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Outstanding Alumni - 2005

William Jacoby

Bemidji State University Graduate 1970 & 1974

An enrolled member of the Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Indian Reservation, Mr. Jacoby grew up in Detroit Lakes, MN.  He attended Bemidji State College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history in 1970.  He then served two years in Vietnam and the Pacific with the US Navy, returning to BSU in 1973 and earning a Master of Science degree in education in 1974.  After completing his Masters, Mr. Jacoby took a job with the City of San Diego.  During the next 13 years he worked in employment development services for low-income youth, administered funding and programs for disadvantaged communities and seniors citizens and became involved in the design and development of water conservation programs.  In 1988, Mr. Jacoby became the Water Resources Manager for the San Diego County Water Authority.  In this position he managed regional water conservation and recycling programs for nearly 3 million residents.  He has become an expert in water conservation and recycling and has spent the greater portion of his career as a local, state and federal leader relating to water conservation and the development of water efficiency standards.  He is a well known expert in this field and has been a strong advocate and public speaker on the topic of water conservation. Additionally, Mr. Jacoby was recently named Director of Public Affairs for the Water Authority and now manages its legislative activities in both Sacramento and Washington. In recognition of his contributions to this important area of water conservation, Mr. Jacoby received the 2000 Excellence Award for Statewide / Institutional Innovations from the California Urban Water Conservation Council and the 2001 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award.  Mr. Jacoby is a member of several professional associations and organizations.  He has also served on several non-profit boards focused on the improvement of environmental quality.  He is a member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in San Diego and has been involved in a number of youth programs, including coaching little league baseball and coordinating recycling programs for the Cub Scouts.  Mr. Jacoby resides in San Diego, CA with his wife, Lupe. Their son, John, is attending college.