Arden Wallum Retires as MSWD General Manager

Arden Wallum said in his list of accomplishments, ‘We have seen the best of times and the worst of times.’

DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Arden Wallum who has led Mission Springs Water District for more than 18 years as General Manager is retiring.

Wallum submitted his letter of resignation to the board on June 19. His resignation takes effect on Aug. 8.

Wallum is married and has three children, Emily, Michael and Alison. His wife Tina, recently retired from Eisenhower Medical Center. You may read his full biography here. You may also read his list of accomplishments here.

“I want to be very clear; the board has not pushed out General Manager Wallum,” MSWD Board President Russ Martin told Uken Report in a statement. “At age 74 and over 35 years of public service, Arden has chosen to retire. For the past 18 years, he has provided exceptional service to our District and the customers we serve. Throughout his tenure, he has exhibited unwavering dedication, exemplary leadership, and a commitment to Desert Hot Springs and our region. His passion for our mission and his ability to inspire others have shaped the very fabric of our organization. I would like to express my sincerest thanks for his dedication, and I wish Arden and his wife Tina a joyful retirement filled with relaxation and happiness as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”

The board of directors unanimously voted to appoint Assistant General Manager Brian Macy as Interim General Manager for a six-month term beginning Aug. 8. The board’s legal counsel was advised to prepare a contract for consideration at the July meeting.

Macy, who joined the District in 2019, is a Civil Engineer with more than 30 years of water industry/engineering experience. Most notably, he served as the General Manager of Indio Water Authority from September 2013 through November 2018.

Mission Springs Water District’s mission is to provide, protect, and preserve its most valuable resource – water. MSW serves its award-winning water to customers in Desert Hot Springs, California, and surrounding areas.