James Lee is the General Manager of the Crescenta Valley Water District, a public utility providing water and wastewater services. James is responsible for developing and implementing the District’s strategic plan goals that serve the community and region while maintaining a best-in-class workplace culture. His professional purpose is to promote efficient and effective government by operationalizing innovation with vision, strategy, and sound policy.

Previously, Mr. Lee served water and wastewater agencies through public finance on both the investment banking and financial advisory sides. He also served agencies with utility rate studies, budget 

modeling, and organizational development.

James holds an undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College in economics and holds a graduate degree in public policy from USC’s Price School of Public Policy. He serves in leadership for the Public Water Agencies Group, the California Data Collaborative, and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce