The New Year is bringing a new president to the Westlands Water Distict’s board of directors.

That board unanimously elected Daniel Errotabere as the new president, though he’s not exactly new, having served previously in that role from 2002-2005.

Starting Jan. 1, he will replace the district’s current president, Don Peracchi, who previously announced he would step down at the end of the year for undisclosed reasons.

Peracchi, a member of the board since 2008, was elected president in 2011. District officials state in a press release that he will remain on the board.

Westlands is the largest agricultural water district in the nation, providing surface water to 700 family-owned farms over a 1,000-square-mile area in western Fresno and Kings counties.

“It has been an honor to serve as Westland’s president, and I am proud of the district’s accomplishments over the last several years,” Peracchi said in the press release. “The District has a well-functioning Board supported by competent, dedicated staff. I believe it’s time to provide another director with the opportunity to serve as president of the district.”

Tom Birmingham, the district’s general manager, said in the same release, “On behalf of the staff, I want to express our appreciation to Mr. Peracchi. Few people understand the time commitment required to serve as Westland’s president; it is a full-time job. Mr. Peracchi led the district through difficult times, when drought and regulatory restrictions severely reduced water supply, but because of his leadership on the board, the district is in a good position.”

“Don Peracchi leaves big shoes to fill. He did an incredible job of leading the district through difficult times. I am gratified that the board has confidence in my ability to continue the course set by Don and the board,” Errotabere added