For Immediate Release: September 3, 2015
Contact: Jerry Brown, General Manager 925-688-8034
Management Changes Announced at Contra Costa Water District
CONCORD – A change in management at the Contra Costa Water District (District) will take effect at the end of the year. Assistant General Manager Brice Bledsoe has announced his retirement and Ron Jacobsma, former General Manager of Friant Water Authority, will come on board as the new Assistant General Manager overseeing Administration.
Bledsoe is retiring after 16 years with the District where he advanced from Accounting Manager to Director of Finance, and finally as the Assistant General Manager of Administration for the past 3 1/2 years. Under his leadership, the District has maintained a balanced financial standing and benefitted from his wealth of knowledge, setting the course for a stable financial future.
Over the years, he has assembled a strong team that is well suited to continue that stable financial path and which will now be led by Ron Jacobsma, a fortunate addition to the District with the experience, skills, and knowledge he brings.
“Brice has been a valued leader for the District and we thank him for all that he has done to grow the District as a financially responsible water agency,” said General Manager Jerry Brown. “Ron’s background in finance and vast knowledge and experience in California water issues will be true assets to the District.”
Jacobsma has been an active leader in California water for 26 years. Jacobsma, a former Certified Public Accountant, worked for an international accounting firm and a mortgage banking entity before coming to California where he started as Controller for Friant, moved to Assistant General Manager, and became General Manager in 2003. Jacobsma has Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Business Administration-Finance, and an Economics minor from Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Jacobsma commented, “I look forward to joining the CCWD team, several of whom I have worked with extensively in the past and representing the Districts' interests. I have always been impressed by the professionalism exhibited by CCWD representatives.”
Brown added, “Ron comes to the District with a solid background in financial planning and has the added experience in navigating challenging California water issues that are important to the District. He will hit the ground running.”