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Brian Thomas

Assistant GM/CFO

Brian Thomas is the Assistant General Manager/Chief Financial Officer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the country's largest purveyor of treated drinking water. He is responsible for all of Metropolitan’s financial programs, including financial planning, investments, debt management, operating and capital budgets, and accounting operations and reporting. He is also responsible for developing and implementing Metropolitan’s water rates and charges. Thomas has participated in a wide range of water policy discussions and negotiations, ranging from the Colorado River to water markets and local conjunctive-use programs. Since his appointment in 2000, Metropolitan has issued over $5.1 billion of debt, including fixed rate debt, Build America Bonds, variable rate bonds, and SIFMA Index Tender Bonds. In addition, during Thomas' tenure, Metropolitan implemented its interest rate swap program, with $1.5 billion of swaps outstanding. Working with the General Manager and the executive team, Thomas manages a $1.8 billion annual budget. Most recently, Thomas has been working with other major California water issuers on alternatives to traditional municipal standby bond purchase agreements as credit support for variable rate debt.Thomas has worked in the power and water business for over 25 years, including experience at the cities of Anaheim and Riverside Public Utilities. He has Bachelors of Science degrees in Biology and Economics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Riverside.Thomas has lectured in economics and environmental science and policy at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; and California State University, Long Beach. Thomas authored and co-authored numerous articles on water and power planning and finance, and is a frequently requested speaker at professional conferences.