Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District Board Appoints New General Manager with Help from TS Talent Solutions

By unanimous vote of the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD) Board, Michiko Mares has been appointed to serve as the next General Manager. 

HBMWD supplies drinking water to seven public agencies, who in turn, serve their residents, businesses and industries. When General Manager John Friedenbach announced his retirement after 12 years with the district, the Board sought out a partner to find a well-qualified replacement to fill his shoes. Following a competitive request for proposal process, the Board selected Tripepi Smith Talent Solutions (TSTS) as its recruiting partner as a result of the team’s relevant experience in Humboldt County, work in special districts and demonstrated level of personal investment in their recruitment processes. 

“Deciding on a recruitment firm was not easy, but TSTS offered a dynamic team and well-rounded experience that compelled us to select them.” said Board President Michelle Fuller. “We really wanted a firm that understood the unique challenges of a water district, had connections in Humboldt County and would be a great partner for us in this process. TSTS checked all the boxes, and we’re thrilled with the outcome of our decision to work with them.”

Executive Recruiter Christine Martin led the process with support from Recruitment Coordinator Kylie Sun and Assistant Recruitment Coordinator Sydney Fitch. To kick-off the process, TS Talent Solutions distributed an online questionnaire to the Board and conducted one-on-one meetings with each member to identify the key qualities and qualifications of their ideal candidate. This information was then used to develop a candidate profile, which served as the foundation for marketing materials and screening interviews. 

To advertise the opportunity, the TSTS team drafted, designed and distributed a digital recruitment brochure. Designed by Graphic Designer Alexis Mendez, the brochure highlighted the culture of HBMWD, painted a picture of all the wonderful things about living and working in Humboldt County and provided a high-level overview of the General Manager position. The brochure was posted to a variety of job boards, including American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). The TSTS team also launched a social media campaign and reached out directly to prospective candidates, encouraging their consideration in the position.

“Working with the Board on this important process was an absolute pleasure,” said Christine. “Their collaboration and clear vision were invaluable in shaping our approach to finding the right candidate. Michiko’s impressive background and passion for serving Humboldt County made her the perfect fit, and we are confident she will lead HBMWD into a bright future.”

Throughout the multi-week process, the TSTS team collected applications, vetted candidates based on experience and qualities the Board was looking for and later presented candidates for consideration. After a series of interviews, the Board extended an offer to Mares. 

With a background in civil engineering, utilities and construction, Michiko Mares brings a diverse set of skills to the HBMWD team. As an alumni of Humboldt State University now Cal Poly Humboldt, Mares is well-versed in community dynamics and values. “I am so excited that I have the opportunity to make a real difference in the community I love so much,” said Mares. “I appreciated Christine’s attentiveness to this process. Her professionalism and genuine dedication to understanding my career goals made all the difference. I look forward to this next chapter in my career!”