Water Authority Hires Public Affairs Representative for Imperial Valley
November 20, 2007
The San Diego County Water Authority has hired longtime Imperial Valley journalist Darren Simon to serve as its senior public…
The San Diego County Water Authority has hired longtime Imperial Valley journalist Darren Simon to serve as its senior public affairs representative in Imperial Valley.
Simon, a reporter for the Imperial Valley Press for 14 years, has spent the past two years covering the Imperial Irrigation District. He will work part time for the Water Authority through the end of the year and begin working full time January 2.
Simon replaces Grace Sesma in the Water Authority’s Imperial Valley office. Sesma, who served as public affairs representative since 2005, will continue to represent the Water Authority in the Imperial Valley as a consultant.
Water Authority officials said Simon was chosen as the public affairs representative in the Valley because of his knowledge of water issues related to the 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement and because of his familiarity with the Water Authority and the Imperial Valley.
“Darren’s strong roots in the community and experience covering complex water issues will help us stay connected with the needs and concerns of our partners in Imperial Valley and strengthen our communities’ mutual ties,” said Water Authority General Manager Maureen Stapleton.
Simon said he looks forward to representing the Water Authority in the Imperial Valley.
“There are few issues in the Imperial Valley and San Diego region that are as critical as water,” he said. “My objective will be to help the Imperial Valley and San Diego communities work together in a spirit of respect and cooperation.”
Simon has lived in the Imperial Valley since 1994. In that time, he has worked as a journalist and as an educator, teaching English and journalism at Imperial Valley College.
He resides in El Centro with his wife and two sons.
“The Imperial Valley is my adopted home,” he said. “I believe the Imperial Valley can have a prosperous future, and I believe a new era of open dialogue and understanding between the Valley and the Water Authority can ensure that future.”
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