News Release Archive

Reclamation Selects Randy Chandler as Area Manager for Phoenix Area Office

Media Contact: Colleen Dwyer , (702) 293-8420 , cdwyer@usbr.gov
Robert Walsh, rwalsh@usbr.gov

For Release: November 04, 2010

Randy Chandler, a career Bureau of Reclamation employee, has been selected as the new Area Manager for Reclamation's Phoenix, Ariz., Area Office (PxAO).

Lorri Gray-Lee, Regional Director for Reclamation's Lower Colorado Region, of which the PxAO is a part, said, "Randy is intimately familiar with PxAO's historic and current role of Reclamation helping address complex water management issues in Arizona, and in implementing solutions to help resolve those issues. His broad range of experience, capacity to work with diverse stakeholders, and excellent management skills make him extremely well-suited to lead this key Reclamation office."

As Area Manager, Chandler will direct and oversee Reclamation's programs in central, southern and northern Arizona; Reclamation programs in the state's southwest corner are managed by the Lower Colorado Region's Yuma Area Office. Chandler fills the vacancy left by the retirement of former Area Manager Carol Erwin earlier this year.

After graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1978, Chandler began working at PxAO (then known as the Arizona Projects Office) as a hydraulic engineer. He has spent his 33-year Reclamation career at this office, moving into progressively more complex and responsible positions.

From late 1987 to 1995, he was chief of the Office's Water Systems Branch. The branch's responsibilities included coordinating with the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) to develop the operation and maintenance agreement for the Central Arizona Project (CAP) as it transitioned from construction to operation, and coordinating the development of CAP water delivery and distribution systems for various irrigation districts.

From mid-1995 to mid-1999, Chandler was Chief of PxAO's Contracts and Oversight Management Division. This office developed, administered, and performed oversight of all contracts and agreements related to the O&M of all Reclamation projects and programs within the PxAO's area of responsibility, as well as implementation, construction, and oversight phases of Reclamation's loan program activities in central Arizona. As Division Chief, Chandler led the successful negotiations for the transfer of the CAP O&M responsibility to the CAWCD, and issued notices of completion to initiate project repayment.

Since mid-1999, Chandler has been PxAO's Deputy Area Manager. While performing the routine management responsibilities of this position, he also has participated on interdisciplinary Department of the Interior and stakeholder teams to help address and resolve complex Native American water rights issues in Arizona, and been part of or led Federal teams involved in addressing and resolving complex financial and operational issues related to the CAP's repayment costs.

He also has served on or led Reclamation-wide teams formed to evaluate Reclamation policy and direction, including the "Managing for Excellence" review conducted by Reclamation in recent years, continues to serve as Reclamation's representative on the federal negotiation team for the settlement of the White Mountain Apache water rights claims, and leads the federal negotiation team for settlement of the Navajo and Hopi water claims in northeastern Arizona.

Chandler has received numerous awards in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions during his career, including the Department of the Interior's Meritorious and Superior Service awards, two of the highest honor awards available to Interior Department employees for career accomplishment or exceptional support of Departmental missions.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.