General Counsel Tom Cumpston to Act as Interim General Manager Placerville, CA… El Dorado Irrigation District (District) board president George Wheeldon announced today that Tom Gallier is resigning his position as general manager, effective May 15. Tom Cumpston, the District’s general counsel, will be the interim general manager while the board searches for Gallier’s replacement. Cumpston said he will not be a candidate for the job.
“Tom Gallier proved to be the right leader at the District over the past year,” Wheeldon said. “He accomplished a lot in a short amount of time, and we were impressed with his ability to make critical decisions and carry them out. He enacted key recommendations listed in the management assessment report that the board commissioned in early 2008. He oversaw a major reorganization of the management structure, saving upward of $1 million, and he spearheaded the development of a District-wide, five-year strategic plan. He also delivered a balanced budget in extremely difficult financial circumstances and led staff in making the Caples Lake outlet works emergency project a success.
“Although we can understand Tom’s decision to return to retirement status, we are disappointed to see him go.”
Gallier joined the District on May 1, 2008, after retiring two years earlier from his position as utilities director with the city of Tempe, Arizona. During his decade-long tenure at Tempe, Gallier led the utilities department through a major reorganization that resulted in substantial productivity improvements. He was also the driving force in creating a master plan that served as a blueprint for the utilities capital improvement program.
Wheeldon said the board members are very pleased that Tom Cumpston, who is a contract employee with the board, agreed to act as interim general manager. “He’s one of the best legal minds I’ve ever met,” Wheeldon said, “and also one of the best communicators. He knows the District and our business well, and we have every confidence he’ll do a great job while we look for a new general manager.”
Cumpston started work with the District in October 2002. Just before joining EID, he was principal assistant county counsel for El Dorado County.
