Effective August 1, 2026 the SCV Water Board of Directors appointed Steve Cole as General Manager following the retirement of Matt Stone.

As General Manager, Cole oversees Agency operations to ensure reliable delivery and effective management of its water supplies for the Santa Clarita Valley.

He was instrumental in the formation of SCV Water, collaborating with various partners and interested parties over a two-year period to support the passage of SB 634 (Wilk), which established the regional water agency in January 2018.

Cole previously served as SCV Water’s Assistant General Manager for eight years.

“The Board is thrilled to have Steve as General Manager to lead the next chapter for SCV Water,” said Board President Maria Gutzeit. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Steve since 2003. His knowledge and expertise on local, regional and statewide water issues make him the ideal leader for our Agency. He is the right person to guide the Santa Clarita Valley community as we build long-term resilience and sustainability for our water future.”

During his tenure with SCV Water, Cole has focused on strengthening regional water resiliency by advancing initiatives that help the Agency adapt to extreme weather conditions, meet evolving regulatory requirements, and secure a reliable water supply for customers. He is also leading a proactive, multi-year effort to restore local groundwater supplies through the construction of water treatment facilities that remove PFAS and improve water quality.

Drawing on more than 25 years of water industry experience, including 13 years as General Manager of the former Newhall County Water District, Cole is focused on growing the Agency to meet the evolving needs of the Santa Clarita Valley.

His experience helps to align employees around shared goals, while his calm, approachable and trustworthy leadership fosters a collaborative and supportive workplace culture. 

Promotions

With the appointment of Cole as General Manager, Chief Operating Officer Keith Abercrombie was promoted to Assistant General Manager to fill the vacated position. He will oversee the Agency’s Engineering, Water Resources, Operations and Maintenance, Water Quality, Safety and Emergency Preparedness functions. Abercrombie will serve alongside existing Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration Rochelle Patterson.

“Keith has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, sound judgment and an unwavering commitment to serving our customers and our community. His promotion to Assistant General Manager reflects not only his outstanding contributions over the years, but also his ability to help lead the Agency into the future,” said General Manager Cole. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside Keith as we advance our strategic priorities, invest in

reliable water infrastructure, and ensure SCV Water remains well positioned to meet the needs of our growing community.” 

Director of Maintenance and Operations Mike Alvord has also been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and will oversee the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Agency, which includes water treatment, production and distribution, water quality laboratory and regulatory compliance, and field services.

“Mike’s ability to lead complex operations, inspire our teams, and deliver reliable, high-quality water services has earned the respect of colleagues and stakeholders alike,” stated Cole. “I am confident that as our Chief Operating Officer, he will continue to drive operational excellence, foster innovation and help position our Agency for long-term success. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated leader guiding our operations into the future.”

Ed. Note: The above information was provided to KHTS Radio by SCV Water.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.