[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT CHAIRMAN RYAN GALLAGHER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. YOUNG KIM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2026

  Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ryan Gallagher for completing 
his tenure as Chairman of the Orange County Sanitation District Board 
of Directors, having served from July 2024 through June 2026.
  In his various positions, Chairman Gallagher has provided nearly six 
years of continuous leadership and vision to the OC San Board of 
Directors, Administration Committee, Steering Committee, Operations 
Committee, Groundwater Replenishment System Steering Committee, General 
Manager Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee, General Legal Services Ad Hoc 
Committee, and OC San/Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority Joint 
Policy Committee.
  Tustin City Councilmember Ryan Gallagher was born and raised in 
Southern California and holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering 
from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He is a licensed Civil Engineer in the 
State of California and was elected to the Tustin City Council in 2020.
  Mr. Gallagher was elected to serve as Chairman of the OC San Board in 
2024 and serves as a member of the Water Advisory Committee of Orange 
County and Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee. Prior to joining 
the City Council, Ryan proudly served on the Tustin Planning Commission 
and as past Board President of Orange County Water Association, as well 
as in past Board President roles for local chapters of the Association 
of Water Agencies, American Public Works Association, and American 
Society of Civil Engjneers.
  Ryan is the Chief Operations Officer of MKN, a water and wastewater 
consulting firm. He previously served as a Vice President of a 
nationwide engineering firm and Associate Vice President of a Fortune 
500 global engineering firm. In his role, he works with local 
municipalities to plan and design clean water infrastructure for the 
delivery of safe and reliable drinking water to communities throughout 
Southern California, which earned him recognition as one of the top 20 
engineers in the country under 40 by Engineering News-Record in 2019.
  During his tenure as Board Chairman from July 2024 through June 2026, 
Chairman Gallagher compiled a remarkable record of accomplishment. He 
championed the rollout of the Resource Innovation for a Sustainable 
Environment program--known as RISE--a forward-looking initiative 
focused on water, energy, solids, and air that positions OC San to meet 
future environmental and operational challenges. He oversaw continued 
fiscal strength, including maintaining OC San's AAA credit ratings from 
all three major agencies for the 15th consecutive year, reinforcing 
affordability and responsible rate management.
  Chairman Gallagher directed Board efforts on the 2025 Strategic Plan 
update, including the addition of a new policy focus on potable water 
salinity control and continued emphasis on environmental stewardship 
and fiscal discipline. He supported the launch of OC San's redesigned 
website, improving accessibility, transparency, and ease of use for 
customers and stakeholders, and oversaw increased public engagement 
efforts--including community events, tours, and educational programs 
reaching thousands of residents and students across the service area.
  He also supported initiatives that strengthened workplace culture, 
including a highly successful employee engagement survey with strong 
participation and positive feedback on meaningful work and growth 
opportunities. And throughout his chairmanship, he reinforced OC San's 
leadership in regulatory compliance and environmental protection 
through programs like the Pretreatment Honor Roll and longstanding 
ocean monitoring efforts that protect coastal water quality.
  I want to thank Chairman Gallagher for his exemplary service and 
dedication to OC San and the communities we serve and wish him all the 
best in the years ahead.

                          ____________________