Tom Birmingham image via Westlands Water District Facebook video screen grab

After more than two decades with the country’s largest water district, the organization’s top executive has announced his retirement.

As of Dec. 31, General Manager Tom Birmingham of Westlands Water District will step down from the position.

“It has been my great honor to have been part of a dedicated team of District employees for more than 22 years. I am retiring with extreme pride in the things Westlands has accomplished over the last two decades,” Birmingham said in a news release.

With the announcement, Birmingham spoke of the land retirement programs, habitat restoration efforts, water conservation programs and more that were implemented during his tenure.

“None of these things were accomplished by me. Rather, I was part of a team of talented staff working under the leadership and direction of an engaged, thoughtful Board of Directors,” Birmingham said.

Also under Birmingham’s tenure was the implementation of pumping rules outlined by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Another milestone was the repayment of debt to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for construction of the Central Valley Project, which allowed for water allocations to land purchases greater than 900 acres.

This month, new elections were held by landowners within the district that spans 1,000 square miles of farmland in Fresno and Kings counties for new board members. Incumbents in all four seats of the board up for election were ousted.

New members are Justin Diener, Ernie Costamagna, Jeremy Hughes and Donald Ross Franson III. Results of the election will be certified Nov. 28 according to the Westlands website.

The group was seen as a “change coalition” that sought more “more innovative, collaborative solutions to strengthen the district’s regional water sources,” reported sjvwater.org.

As such, they sought new leadership for the District — a departure from Birmingham’s focus on water export conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, according to sjvwater.org.

Birmingham began his career with Westlands in 1986 as outside counsel before becoming general manager in 2000.

A Westlands news release said the District anticipates the board of directors to appoint an interim general manager while they search for a replacement.