(December 27, 2007) David N. Kennedy, who served as principal water advisor to Governors Davis and Deukmejian and successfully managed the challenges of a five-year drought and three major floods, passed away last week at the age of 71. He served for a record 15 years as the state's "water czar."
CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg, who worked closely with Kennedy in the past, issued the following statement:
"I am deeply saddened by the news that Dave Kennedy, former Director of the California Department of Water Resources passed away last Sunday," said Allan Zaremberg, CalChamber President and CEO.
"Dave was a dedicated public servant who enriched all of our lives by his commitment to providing Californians with a safe and reliable water supply. For those of us who were privileged to know him personally and work with him day to day, Dave will be forever remembered for his quiet leadership, intellect, sly wit and the confidence that two former Governors and their staffs placed in his counsel. Part of Dave's legacy will surely be his mentoring of some of California's most talented public servants. Dave was an inspiration and someone who greatly enriched our lives.
"Yet, even those who did not know Dave personally benefited from his dedication to public service. His trusted leadership as the water advisor to Governors Wilson and Deukmejian ensured that Californians have access to a safe and reliable source of water, even in the face of floods and droughts. Dave was a unifying force on a contentious issue and will be long remembered for his commitment to California's prosperity and security."
In a recent LA Times news article, Kennedy was characterized by former Governor Pete Wilson as knowing more about water than anyone else in the state. Among many Kennedy accomplishments outlined in the story were his role in expanding the State Water Project's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta pumping capacity and improving the state's water-related environmental safeguards. In 1994, Kennedy helped negotiate the Monterey Agreement, which made the delivery of State Water Project water more equitable and, in 1986, after widespread flooding devastated the state, he created the Joint Operations Center which enhanced the state's ability to combat and respond to flooding.