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Mid-Pacific Regional Director Receives Highest Honor during Public Service Recognition Week

Media Contact: Sarah K. Webster, 202-513-0568

For Release: May 07, 2015

WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today awarded Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo with the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor of the Department of the Interior, for his leadership on water, power and environmental issues.

Murillo oversees the Mid-Pacific Region's 11 water projects, including the Central Valley Project, in an area encompassing the northern two-thirds of California, most of western Nevada and part of southern Oregon.

"David's role managing water in Reclamation's drought-stricken Mid-Pacific Region has made him a key figure in California's economy and the nation's food production," Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Estevan López said. "It is our honor to recognize him for his leadership and dedication to public service."

In 2013, Murillo worked with key stakeholders to organize outreach meetings that would explore options for managing limited water supplies. These meetings helped formulate the 2014 Central Valley Project Water Plan, a document that served as the cornerstone for Reclamation's response to one of the worst droughts on record in California.

In spring 2014, Murillo made difficult decisions as the region's drought conditions worsened. He worked closely with water users, environmental interests, tribes and federal and state agencies to develop and implement a Drought Operations Plan that would make the best use of available water supplies, while balancing environmental needs and preparing for continued drought conditions.

Murillo joined Reclamation in 2000 as the manager of the field office in Yakima, Washington, where he was responsible for the operation and maintenance of storage reservoirs, fish facilities, diversion dams and hydropower plants. In 2006, Murillo became the power manager for the Grand Coulee Power Office, the nation's largest hydroelectric facility. There he managed the Grand Coulee and Hungry Horse dams and power plants.

Murillo also served as Reclamation's deputy commissioner for operations for two years, overseeing operations in five regions across the 17 western states, the Native American and International Affairs Office and Technical Resources.

He is originally from Yakima and graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1984. Murillo and his wife, Terri, have three adult children.

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Relevant Link:

David Murillo Biography