Craig Elitharp retired from the Rancho California Water District in June of 2014 with over 24 years of experience there in the roles of Civil Engineer, Operations Manager, and Director of Operations and Maintenance.  Particular areas of expertise include water and wastewater facilities planning, design and construction; water/wastewater utilities operations and maintenance; energy management; and water rights. 

Mr. Elitharp served as one of two VWD-appointed representatives to the Encina Wastewater Authority Board of Directors from 2014 to 2018.  He is currently the VWD-appointed representative to the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors.  He also served on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) from 2018 to 2024. 

Mr. Elitharp has 6 years prior experience as a Civil Engineer with the U.S. Forest Service on national forests in Arkansas and Virginia and 4 years as a Civil Engineer in water and wastewater utilities with the U.S. Navy Public Works Center in San Diego.   

Mr. Elitharp is a 1979 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry at Syracuse University, where he obtained a BS in Forest Engineering.  He is a Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California and holds California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water certifications as a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator and Grade 3 Water Treatment Operator. 

Mr. Elitharp has resided in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of San Marcos since 1988 with his wife Diana.  They have 3 daughters and 3 grandchildren. 

Email Director Elitharp (celitharp@cox.net)