Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority names new CEO

The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) Board of Directors has named Darrell Nichols general manager/CEO, effective immediately. Nichols is now the seventh general manager/CEO in GBRA history.

“I am honored and grateful to the board for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization,” said Nichols. “I look forward to working closely with our talented and dedicated team as we continue to grow and move GBRA into the future.”

Nichols previously served as GBRA’s senior deputy general manager, where he oversaw policy development and implementation as well as daily operational and administrative activities for the authority’s 29 operating divisions. Since joining GBRA in June 2016, Nichols has directed more than $300 million in capital improvement projects while managing project development, financing, construction activities, scientific data collection and dissemination, hydrologic and environmental analysis and water supply planning.

“Darrell Nichols has proven himself to be a strong leader whose experience in public utility policy, planning and implementation will be invaluable to GBRA,” said Board Chairman Dennis Patillo. “On behalf of the board, we look forward to his leadership and expertise as we work to address the critical water and wastewater needs throughout the Guadalupe River basin.”

Prior to joining GBRA, Nichols served as assistant executive administrator and director of regional water planning and development for the Texas Water Development Board. His previous experience also includes work as a utility regulation consultant and employment with the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).