Alfred Smith, chair of Nossaman’s Water Group, was recently elected as President of the Water Education Foundation’s Board of Directors. Alfred’s ties to the organization began in 1999, when he was a member of the Foundation’s Water Leaders cohort two years after the yearlong program began. Program participants deepen their knowledge on water, enhance their leadership skills and learn how to take an active, cooperative approach to decision-making about water resource issues. While many graduates of the Water Leaders program sit on the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Alfred is the first one to become president. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation since 2022.
Commenting on his history with Foundation Alfred said, “Since I completed the Water Leaders program 25 years ago, I have had tremendous respect and appreciation for the Foundation’s important mission as it educates, mentors, provides vital programming and raises awareness of critical water issues in California and across the West.” He added, “I look forward to helping the board and staff enhance the Foundation’s mission as a respected and impartial source of information to inspire a better understanding of water issues.”
“Alfred’s history with the Foundation is unique and makes his rise to board president a compelling story. We are grateful to have him take on this important role,” said Eric Robinson, a Sacramento-based water resources attorney who serves as the Foundation’s Vice President.
An impartial nonprofit based in Sacramento, the Foundation focuses on producing news, maps, publications, workshops and tours to raise awareness of water issues in California and across the Colorado River Basin. In addition, the Foundation serves as the California coordinator of Project WET, a K-12 program that helps teachers learn how to bring lessons on water science into the classroom.