CALABASAS : Engineer Picked for Top Post at Water District

James E. Colbaugh has been named general manager of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, where he is expected to bring a more outgoing and meticulous style to the job than did his predecessor.

Colbaugh, 47, an engineer, was picked to head operations at the district earlier this month. He takes over as the district attempts to balance the cost of its progressive conservation efforts with a slowdown in fees from new development.

That will require keeping the board of directors informed of possible cost-cutting measures as well as explaining new projects to customers.

“I think our customers want us to build facilities that are not ugly and they like the idea of reusing the water and solid waste,” Colbaugh said. “But it’s important to let them know what we’re doing and why.”

Colbaugh will also have to balance watching every penny with his theory that managers should step back and let their staffs make decisions whenever possible.

“I hope I’m not micromanaging and worrying about every paper clip that gets used,” Colbaugh said. “But I hope our management is worrying about paper clips.”

For the 17-year district veteran in unscuffed keltie loafers, the plan is to lead by example.

“I guess I am very organized in my personal life,” he said, chuckling. “The dollars in my wallet are all in ascending order. I think things need to look right and be in the right place.”

Colbaugh served as the district’s director of planning and engineering before taking his current post. He lives in Westlake Village with his wife, Andrea, a teacher at Camarillo High School, and relaxes by golfing and puttering in his garden.

He replaces Charles McClain, whose contract was terminated after two years in March by a board seeking a different management style.

McClain conceded that he is not “externally oriented.” He left the district on good terms, said district spokeswoman Bobbe Wymer.

Colbaugh “gives people at the district a sense of security,” Wymer said. “They know there is going to be structure and an attention to detail.”