Silicon Valley Water CEO Resigns Amid Misconduct Probe

Rick Callender steps down after more than a year-long investigation, with Valley Water paying him for a year as a 'special advisor'.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The CEO of Santa Clara County's largest water supplier, Valley Water, is resigning effective March 1 after a more than year-long investigation into misconduct allegations by an employee. The board of directors voted 6-1 to retain Callender as a 'special advisor' for a year, with his current salary and benefits, and to reimburse him $65,000 in attorney fees. Officials have not disclosed the nature of the employee misconduct complaint.

Why it matters

The prolonged investigation and Callender's continued paid leave have been a source of frustration for Valley Water's 850 employees, with the union representing workers urging more transparency. The secrecy around the probe and the unusual agreement to keep Callender on as an advisor have drawn criticism from the public and one dissenting board member.

The details

Valley Water CEO Rick Callender is resigning effective March 1 after more than a year-long investigation into misconduct allegations by an employee, which one board director has said involves sexual harassment. The board voted 6-1 to retain Callender as a 'special advisor' to the board, with his current salary and benefits for a year. Valley Water will also reimburse Callender $65,000 in attorney fees. Callender will still have access to his Valley Water email address, but is barred from contacting staff or accessing the agency's facilities without prior approval.

  • Callender went on leave in December 2024, four days after the Valley Water Employees Association publicly demanded an unnamed executive be placed on administrative leave over an employee's misconduct complaint.
  • In November, Director Richard Santos said portions of the investigation were ongoing, but he and other directors had started to see the findings.
  • Callender was originally supposed to return to work between late March and early April last year, but the board voted last March to extend Callender's paid leave indefinitely.
  • Callender became the first Black man to lead the agency in May 2020.

The players

Rick Callender

The former CEO of Valley Water, Santa Clara County's largest water supplier, who is resigning amid a misconduct investigation.

Valley Water

The largest water supplier in Santa Clara County, California.

Rebecca Eisenberg

A Valley Water board director who dissented in the 6-1 vote to retain Callender as a 'special advisor' for a year.

Tony Estremera

The chair of the Valley Water board of directors.

Melanie Richardson

The interim CEO of Valley Water who will be considered for a one-year extension to steer the agency through its leadership vacuum.

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What they’re saying

“This is an extremely non-standard agreement and extraordinarily biased towards an executive who has been determined, after multiple investigations done by the employer, to have engaged in serious misconduct, both in terms of sexual harassment as well as unethical actions.”

— Rebecca Eisenberg, Valley Water Board Director (San José Spotlight)

“We are disappointed by that. Our members, and indeed all of Valley Water's employees, have the right to be free of harassment and to feel safe in their workplace. Allegations against the highest ranking person in the agency are extremely concerning, and lack of follow-up to those who made the allegations is extremely discouraging and we fear could cause employees who filed the complaints to choose not to come forward in the future. We urge Valley Water to provide more transparency regarding this issue, particularly given that it involves a substantial use of rate payer funds.”

— Salam Baqleh, Spokesperson, Valley Water Employees Association (San José Spotlight)

What’s next

The Valley Water board of directors will consider a one-year extension of interim CEO Melanie Richardson's agreement to steer the agency through its leadership vacuum.

The takeaway

The secrecy surrounding the misconduct investigation against the former Valley Water CEO and the unusual agreement to keep him on as a paid advisor have raised concerns about transparency and the use of ratepayer funds. This case highlights the need for public agencies to address allegations of misconduct swiftly and with full accountability to the community they serve.