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IRWD General Manager

Paul Cook was appointed IRWD General Manager on October 24, 2011 after serving as Interim General Manager. Prior to this appointment, Cook held the Assistant General Manager position of IRWD since 2004, where he was responsible for district operations, engineering and construction, water quality and administration.  

Cook is a registered civil engineer with over 21 years of experience in water and wastewater system projects in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining IRWD, Cook served as the Manager of Engineering for Central and West Basin Municipal Water Districts in Carson, California. There he was responsible for a $350 million, five-year capital improvements program that included one of the largest water recycling projects in the nation. Cook also served as the District Engineer for Los Alisos Water District in Lake Forest where he developed and implemented projects to improve the operating efficiency of the agency.

In the private sector, Cook held engineering and project management positions with BFI Constructors and Turner Construction Company. He was responsible for many projects ranging from high-rise office construction to various water treatment, storage, and conveyance projects. In 2000 he received the Young Engineer of the Year award from the Orange County Engineering Council.

In 2002, Cook was elected to the Orange County Water District, representing portions of Irvine, Tustin and Newport Beach. As a member of the Board of Directors, Cook was responsible for policies and decision making for the Orange County groundwater basin that supplies water to more than 2.3 million Orange County residents. He served on the OCWD Board through 2005, including a term as Vice President.

Cook received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from University of Pacific in Stockton, CA. He went on to earn a Master of Science degree in civil engineering from California State University Long Beach and an MBA degree from UC Irvine.

Cook resides in Irvine with his wife and two sons. He is active in the Boy Scouts of America and coaches youth lacrosse.