Mark W. Cowin, P.E.

Mark is a Professional Engineer with more than 35 years’ experience specializing in water resources planning and management. He has extensive experience in collaborating with federal, state and local agencies, stemming from spending seven years as Director of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). With DWR, he managed over 3,500 employees with responsibility to protect, conserve and manage the state’s water supply. In addition, he advised the governor and secretary for natural resources, and worked closely with the state legislature in developing and implementing water resource management policy. Mark has also consulted with members of Congress, worked with high ranking officials of the federal government and testified before the state legislature regarding policy and budget matters.

During his tenure at DWR, Mr. Cowin served in several management positions and led the Department’s efforts on a variety of complex water management issues. His work included planning, developing and implementing many programs and projects, including management of California’s State Water Project, infrastructure and ecosystem improvements in the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta, drought response, groundwater management, urban and agricultural water use efficiency, flood management, mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM), updates to the California Water Plan, grant and loan programs, and the CALFED Bay-Delta Program.

Mark earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University.