Charles Treviño

Water industry affiliations:

Treviño was first elected to the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District Board of Directors in November 2008 and is serving his fifth consecutive four-year term.  He represents Upper District’s Division 2 which includes all or parts of Rosemead, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, South San Gabriel, and Temple City. Treviño served as Board President in 2011, Vice-President in 2009 and 2010 and Treasurer in 2017, 2018, and 2022.

Treviño has served as a representative to the Association of California Water Agencies’ Joint Powers Insurance Authority, a representative to the San Gabriel Valley Protective Association, a board member of the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, and as City Manager for the City of Bell Gardens. He worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District as a teacher and administrator until his retirement in 2002. He currently serves on the Los Angeles County Proposition W Regional Oversight Committee, the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults, and as Chair of the City of South Pasadena’s Public Works Commission.

He has been a strong supporter of Upper District’s development of the Integrated Resources Plan, Urban Water Management and Water Use Efficiency Plans, which have outlined the district’s blueprint for water reliability and ensure a sustainable, clean water supply.  Treviño has also strongly advocated for the expansion of Upper District’s robust recycled water system and community-based storm water capture projects across the district’s service area.

Treviño joined Upper District with extensive experience in the water industry. After many years with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), he retired in 2014 as a Principal Public Affairs Representative in the education unit of the External Affairs Group. Previously, he served as a Government Affairs Representative for MWD, collaborating with the chairmen of the Senate and Assembly water committees on legislation to enhance the efficiency of the State Water Project. His efforts ensured the delivery of an adequate, reliable supply of affordable, high-quality water for Southern California and earned him legislative recognition for raising awareness of critical water issues and improving the quality of life for all Californians.

Treviño served 10 years on the Central Basin MWD Board, starting in 1994, and represented the district on the Metropolitan Water District Board. He prioritized outreach to city council members, chambers of commerce, and other community leaders, promoting water conservation and recycled water use. Treviño worked to balance Central Basin’s budget without raising fees or taxes and ensured imported water remained affordable.

Professional and community activities:

Throughout his career, Treviño has emphasized the importance of educating young people from all cultural and social backgrounds. His passion for education inspired him to earn a teaching credential from UCLA, as well as a master’s degree in School Management and an Administrative Credential from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.

Following his service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Treviño utilized the GI Bill to further his education. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Los Angeles.

He currently resides in South Pasadena with his wife, Carmen.