LOS FELIZ—The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced on Tuesday, July 23, that the board appointed Martin L. Adams as the new Interim General Manager. Adams will replace David Wright. The news came a day after the FBI raided the LADWP downtown office at 111 N. Hope Street and City Hall on Monday, July 22.
The reason for the FBI raid is unknown, but in August 2015 the LADWP reached a settlement during a class action lawsuit that pertained to over-billing customers.
Wright had been the General Manager for the company since 2016 and announced in June 2019 that he would step down in October, but Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti pushed for Wright to transition from the position earlier.
“LADWP is at the center of a generational transition toward a more sustainable Los Angeles, and our utility needs a leader with the experience and vision to help us realize that promise,” said Mayor Garcetti in a statement.
Adams was nominated in June by Mayor Garcetti who fully supports his new role.
“Marty has played a critical role in navigating the department through some of its toughest challenges, and I know that he is the right person to lead LADWP forward,” said Garcetti.
Adams has been with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for the past 35 years and was recently the Chief Operating Officer. According to LADWP, Adams helped Los Angeles reduce water use by almost 20 percent, oversaw the creation of new customer rebates and programs and worked on replacing old infrastructure when he served as Senior Assistant General Manager.
His appointment to the new position still subject to City Council confirmation. He will serve as the interim General Manager until he is confirmed.
