SPEAKERS

Phil Rosentrater serves as Deputy Director for the Economic Development Agency of Riverside County.

Chief among his responsibilities is building consensus among
diverse stakeholders to secure resources needed to revitalize
the economy and environment of the Salton Sea. Emerging
opportunities in renewable energy and water resource development
provide a promising future for a stable sea that will sustain wildlife and a healthy economy.

Phil also provides support to the newly created San Gorgonio Water Alliance, a group of 15 water entities that recently signed an historic MOU driving improved regional cooperation for mutual benefit among the water agencies.

In addition, Phil serves as Aviation Director for EDA, overseeing the five regional airports that are part of the EDA portfolio of economic development services in this county roughly the same size as the state of New Jersey.

Prior to accepting the challenge to help save California’s largest inland sea, Phil spent nearly a decade at Western Municipal Water District. In his role as External Affairs Director, he helped orchestrate strategies to counter threats and maximize opportunities affecting public resources and major water infrastructure projects.

Under Phil’s leadership, his agency’s successful legislative efforts were twice recognized by the nation’s largest water advocacy organization with its top award for Outstanding Outreach. Phil was also honored to receive the Outstanding Legislative Advocate of the Year by the California Special Districts Association. Dedicated to excellence in local government, Phil is a graduate of the Special District Leadership Academy for executive administrators. He earned a BA in Communications from Goshen College with minors in Political Science and Chemistry from Messiah College.

Well acquainted with state and federal legislators and issues related to water resources, Phil has served for many years on the state legislative committees for the Groundwater Resources Association (GRA), Association of California Water Agencies, (ACWA), California Special Districts Association (CSDA), and California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA). In addition, Phil has been a fierce advocate for citizens and taxpayers in Riverside County through his service on the Legislative Task Force for the Southern California Water Committee. He is a founding member of the California Groundwater Coalition (CGC) and has served on its legislative committee as well as on the Board of Directors for the Association of Ground Water Agencies (AGWA).

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