STEPHEN D. FOULKES, PhD

Steve grew up in Big Bear and over the years has served in numerous positions related to management of the valley’s water resources. From 1975 through 1985 Steve was General Manager of the Big Bear Municipal Water District (MWD). During this period the MWD settled the water rights litigation that had been going on for 13 years with Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, purchased the Dam and lake bottom lands, and began the “in-lieu” water program that has allowed the level of Big Bear Lake to be stabilized. From 1985 through 1987 Steve was a water resources and management consultant and worked on groundwater contamination problems in the San Bernardino Basin. During this period Steve also assisted the MWD with the earthquake rehabilitation of Big Bear Dam.

In 1988 Steve was asked by the Big Bear Lake City Council to help evaluate whether the City should complete the purchase of the local water system from Southern California Water Company. Steve, along with several other community leaders, concluded that it was financially feasible and recommended that the City take over the system. Later that year he was appointed as one of the original 5 members of the DWP Board and served for 6 years until he was elected to the Big Bear Lake City Council in 1994. During his term on the Council Steve served two years on the board of the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency (BBARWA).

Most recently Steve decided to pursue his lifelong interest in physics and in June 2006 received his PhD in Experimental Particle Physics from the University of California at Riverside. Since completing his degree, Steve has been dividing his time between continuing his physics interests and his duties as Vice President of RCK Properties, Inc.

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