IRWD’s Most Tangible Asset: Employees

Cheryl Clary appointed as Executive Director of Finance and Administration

Cheryl Clary has been appointed as the Irvine Ranch Water District Executive Director of Finance and Administration. As a member of the IRWD team, Clary will be responsible for overseeing IRWD finance and treasury operations, including a combined 2012/13 operating and capital budget of approximately $175 million.  She will also oversee the customer service and purchasing departments as well as information technology.

“At IRWD, we believe our employees are our best asset and Cheryl brings with her a wealth of real world experience.” said Paul Cook, IRWD General Manager. “Cheryl’s extensive background in finance, accounting, and information services will reinforce our commitment to provide our customers with a reliable and safe water supply at the highest level of service and lowest possible cost.”

Cheryl Clary has held several executive positions, most recently as the Chief Financial Officer for DPI Specialty Foods, a privately held food distribution company with $1 billion in sales.  Her experience also includes time as the Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice President of Finance with Southwest Water Company, a publicly traded water and contract services business operating in multiple states with $225 million in sales and more than 200 million customers.

She also spent 18 years with Atlantic Richfield Company as the Chief Financial Officer for three large business units where she had full financial responsibility for all accounting and controls, strategic planning, performance analysis, contracting and procurement and information technology.

Clary is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and the UCLA Executive Program at the Anderson School of Management.