Courtesy photo.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has appointed Joe Pope as the new Director of Water and Sanitation. Pope replaces Michaela Brown, who served as the previous VCPWA Director of Water and Sanitation before retiring earlier this year.
Pope will oversee the Water and Sanitation department’s, Utility Services Division (USD) and Integrated Waste Management Division (IWMD). The divisions work to provide uninterruptible high-quality water, a reduction of waste, prevent pollution and promote sustainable management of materials within the unincorporated communities.
“Joe’s unique combination of leadership and management skills in the public works sector as well as his educational focus in water resources will work to the benefit of the residents of Ventura County in these challenging times,” said Jeff Pratt, Director of VCPWA.
Prior to his employment at VCPWA, Pope served in the U.S. Navy for the past 22 years, the latest, as the Public Works Director for the Naval Base of Ventura County (NBVC) where he was responsible for a full-service department and contracting services at Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island Naval Bases. The NBVC Public Works provides water and wastewater utilities services, electrical distribution, construction, engineering design, facilities maintenance, environmental compliance, as well as transportation.
“I’m very grateful to be joining the Ventura County Family! As I transition from 22 years of active duty service as a Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officer, I look forward to settling down in Ventura County,” said Pope. “I am especially excited at the opportunity to use my experiences in service to our local community as the next VCPWA Water and Sanitation Director.”
Pope is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Humboldt State University in Environmental Resources Engineering as well as a Master’s of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCLA. During his undergraduate and graduate studies, he specialized in Water Resources with an emphasis in Groundwater Management.