Santa Clara Valley Water District CEO Resigns After Misconduct Inquiry

The CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Rick Callender, has resigned following a year-long investigation into allegations of misconduct. His resignation, effective March 1, 2027, allows him to serve as an advisor to the board chairman, Tony Estremera, while continuing to receive his annual salary of $520,000 along with benefits.

Callender has been with the water agency, the largest in Silicon Valley, since 1996 and became CEO in 2020. The district, which provides drinking water and flood protection to approximately 2 million residents in Santa Clara County, is supported by water charges and taxes. The board approved the resignation agreement with a vote of 6-1 after a two-hour closed session, with Board Member Rebecca Eisenberg casting the dissenting vote.

Estremera described the decision as a necessary compromise, stating, “You can have everybody suing everybody instead of providing services to the public. We have to balance that out.” He emphasized the need to avoid prolonged litigation that could distract from the district’s mission.

Callender has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was planning to retire in late 2025 and only remained to clear his name. His leave of absence began in December 2024 after a female employee filed a complaint against him, which was followed by additional complaints from other employees. The precise nature of these allegations has not been disclosed publicly.

In January 2025, Callender’s legal counsel, Lori Costanzo, sent a letter to the district seeking his personnel file while threatening litigation for “hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, and more.” During his leave, which lasted over 14 months, Callender continued to receive his full salary as the district hired the legal firm Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo to investigate the allegations. Additionally, the district engaged Progress Public Affairs, a crisis communications firm, to manage public relations throughout the inquiry.

Estremera indicated that the final report from the investigation will be released in the coming week. He stated, “We have reports that we are going to be redacting to protect the privacy of the witnesses.” When pressed about the investigation’s findings, Estremera preferred to wait for the report’s official release.

Eisenberg, who has been critical of Callender and the board, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the investigation’s outcomes. In previous statements, she highlighted the serious nature of the allegations against Callender and criticized the board’s handling of the situation. “Allowing the top executive who has been accused of such terrible behavior by so many people to go on voluntary paid vacation is not a consequence,” she remarked.

Callender, now 55, was appointed CEO after a 4-3 board vote during a closed session, making him the first African-American CEO of the water district. He has held various positions within the organization since its inception, and his leadership has been notable in both local and national contexts. He previously served as president of the San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP and has a background in public relations and government affairs.

As the water district seeks a permanent replacement for Callender, Melanie Richardson will continue to serve as the interim CEO. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the investigation and the decision to retain Callender in an advisory role have drawn criticism from employees. Salam Baqleh, vice president of the Valley Water Employees Association, voiced concerns about the impact of these events on the agency’s workforce, stating, “It’s appalling that he will stay on as a special consultant and our members are still in the dark after more than a year.”

The developments surrounding Rick Callender’s resignation underscore significant challenges within the Santa Clara Valley Water District, raising questions about accountability and transparency in leadership. As the investigation’s findings become public, the implications for the agency and its employees remain to be seen.