Meet Antonio

I have lived in Contra Costa County most of my life. I grew up in Richmond and graduated from Richmond High School. While working I paid my way through community colleges and finally attended the University of San Francisco where I received a BS degree in Organizational Behavior and Leadership. I am married, have one daughter working in the health-care industry, and three grandchildren.

In 1990, I started my career in public service with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) as a Utility Laborer. I completed their Water Distribution Plumber training program and climbed the promotional ladder. I retired in 2022 as the Manager of Distribution Maintenance and Construction. I was responsible for the potable distribution system for twenty-eight major Bay Area cities within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. I managed a staff of over 220 employees dedicated to meeting stringent State regulations around worker safety, water loss, and system maintenance. I was responsible for maintenance and construction activities on the District's potable water system as well as the management of equipment, operating/capital budgets, the District’s Water Distribution Plumber Training program, and a diverse workforce dedicated to ensuring people have access to high quality water.

I have experience in managing resources through disasters. I am well versed in the incident command structure instituted at the state and federal level known as National Incident Management System -NIMS/State Incident Management System-SIMS. I worked during the Oakland fire and led response teams to the Napa earthquake and Paradise fire.

I am a strong supporter of labor unions. I have held leadership roles in AFCSME Local 444 and IFPTE Local 21 ranging from Shop Steward to President of both unions. In these capacities, I have 20 years of experience negotiating labor contracts, resolving grievances, and participating in arbitrations.

Currently, I am the Contra Costa Water District Board Vice President representing Division 4 (Cities of Antioch and Pittsburgh). I am a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). I have attended conferences around the country where I have provided leadership training and presentations on testing new pipe materials for water distribution systems. I am a member of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). I was recently appointed as Director to ACWA’s Region 5 Board representing water agencies on the west coast from Santa Barbara to the Bay Area and I am a member of ACWA’s Energy Committee. I am a Director of the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) representing the Bay Area Network. Lastly, I am a Director for the Los Vaqueros Joint Powers Authority representing Contra Costa Water District.