San Angelo Says Farewell to an Asset

SAN ANGELO, TX - As the Water Utilities Department moves it's customer service and billing offices, COSA announces Director Bill Riley's retirement effective Dec. 8.  One read through the city's announcement from their Facebook page for public information, leads us to believe, San Angelo is losing a great asset to our city on one of the most important consistent troublemakers to our citizen and city staff- water. 

From the San Angelo Public Information page:

"The search for Riley’s successor begins Friday, Oct. 20, when the opening will be posted at cosatx.us/jobs.

Riley joined the City in December 2014 with more than 30 years experience as a water utilities professional. Over the past three years, he has spearheaded major efforts that have led to:

• The purchase of the Ford Ranch, which protects San Angelo’s rights to the Hickory Aquifer from encroachment by other users.
• Expansion of the Hickory Aquifer wellfield that will give San Angelo full access to its allotment from the groundwater source.
• A new water rate structure that has put the water utility back on a path to financial sustainability. The new rates are also allowing for greater investment in water infrastructure and increasing the ability to finance future water supply projects.
• An exhaustive search for future water supplies in coordination with the West Texas Water Partnership.
• The replacement of water and sewer mains as part of the City’s 10-year plan to rebuild San Angelo’s worst streets.
• The necessary research to update San Angelo’s nearly 100-year-old water treatment plant and to use retreated wastewater at some future point.

“San Angelo is mostly unaware how fortunate we were to have Bill Riley, his expertise and his experience,” Public Works Director Ricky Dickson said. “Water is our community’s most pressing challenge, and we’re in a far better position today than we were three years ago. That’s directly tied to Bill’s efforts and his leadership.

“Beyond that, he’s just a tremendous person,” Dickson added. “Hopefully, we can find someone of Bill’s caliber. It’s important to find the right person who fits this organization.”

The water utilities director is responsible for all operational and infrastructure matters related to water supply, production, distribution, quality and conservation. The director is also responsible for wastewater treatment, utilities maintenance, billing and customer service.

Riley cited pressing needs within his family as the reason for his retirement.

“I was drawn to this job because I knew how challenging San Angelo’s water issues are,” Riley said. “I hope I’ve made a difference that will serve this community well for generations to come. I wish I could continue, but life has other plans for me.”

Prior to joining the City, Riley served as president and general partner of Water Resources Management, LLC, a consulting firm that assisted water utilities with developing strategies for a broad spectrum of operational, management, financial and resource challenges. From 1991-2000, he served as the water/wastewater utilities manager in College Station, where he began his career in 1983. From 2000-02, Riley managed the water and wastewater consulting practice of Reed, Stowe & Yanke, providing financial, management and operations guidance to public sector clients."

Well, best of luck to you Bill, and even more to the San Angelo as a replacement is sought.