General Manager
San Patricio Municipal Water District (SPMWD)
Mackenzie Eason & Associates has been retained by the San Patricio Municipal Water District (SPMWD) to recruit its next General Manager. The current General Manager, who has guided the District for the past thirteen years, will retire in 2026, marking a significant leadership transition for one of the Gulf Coast’s most critical regional water providers.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the next General Manager will guide a team of 37 employees through a period of major capital investment and long-range resource planning. With a 2025 budget exceeding $42 million, three treatment plants producing in excess of 20 million gallons per day, and water sales split roughly 50/50 between municipal and industrial customers, the District operates at the intersection of community life and industrial growth along the Gulf Coast.
The next General Manager will lead a sophisticated, technically skilled organization at a pivotal time, balancing infrastructure renewal, water supply reliability, and long-term planning amid the challenges of growth, industrial demand, and water scarcity.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Established in 1951 by the Texas Legislature, the San Patricio Municipal Water District supplies treated and raw water to municipalities and industries across the Coastal Bend region north of Corpus Christi Bay. Today, SPMWD serves both municipal customers—such as Portland, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, and Rockport, and major industrial users along the La Quinta Ship Channel. The District’s role is central to sustaining community growth and fueling one of the state’s most dynamic industrial corridors, home to refineries, petrochemical facilities, and port operations vital to Texas’ economy. The District’s mission is simple yet vital: to deliver reliable, high-quality water that sustains both local communities and world-scale industries.
The District is at an inflection point. The Board seeks an experienced and visionary General Manager to guide the organization through an era of strategic renewal. Over the next decade, the District will undertake one of the most significant infrastructure projects in its history, replacement of its original 1960s-era water transmission line, while simultaneously developing contingency plans to safeguard regional supply through future droughts. This leader will be responsible for aligning capital, engineering, and operational strategies with the Board’s long-term vision for reliability, sustainability, and financial stewardship.
In the coming decade, SPMWD will:
- Replace its original 1960s-era transmission pipeline from the Nueces River and Corpus Christi system—a project that will require multiyear financing and strong coordination with industrial and municipal partners.
- Address short- and medium-term growth needs, while looking at long-term expansion of supply resilience through the potential development of a 40 MGD desalination plant.
- Continue building drought contingency measures as the region faces the most challenging hydrologic conditions in decades.
This is a rare opportunity for a water-sector executive or senior utility leader to shape the future of an organization that literally sustains life and industry in the region. The new General Manager will inherit a stable, respected organization with an experienced team and strong customer partnerships, and will be empowered to plan for the future and district resilience in a changing water environment.
ABOUT THE DISTRICT
The San Patricio Municipal Water District was created to ensure reliable, high-quality water service for the region’s growing municipalities and industrial base. Governed by an eight-member Board of Directors, seven elected from member communities and one representing industrial customers, the District operates as a wholesale water provider with a dual mission: to deliver dependable potable water to municipal systems and provide tailored grades of water (potable, clarified, raw, and highly polished) to industrial users.
SPMWD draws its supply through long-term contracts with the City of Corpus Christi and manages a comprehensive treatment and distribution system centered near Ingleside. The District is recognized for its sound fiscal management, commitment to quality, and reputation for technical excellence. With a service area that underpins both everyday living and world-class industrial operations, SPMWD plays a quiet but indispensable role in regional prosperity.
The District purchases about 40 MGD from the City of Corpus Christi’s regional supply, 24 MGD of raw water and 16 MGD of treated. while operating three treatment plants with a combined rated capacity of 38 MGD:
- Plant A: Conventional sand-filtration plant producing potable water (rated 9 MGD; average 3.4 MGD)
- Plant B: Package treatment plant serving industrial clients (rated 8 MGD; average 4.9 MGD)
- Plant C: Membrane microfiltration plant built in 2000 and expanded by 6 MGD to a 21.4 MGD capacity (average 11.8 MGD)
Over the last decade, industrial development has driven significant expansion. Notable customers include:
- ArcelorMittal (voestalpine) – 1.4 MGD
- Cheniere Energy – 0.4 MGD
- OxyEthylene – 3.5 MGD
- GCGV (Exxon/SABIC joint venture) – 25 MGD
- Steel Dynamics – 5 MGD
SPMWD’s fiscal discipline is evident in steady revenue growth: from $21 million in 2020 to $42.6 million in 2025. The District operates on a calendar fiscal year and has managed major capital projects primarily through direct industrial funding, with limited bonded debt.
