President of DWP board steps down
The president of the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners resigned Friday, a move interpreted at City Hall as his first step toward securing the top executive job at the $4.2-billion municipal utility -- the nation’s largest.
H. David Nahai, an attorney who lives in Benedict Canyon, submitted his resignation to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Within hours, two sources close to Villaraigosa described Nahai as the mayor’s top pick to replace DWP General Manager Ron Deaton, who has been on medical leave since July.
Asked whether he wants the top job, Nahai said: “I can’t talk about it. Right now he’s the general manager, and as long as he’s general manager, that position is taken.”
Deaton, who earns nearly $345,000 a year, went on leave after suffering a heart arrhythmia during a trip abroad.
Deaton has been absent during a crucial time, with the agency coming under fire from City Council members after the recent heat wave-caused power disruptions. Earlier this week, the agency agreed to pursue rate increases: 9% over two years for electricity and roughly 6% over two years for water.
DWP Commissioner Nick Patsaouras said that even before Deaton became ill, the executive had planned to retire in January, once the rate hikes had been approved. Patsaouras said Deaton’s contract is up next month.
Nahai, 54, was born in Tehran and raised in England. A DWP board member since 2005, he also serves on the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Before Deaton’s illness, Nahai had voiced interest in the top DWP post.
Deaton could not be reached, and Villaraigosa spokeswoman Janelle Erickson had no comment.
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