BY ELIZABETH JONASSON
Westlands Water District
Russ Freeman has been promoted to the role of Deputy General Counsel after serving as the Deputy General Manager- Resources for more than seven years. Freeman joined the District in 1997 and has been instrumental in developing some of the District’s key programs including supplemental water, land acquisition, power, and more recently solar development.
Freeman is a licensed California Professional Engineer and member of the State Bar of California. In his new position, he will provide legal guidance on key areas such as contracting, employment and public financing laws.
Freeman will also continue to support the District’s leadership on water supply and resource matters, develop recommendations, and coordinate with external counsel.
Kiti Buelna Campbell has been with the District since 2010, serving most recently as supervisor of resources since 2018. In that role, she managed the implementation and regulatory compliance of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) for the Westside Subbasin.
A licensed California Professional Engineer, Campbell has 15 years of expertise in water management, with a focus on water supply enhancement, groundwater management and California’s power market.
Her accomplishments include leading the efforts to recharge over 400,000 acre-feet of water in the District, securing more than $36M in grants to enhance water supply and support SGMA implementation activities, and overseeing the approval of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).
As Deputy General Manager of Resources, Campbell will continue shaping and executing the District’s goals, objectives, priorities and policies around water distribution and supply.
“All of us at Westlands Water District are excited to see Campbell and Freeman take on new roles and responsibilities as they continue to serve our growers,” said Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District. “Their extensive expertise, dedication and leadership will be invaluable as we address the evolving challenges facing our District.”
Both Kiti Campbell and Russ Freeman officially began their new roles on Jan. 1.
