Roberto Cortez
Manager of Water Operations
Manager of Water Operations Roberto Cortez oversees a team of 350 employees across six counties to ensure EBMUD delivers high-quality water to its customers from source to tap.
Roberto brings more than two decades of experience to his position, including a collaborative role in the construction, testing and operation of the Folsom South Canal Connection – part of the Freeport Regional Water Project – that improved EBMUD's system reliability and operational flexibility during droughts and catastrophic events. He takes pride in the public’s trust to manage our precious water resources.
"I am fortunate to have worked in many different areas of EBMUD and have gained a breadth of knowledge of the system from the source to delivery," he says.
Over the course of his EBMUD career, Roberto concurrently earned a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He attributes his success to his commitment to learning, adaptability, and passion for the District's mission.
Roberto thrives on collaboration with colleagues throughout the organization who "are smart, talented, dedicated and really care about the work itself as well as the results." He finds immense satisfaction in solving complex challenges that come with delivering high-quality water. His leadership approach prioritizes respect, accountability and open communication at all levels.
Roberto immigrated to the United States from El Salvador at the age of seven. His personal journey inspires his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and his belief in the power of opportunity. He champions initiatives to make EBMUD's hiring processes more accessible and collaborates to improve opportunities for small, diverse vendors.