November 1, 2012

The San Patricio Municipal Water District Board of Directors has named Brian G. Williams, P.E., as the district’s general manager.

Williams, who has been assistant general manager since January, replaces Jim Naismith who is retiring after 23 years in the position.  Don Roach will continue as assistant general manager, a position he has held since 1994, with an emphasis on planning and contracts.

“Jim Naismith has spent a career serving the Water District’s customers and his leadership has clearly been invaluable to the District and to the Coastal Bend region,” Williams said.  “Our entire staff has been focused for some time on making this a seamless transition.”

Williams said he sees major challenges ahead for the District as it is impacted by very significant economic and water demand changes associated with energy production from the nearby Eagle Ford Shale play and new industrial development along the deepwater La Quinta Ship Channel.

“It is a unique challenge but I feel very comfortable facing it because we are lead by a strong board of directors and I am surrounded by a seasoned professional staff built by Mr. Naismith during his tenure at the District,” Williams said.     

Williams is only the fourth person to serve as general manager in the 62 year history of the Water District. Wilbur A.Edward managed the District from 1951 until 1974. He was followed by W. D. "Buddy" Miller and then in 1989 by Jim Naismith.     

Williams had spent 25 years in public works engineering and management before joining the District.  He came to San Patricio County from the City of Garland where he spent 11 years as the head of the city’s wastewater treatment department and seven years as director of the solid waste division.  In those roles he was responsible for large capital improvement programs and expansion projects.

Prior to his long tenure in Garland he spent six years as manager of engineering and environmental affairs for the City of Weatherford.  Early in his career he worked in technical sales and engineering for Lone Star Steel, a steel casing and pipe manufacturer.

Williams grew up in Fort Worth and earned a degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University in 1981.  He later earned a masters degree at A&M in public works engineering and management.  He is a registered professional engineer and past president of the Texas Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies.  He holds state operators licenses for water and wastewater.