Board of Water and Power Commissioners Unanimously Confirms Marcie Edwards as LADWP General Manager

Edwards, who was nominated by Mayor Eric Garcetti last week to head the LADWP, ran Anaheim Public Utilities for 13 years prior to her appointment as City Manager, delivering water and power for California’s 10th largest city.

Edwards previously worked for 24 years at LADWP, starting as a Clerk Typist at the age of 19.  She then became a Steam Plant Assistant, a Plant Equipment Operator, a Steam Plant Operator, a Load Dispatcher and a Senior Load Dispatcher.

She steadily worked her way up the ladder to become LADWP Superintendent of Load Dispatching, Energy Control Center Manager, Manager of Bulk Power Operations/Maintenance, Bulk Power Business Unit Director, and finally Assistant General Manager for the marketing and the customer service business units.

“Marcie Edwards has the toughness and expertise necessary to take on the status quo at the DWP and deliver real, lasting change for DWP customers,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said when announcing her nomination.  “During the mayor’s race, LA voters gave me a mandate to reform the DWP, and with Marcie Edwards, we’re going to make sure the DWP is more efficient, tightly managed, reliable and that costs are cut.”

Board President Mel Levine said Edwards’ experience running a municipal water and power utility as well as her deep familiarity with LADWP will serve her well in her new capacity. “She has the proven leadership and experience to take on the issues at LADWP and lead the Department through many tough challenges that lie ahead,” Levine said.

“I am honored by the opportunity to join Mayor Garcetti’s administration and help drive the changes to this department that both he and the ratepayers are seeking,” said Marcie Edwards.  “In my discussions with Mayor Garcetti, he made the mission at hand abundantly clear – to run this Department like a business and leave politics at the door – and that is a mission I will gladly accept.”

Edwards’ appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council. If confirmed, she will become the first female General Manager in the history of the Department.

During its meeting today, the Board of Water and Power Commissioners also confirmed Jim McDaniel, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System, as the Interim General Manager until Edwards’ confirmation.  Marty Adams will serve as Interim Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System, replacing Jim McDaniel.

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