Chris Olsen, P.E.
Executive Director of Engineering and Water Resources
Chris Olsen is the Executive Director of Engineering and Water Resources for the Orange County Water District (OCWD; District). His responsibilities include long-term strategic planning, preparing long-term financial projections and capital improvement programs, directing, managing, and overseeing the activities and operations of the Engineering Department.
Chris is also acting liaison with the 19 local cities and retail water districts served by OCWD, developing and administering groundwater basin management programs, developing and implementing capital projects, establishing District water rates for groundwater pumping and annual pumping amounts, and purchasing imported water to recharge the groundwater basin.
Chris has over 28 years of experience in the engineering industry and has worked for the Orange County Water District since 2006. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Riverside. He is also a registered Professional Civil Engineer in the state of California.