Charley Wilson, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

By Charley Wilson

Biography

Wilson most recently was elected as Chairman of the Southern California Water Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public education partnership between cities, counties, business, industry, agriculture and water agencies dedicated to securing adequate, reliable affordable, quality water for Southern California. Wilson was also selected by the Special Districts of Orange County to serve as their alternate representative to the Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO). LAFCO is a state mandated local agency responsible primarily for establishing jurisdictional boundaries and forming new cities or districts.

Charley has been a leading public affairs professional in Southern California for more than 25 years. Wilson has spent the past 18 years in the electric utility industry, with Southern California Edison, where he coordinates the development and implementation of strategic planning and communication efforts to align company interests with local, state and federal government officials and agencies.

Prior to joining Southern California Edison, he served as director of community and media affairs for State and U.S. Senator John Seymour. He has also worked in sports radio and television with ABC, ESPN, and the Netherlands Broadcast Company.

A frequent lecturer and university level instructor, Wilson was invited to provide advanced political campaign and communications seminars to train candidates and political parties in Novosibirsk, Russia. Wilson has also hosted and produced "Orange County Outlook," a locally produced television show highlighting current events, political debate and economic development activities in Orange County.

A graduate of UCLA, Charley earned his BA degree in political science with an emphasis in international relations and public administration. He has done some work toward an MA in organizational leadership at Chapman University.

Charley has been involved in several community activities including the Southern California Water Committee, Association of California Water Agencies, Southern California Public Affairs Association Advisory Board, Southern California Building Industry Association, Serra Catholic School's Parent Advisory Board, Young Executives of America, the Orange County Public Affairs Association, Orange County Business Council, Mission Hospital Foundation, the Knights of Columbus, Constitutional Rights Foundation, Boy Scouts, YMCA, United Way, Red Cross, KOCE TV, Cystic Fibrosis, CORO, the Sigma Chi fraternity and the UCLA alumni association.

Charley and his wife, Pam, live in South Orange County with their daughter.