As Special Counsel, Ronald R. Gastelum is responsible for Cordoba’s water and energy practice throughout California and the Southwestern United States. He has extensive experience in the public services and public infrastructure sectors, with particular emphasis on water, waste management, and energy.

He also serves as the Interim Executive Director of the Southern California Water Committee, a non-profit organization established to promote long term reliable water supplies for Southern California. He retired in 2004 as the Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, with responsibility for all electrical and water supply operations throughout the six county area of 18 million residents served by Metropolitan.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Ronald Gastelum was responsible for managing the operations of one of the largest water suppliers in the world, with an annual budget over $1billion and serving 18 million residents. He successfully led the MWD to further diversify the region’s water supply sources with the development of new large water transfer, groundwater banking, reclaimed water, and conservation programs. During his tenure as CEO, the agency accomplished a major management restructuring, adopted a new Strategic Plan with unprecedented public participation, updated its long term resources plan, completed a $2 billion new reservoir, adopted a long term capital improvement and finance plan, and completed a major overhaul of its rate structure.

Prior to joining Metropolitan, Mr. Gastelum was an attorney in both the public sector and in private practice specializing in transportation and environmental issues. Prior to joining Cordoba Corporation in February 2009, Mr. Gastelum practiced law at the firm of Paul Hastings focusing on water supply issues, and for an interim period served as the acting CEO of the LA Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gastelum is a member of the Board of Directors of the LA Chamber, and the Nature Conservancy, California Chapter. He also serves on the Board of Advisors of Falcon Waterfree Technologies, the USC Keston Institute, and DXV Technologies. Ron Gastelum also served as General Counsel for BKK Corporation, where he managed all environmental compliance matters, including extensive regulatory and legislative affairs in California and at the federal level.

Education / Certifications / Activities

• J.D., UCLA School of Law
• B.A., Whittier College
• California Bar Number 53582 (Inactive)