Beyond engineering and operations, the General Manager plays a key strategic role coordinating with Corpus Christi’s regional system, aligning capital financing, and navigating complex political and regulatory landscapes that influence regional water supply.
THE POSITION — WHAT YOU WILL DO
The General Manager serves as the District’s chief executive officer, responsible for translating the Board’s policy direction into operational performance and strategic progress. The General Manager will oversee all aspects of administration, finance, operations, engineering, and maintenance, ensuring that SPMWD continues to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective water to its customers.
The General Manager will work closely with the Board of Directors to establish priorities, manage multi-year budgets and capital programs, and foster collaboration with municipal and industrial partners. Internally, the General Manager will provide direction to a talented management team, including the Assistant General Manager and a total staff of 37, to maintain a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
Key priorities will include advancing planning and execution of the District’s capital replacement program, strengthening drought contingency and long-term water supply strategies, and guiding operational modernization efforts. The General Manager will also serve as the District’s public face, representing SPMWD before city councils, commissions, state agencies, and industry partners, while building trust with employees, customers, and stakeholders across the region.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
The Board seeks a proven executive who combines technical understanding with strategic insight, fiscal discipline, and exceptional relationship management skills. The ideal candidate will bring deep familiarity with public utilities, water or infrastructure operations, or other technically complex service environments, paired with the ability to lead long-range planning, capital investment, and policy development.
A Professional Engineer license is not required but is preferred; candidates should nonetheless possess a solid grasp of engineering principles and capital project delivery. The next General Manager will demonstrate political acumen, integrity, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse Board of Directors and multiple municipal and industrial customers. Experience navigating state and federal water regulations, financing large-scale infrastructure, and managing drought planning or resource allocation will be especially valuable.
This leader will balance operational excellence with strategic foresight, capable of drilling into technical details while articulating a compelling long-term vision. They will be an engaging communicator, a collaborative problem-solver, and a steady hand who can guide the District through both immediate challenges and future growth.
The successful candidate’s personality will naturally align with the culture and rhythm of San Patricio County, a place that values authenticity, humility, and steady leadership over visibility or self-promotion. It is preferred that the candidate live within the service area. This individual will be grounded, approachable, and community-minded, able to build trust through consistency and quiet confidence. They will understand and respect the area’s small-town character and pace, working effectively within it while guiding the organization forward with professionalism, integrity, and long-term vision.
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic Leadership: Establish organizational goals and policies in concert with the Board and municipal/industrial partners.
- Operations & Capital Planning: Oversee three treatment plants, future desalination initiatives, and pipeline replacement programs while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Financial Management: Administer a $42 million budget, guide capital financing and bond strategy, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
- Board Relations: Prepare meeting agendas, provide comprehensive information for decision-making, and maintain transparency and accountability.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with customer cities, industrial partners, consultants, and regulatory agencies to advance regional projects.
- Team Development: Lead and mentor staff (37 FTEs plus seasonal employees), promoting safety, technical competence, and a culture of excellence.
- External Relations: Represent the District in public forums and statewide water policy conversations with professional credibility and measured advocacy
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, public administration, or related field (required); Master’s degree preferred.
- Substantial leadership experience in a water utility, public works, or industrial infrastructure organization.
- Knowledge of water treatment, distribution, and regulatory compliance in Texas.
- Demonstrated success managing budgets of $25 million or more and leading capital projects from design through implementation.
- Proficiency in contract negotiation, bond financing, and intergovernmental relations.
- Ability to collaborate with engineering consultants, attorneys, and regulatory agencies.
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) license preferred.
- Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License (or ability to obtain).
COMPENSATION
Compensation is commensurate with experience and will be negotiated based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and track record. The District offers a comprehensive benefits package, retirement through TCDRS, and a supportive, stable governance environment.
ABOUT THE SEARCH
This recruitment is being conducted by Mackenzie Eason & Associates on behalf of the San Patricio Municipal Water District. Confidential inquiries and expressions of interest should be directed to the search consultants at:
Mackenzie Eason & Associates
dgeorge@mackenzieeason.com
17-922-9152
