LOS ANGELES (August 2, 2023)— The LADWP Board of Water and Power Commissioners has unanimously re-elected attorney and public policy strategist Cynthia McClain-Hill as President, and elected business leader Nicole Neeman Brady as Vice President. The annual election of officers was conducted during the Board’s meeting on July 11th.
Cynthia McClain-Hill was first elected President of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners on July 28, 2020, after serving as Board Vice President since September 5, 2018. She was appointed to a four-year term on the Board of Water and Power Commissioners in August 2018, and reconfirmed by the Los Angeles City Council on June 28, 2022.
“I am very honored to continue leading the nation’s largest municipal utility as we work to build a stronger Los Angeles. As Board President, I am committed to continuing the work we have begun to strengthen accountability and provide strong oversight as LADWP works to achieve the City’s clean energy goals equitably and expands local water supplies for the more than four million residents and businesses we serve.” McClain-Hill said.
Under McClain-Hill’s leadership, the Board has strengthened its oversight role and has led a transformative policy agenda. These efforts include:
- Assisting and protecting LA’s most vulnerable residents during and following the COVID-19 pandemic by overseeing more than $300 million in payment assistance programs and enacting a permanent moratorium on utility shut off for low-income customers.
- Serving as the driving force behind development of the most comprehensive Strategic Plan undertaken by the Department.
- Initiating and instituting key reforms to guard against fraud and ensure Board oversight of major contracts, including legal services, in response to the customer billing class-action litigation settlement debacle.
- Spearheading Cool-LA, a program to help Angelenos stay cool and keep utility bills affordable through air conditioner rebates and a new Level Pay billing assistance program.
- Launching Project PowerHouse to accelerate review and approval of 100% affordable housing development and reducing development costs, to support Mayor Karen Bass’ efforts to house every Angeleno.
- Overseeing the Department’s response to lapses in power pole inspections and regulatory compliance uncovered and addressed in Spring 2023.
- Creating partnerships between LADWP, non-profit organizations, businesses, the scientific community and the academia to bring real world solutions especially for the disadvantaged, including bill affordability, affordable housing, and workforce development.
- Prioritizing equity, as LADWP continues its clean energy transformation to ensure that every Angeleno benefits from a carbon-free future.
As a Board member since 2019, Neeman Brady has brought significant expertise on energy and water supply matters as well as risk management and strategic planning in shaping LADWP’s programs and policies.
“I look forward to serving the City of Los Angeles as Vice President of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners and to offering my expertise to finding solutions to the tough problems within the energy and water spaces,” Neeman Brady said. “It is humbling and a great pleasure to serve with President McClain-Hill and the dedicated and distinguished members of the Board.”
In nominating Neeman Brady to serve as Vice President, President Cynthia McClain-Hill said, “Nicole has offered extremely distinguished service since her appointment to this Board, bringing a wealth of expertise. We are grateful and lucky to have her, and I am honored to serve with her.”
With extensive business and policy expertise in agriculture, land, water, and renewable energy assets and investments in the US and internationally, Neeman Brady has served as Chair of the Audit Committee as well as a key member of the Inyo/LA Standing Committee. In addition, she has provided valuable oversight and guidance on financial, operational and complex utility business matters.
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Board of Water and Power Commissioners
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