chair Hsueh takes the leadership role as Valley Water faces challenges such as climate change, inflation and aging infrastructure.
“We are here to do good things for the community,” Chair Hsueh said. “I see the role of the chair not as a person with more authority than other board members, but as the coordinator and doer for the board, working with everybody to make sure things happen. With a functional board, we will continue to be a high-performing organization, which will benefit the community.”
Chair Hsueh was first elected to the Valley Water Board of Directors in November 2012 to represent District 5, which includes the cities of Cupertino, Saratoga, areas of Sunnyvale and southwest San Jose. Chair Hsueh was re-elected in 2016 and 2020.
Vice Chair Santos is embarking on his fourth tenure as Vice Chair, previously serving in 2004, 2009 and 2017. Vice Chair Santos, a retired firefighter and native of Alviso, represents District 3, which includes Alviso, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Milpitas and Berryessa/Alum Rock.
Immediately following the handing over of the gavel, board members praised outgoing chairperson John L. Varela for his leadership as Chair Pro Tem in 2022 and Chair in 2023. Director Varela’s service was highlighted with a video featuring some of the agency’s key achievements during his tenure as board chair.
Visit the Valley Water website for more information on the Board of Directors.