Tony Willardson was named as Executive Director of the Western States Water Council in July 2009, and has served the Council in various capacities since 1979.  Created by western governors in 1965, the Council is a government entity whose members are appointed by and advise their governors on water policy. He graduated of the University of Utah (1983) and Brigham Young University (1979), with a BA in political science (with minors in economics and business management), and a MS in public administration (with an emphasis in natural resources policy).  He is a member of the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration (Pi Alpha Alpha) and has been recognized by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) with the Mary H. Marsh Medal for Exemplary Contributions to the Protection and Wise Use of the Nation’s Water Resources.

Mr. Willardson has presented expert testimony on behalf of the Council at numerous Congressional hearings.  He serves as Co-Chair of the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Executive Council, and is a former Vice-Chair of the Internet of Water Coalition.  He formerly served as the WSWC alternate to the federal Advisory Committee on Water Information, is a past member of the Landsat Advisory Group of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Ad Hoc Group on Indian Water Rights Settlements.  He is also serving as part of the Western Policy Network, Western Regional Partnership, and as liaison with numerous interstate and federal agencies, and the Council’s principal contact with the Western States Federal Agency Support Team (WestFAST).

He oversees development and maintenance of the Council’s Water Data Exchange (WaDE) enabling States to share water-related data with each other, federal agencies and the public in a more streamlined and cost-effective way.  WaDE water rights data is served via a Western States Data Access and Analysis Tool (WestDAAT), which will soon add available site-specific time series data from western states on water use and water supply.

Mr. Willardson has authored, co-authored or served as a contributing editor for numerous publications on a wide range of water issues, such as water needs and strategies for a sustainable future, drought, groundwater management and protection, groundwater recharge, precipitation forecasting, remote sensing, state water plans, water conservation, water information management, water transfers, and western water resources development and financing.  Further, he oversees publication of the Council’s weekly newsletter, Western States Water.