RSM Resident Justin McCusker Appointed to SMWD Board of Directors

Rancho Santa Margarita resident Justin McCusker was appointed by the SMWD Board today to fill the vacant seat on its Board of Directors.  The seat was vacated by Roger Faubel, who served 12 years on the Board. McCusker’s term will expire in December 2014.

Director Saundra F. Jacobs, President of the Board, administered the Oath of Office to McCusker following the Board’s unanimous vote to appoint McCusker during its regularly scheduled Board meeting.  

McCusker brings to the SMWD Board of Directors a diverse background as an executive in business, government and in education as a college professor.  He has extensive experience working with local and regional water agencies in his role as Chairman of the Orange County Parks Commission and member of the Board of Directors of the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

McCusker is Director of Community and Government Relations for C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, one of the largest commercial, retail and residential property owners in Southern California.  He is on faculty at California State University in Fullerton as an Adjunct Professor of Public Administration and at Saddleback College as an Associate Professor of Political Science.  In addition, McCusker serves on a variety of local and regional organizations including the Orange County Taxpayers Association, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, South Coast Metro Alliance, City of Costa Mesa Economic Development Commission, California Business Properties Association, California Business Roundtable and Orange County Public Affairs Association.

A resident of Rancho Santa Margarita where he resides with his wife and three children, McCusker received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Western Michigan University and a master’s of Public Administration from California State University in Fullerton.  He is a third year doctoral student at the University of Southern California studying Policy, Planning and Development. 

At the May 1, 2013 Special Meeting, the Board decided to proceed with a process to fill the vacant board seat by appointment pursuant to Government Code §1780.   At the board meeting on May 10, the Board acted to post the Notice of Vacancy where interested candidates were asked to submit a letter of interest and resume by June 3.  Twelve applications were received by the deadline.   Candidates each addressed the Board during the board meeting held June 14.  The Board then selected three final candidates who returned to the June 21 Board meeting for further open discussion with the Board.