Turlock water & power utility quickly appoints new general manager from within. Here’s who
Brad Koehn was named general manager of the Turlock Irrigation District, just days after the current one announced her impending departure.
Koehn has worked since 2011 at TID, which provides water and electricity in parts of Stanislaus and Merced counties. He has been chief operating officer since 2020 and was appointed to the top post by the board Tuesday, June 4.
Koehn will succeed Michelle Reimers, who announced May 31 that she is resigning as of June 21 after four years as GM. His annual salary has not yet been negotiated with the board.
“Brad is a proven leader who brings a deep understanding of all TID operations,” Board President Ron Macedo said in a news release. “His experience as the chief operating officer, and the different leadership positions he has held in both the water and power administrations, makes him uniquely situated to step into the general manager role and ensure a seamless transition.”
TID supplies Tuolumne River water to about 149,000 farmland acres and to a new treatment plant for residents of Turlock and Ceres. It has about 240,000 power customers in a stretch from La Grange to the Patterson area.
Koehn joined TID as civil engineering manager after 16 years as a private engineer. In 2018, he became assistant general manager for power supply.
Work on water and power projects
Koehn has helped build small reservoirs near Keyes and Hilmar that reduce water waste along canals. He worked on upgrades that extended the life of the hydroelectric plant at Don Pedro Reservoir. And he has been involved with the Western Energy Imbalance Market, where utilities in several states seek low-priced electricity on short notice.
“TID has made significant advancements, and Brad has been instrumental in moving these initiatives forward,” Reimers said. “I am excited to see what he will advance under his direct leadership.”
Koehn also is on the board of the Turlock Rural Fire Protection District.
“I look forward to guiding TID’s dedicated and skilled workforce,” he said, “and together furthering the progress the district has made and continuing to meet our mission of providing reliable and affordable water and power for our community.”
