News Release Archive

Reclamation Appoints Area Manager for South-Central California Area Office

Media Contact: Jeffrey S. McCracken, 916-978-5100, 08/14/2006 18:36

For Release: August 14, 2006

Mr. Michael Jackson has been selected to head the Bureau of Reclamation's South-Central California Area Office (SCCAO) in Fresno, California.

"Michael Jackson's expertise in working with stakeholders, his strong management skills, and his years of experience make him well-equipped to lead the South-Central California Area Office," said Kirk Rodgers, Regional Director for Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region.

As Area Manager, Mr. Jackson is responsible for managing and directing a full range of program activities for an area encompassing the San Francisco Bay-Delta, San Joaquin Valley, and the south-coastal areas of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. SCCAO's program activities include a comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) program for the Central Valley Project's Friant Dam and Tracy Fish Collection Facility and the Cachuma Project's Bradbury Dam. Mr. Jackson is responsible for oversight of O&M contracts for 13 other dams and more than 275 miles of canals (ranging in capacity from 1,000-13,000 cubic feet per second) and water contracts for some 75 water districts and municipalities. The office oversees drainage-related water quality concerns in the San Joaquin Valley and also manages the implementation of several activities required under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (Public Law 102-575).

Mr. Jackson became the SCCAO Deputy Area Manager in 1997. From 1995-1997, he served in Washington D.C. as the Mid-Pacific Regional Liaison and subsequently as the Reclamation Liaison, working with numerous Congressional representatives; stakeholders; and Department of the Interior, Reclamation, and other agency leadership. Mr. Jackson came to Reclamation in 1982 under the Rotation Engineer Program, serving in various offices to gain an understanding of the agency's mission. He replaces Mr. William "Bill" Luce, who retires from Reclamation this month after 32 years of service, the last 16 as the SCCAO Area Manager.

Mr. Jackson is a graduate of the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He is also a registered Professional Engineer. He resides in Fresno and has a 12-year-old son.

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