From left to right, CalMutuals Executive Director Adan Ortega, Ken Bradbury, and CalMutuals President Lisa Yamashita-Lopez
On September 30, 2024, CalMutuals proudly awarded the prestigious Blanche Vizzini Award to Ken Bradbury, a founding board member and a respected water industry leader. It was not only an honor to present the award on behalf of our board and membership, but it also felt deeply personal as Ken and I share roots in the working-class community of Bassett, an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County. The moment was truly special because we both attended Bassett High School, graduating just a few years apart.
Bassett High, at the time, was struggling at the lower end of the state’s educational rankings, serving a diverse community where Hispanic and Black students made up the majority, while Whites were the minority. Despite these challenges, Ken stood out—not only for his height but for his unwavering determination and resilience. These traits would follow him throughout his distinguished career in water management.
I first met Ken in the mid-1990s when I worked at West and Central Basin Municipal Water Districts, which were jointly managed. By then, Ken had already earned a solid reputation as a knowledgeable General Manager, particularly recognized for his command of the Central Basin, his disciplined operations, and his fiscal acumen. His leadership in the Central Basin Water Association was noted by everyone, and even amid complex projects like the Central Basin Recycled Water Project or Metropolitan’s Diamond Valley Lake, Ken’s voice was one we all respected. He didn’t speak often, but when he did, we all knew we had to do our homework to address his sharp, insightful questions.
By 2013, we had the chance to collaborate again, and by then, Ken’s reputation had only grown stronger. He was known for standing firm in his responsibilities as General Manager of Montebello Land and Water Company, a position he had earned after starting from the ground up. After high school, Ken began his career digging trenches and laying pipes at an investor-owned utility, working his way up while gaining the certifications and expertise that led him to Montebello. His work ethic and integrity carried him to the role of General Manager, where he served for more than 30 years.
Ken’s legacy at Montebello Land and Water is one of discipline, dedication, and foresight. He prioritized the well-being of the water system, knowing that deferred maintenance would only lead to more costly breakdowns in the future. His fiscal prudence ensured that the company avoided rate shocks, providing stable water rates to the community for decades. Ken’s fairness extended to every aspect of his job, including billing, as demonstrated by his bold decision to cut off water service to a local Assemblymember who had fallen behind on payments. To Ken, the integrity of the water system and the responsibility of paying customers came first, no matter who they were.
Ken’s leadership extended to building a loyal workforce at Montebello Land and Water, where he cultivated a culture of excellence. He stayed up to date with industry wage standards, promoted training, and encouraged the advancement of employees who showed dedication and skill. His commitment to “playing it by the book” was key to Montebello Land and Water’s resilience and long-term success.
In 2013, Ken’s vision expanded when he and Montebello Land and Water joined 13 other mutual water companies to form CalMutuals, an organization that has grown from those founding members to over 600 today. His dedication of time, expertise, and resources was critical to this success, and he also co-founded the CalMutuals JPRIMA. Ken has always believed in the importance of small water systems keeping up with ever-evolving standards and regulations, but he also advocates for larger systems to support those struggling to meet these requirements, ensuring the entire sector stays strong and united.
Ken Bradbury’s career and leadership have made an invaluable impact on small water systems, on CalMutuals, and on everyone who has had the privilege of working with him. For me personally, our shared history in Bassett makes his achievements all the more inspiring. I look forward to many more “cigar nights,” filled with stories of Ken’s hunting trips, workshop projects, and our shared amazement at having “made it” in the water industry, coming from our humble beginnings.
On behalf of CalMutuals, our members, and the many friends and colleagues who admire Ken, we offer our heartfelt thanks and the deepest congratulations on receiving the Blanche Vizzini Award. It is a well-deserved recognition of a remarkable career and a lasting legacy.