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George A. Murdoch
President - Division 3
Term Dec 2022 - Dec 2026
George A. Murdoch concluded a distinguished 38-year tenure with the City of Newport Beach, where he served as Municipal Operations Director overseeing water, wastewater, storm drain, streetlight, and oil well operations. In 2019, he was elected to the East Orange County Water District Board and currently serves as both Board President and Chair of the Engineering and Operations Committee. Mr. Murdoch holds the highest water distribution certification granted by the State Water Resources Control Board and is additionally certified in water treatment by the state. He presently is the Chair of Region 10 (San Diego & Orange County) for the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and serves on the statewide ACWA board of directors. His active engagement with ACWA encompasses participation on various committees and subcommittees, including Membership, Finance, Water Quality, Groundwater, and Business Development. A lifelong resident of Orange County, California, Mr. Murdoch resides in unincorporated North Tustin.
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CONTACT
Phone: 714-538-5815
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Marilyn T. Thoms
Vice President - Division 2
Term Dec 2022 - Dec 2026
Director Thoms is a water industry expert with more than forty years of experience. She served the County of Orange for 15 years as Manager of the Watershed Management Division of Public Works leading the Environmental Engineering, Watershed Management, Mitigation and Administrative teams prior to her retirement in 2018.
During her tenure at the County, she was instrumental in securing more than $100M in federal, state, and local funding for engineering and environmental projects. Director Thoms also led efforts to develop regional watershed management strategies to preserve, protect and enhance coastal resources and surface waters throughout Orange County.
Since 2018 she has served as a Principal of Solutions Project Management, LLC, a North Tustin based firm that specializes in planning, developing, financing, and implementing infrastructure, water resource and environmental projects.
Marilyn is a third generation North Tustin resident where she still resides with her husband Hal and is committed to giving back to her community through various charitable, educational, and philanthropic works. She is a past Chairwoman of the Assistance League of Tustin Winifred Campbell Auxiliary, past President and current member of the Orange County Historical Commission where she was appointed by Supervisors Campbell, Spitzer and Wagner. Director Thoms is also the past President and current member of the Orange County Academic Decathlon Association, Secretary of the Tustin Area Historical Society, and member of the Orange Elks and Foothill Communities Association.
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CONTACT
Phone: 714-538-5815
Douglass S. Davert
Director Division 5
Term December 2024 - 2028
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Doug Davert was first elected to the East Orange County Water District in 2012 and was reelected in 2016, 2020, and 2024. He served as Board President from 2015-2024. Doug has served the community in many capacities, as a member of the Tustin City Council (2002-2010) and as Mayor (2006 & 2009), as well as Tustin’s representative to the Orange County Sanitation District (served as Chairman from 2008-2010) and at the Orange County Fire Authority (served as Chair in 2009). He has also served on the Orange County Vector Control Board, the Orange County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee, the successor agency oversight board for Tustin’s and Orange’s Redevelopment Agencies and the Southern California Association of Governments. Since 2018, he has represented Orange County’s Special Districts as a Commissioner of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and also serves as Chairman of the Orange County Fire Authority Foundation. He serves on the Energy, Water Quality and Groundwater Committees for the Association of California Water Agencies.
Doug is a graduate of Chapman University (B.A.) and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He was the founding/managing partner of a boutique southern California business and real estate law firm for 30 years before “retiring” to become the Assistant General Manager of the Yorba Linda Water District where he has served since 2020. He is a married father of two adult daughters and enjoys skiing, biking and attending as many car shows as he can squeeze in.
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CONTACT
Phone: 714-538-5815
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John Sears
Director - Division 1
Term Dec 2024 - 2028
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John's career was in the food business, an executive with Safeway Stores, Inc., now retired after 35 years. He is a community leader/activist, five year Director of a Brain Tumor Foundation, a twelve year board member and past President of Hillcrest Bay, Inc. HOA. He chaired the UCSA, an Under Ground Utility Conversion Project and participated setting up an Underground Utility District. On behalf of the project, he appeared before the Arizona Corporation Commission four times. John is a board member of the Foothill Communities Association, being concerned about water rates, has appeared before the CPUC on behalf of ratepayers. John is active as a tennis player, belonging over time to three local tennis clubs, an art collector, enjoys boating at Lake Havasu, and an investor, owner and manager of real property.
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CONTACT
Phone: 714-538-5815
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Karin Marquez
Director - Division 4
Term 2025 - 2026
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Karin Marquez is an active Community Advocate & Leader.
Director Marquez is deeply committed to serving the community, as it allows her to advocate for positive changes that enhance the well-being of residents in the community. Through her leadership and volunteer efforts, she continues to dedicate her time to fostering collaboration and strengthening community connections.
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Karin's Leadership & Community roles include:
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1998 - Present - President, Tustin Effective Apartment Managers (T.E.A.M)
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Chief's Advisory Board, Tustin Police Department
Member 2021-2024, and 2006-2015
Chair 2014-2015
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2017 - 2021, Board of Directors, Tustin Chamber of Commerce
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Property Management Professional since 1978
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Karin is a 27-year resident of the district, which allows her to bring unique insights and strong relationships within the community, particularly in engaging with apartment managers and residents.
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CONTACT
Phone: 714-538-5815