EXPERIENCED UTILITY PROFESSIONAL DUANE D. CAVE NAMED
PRESIDENT OF THE MOULTON NIGUEL WATER DISTRICT

Board of Directors of the Moulton Niguel Water District is pleased to announce the selection of experienced utility professional and longtime Vice-President Duane D. Cave as its Board President in a unanimous vote at its January 2023 Board meeting. At the same meeting, the Moulton Niguel Board of Directors unanimously elected Brian S. Probolsky and Diane Rifkin as Vice Presidents of the Board. 

“For the past four decades, Duane Cave has helped public utilities across Southern California deliver exceptional service to customers,” said outgoing Board President Probolsky, who will continue to serve as a member of the agency’s executive leadership team.

Mr. Cave brings to the position more than four decades of experience helping public utilities identify ways to better serve their customers and strengthen their relationships with the community.

“It’s an honor to be selected by my colleagues as Board President,” said Cave, who has served on the publicly-elected Board of Directors since 2014. “The Board of Directors is unwavering in our commitment to customers: Moulton Niguel will continue to provide safe and reliable water service – while always planning for the future with responsible, fiscally prudent, ongoing investments in our water, wastewater and recycled water infrastructure.”

Outgoing Board President Brian Probolsky Praised for an Award-Winning Record of Success

Cave takes over the top leadership post from Probolsky, who has presided over a four-year period of award-winning success and remarkable achievements for the public utility. In addition to successfully leading the water agency through the COVID-19 pandemic, Probolsky oversaw the agency’s launch of its Leak Alert program, full-scale smart meter system integration, the $8.3 million Oso Parkway micro-tunnel pipeline replacement in Mission Viejo, and its AAA-credit ratings from Fitch Ratings and S&P Global.

“Brian Probolsky has guided our agency to unparalleled success during one of the most challenging times in our agency’s history,” said Joone Kim-Lopez, Moulton Niguel’s General Manager.

During his tenure as Board President, Moulton Niguel received numerous awards and honors, including the #1 Top Workplace in Orange County from the OC Register, Technology Innovation Award from Government Technology, and Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.

New Vice-President Diane Rifkin Continues as City Liaison to Laguna Niguel

Moulton Niguel welcomes a fresh face to its executive leadership team with the selection of Diane Rifkin as Vice-President. The 35-year resident of Laguna Niguel brings her detail-oriented approach and straightforward counsel from more than 30 years of experience in the legal, attorney-recruiting, and public relations sectors.

Rifkin was appointed unanimously by her colleagues to a vacant seat on the Board of Directors in 2021, begins her second term following the November 2022 election, in which she received the highest number of votes for the at-large position. In addition to serving as Vice-President, Rifkin will continue her service on the District’s Administrative Committee, as City Liaison to Laguna Niguel, and on the Ad Hoc Committee on Desalination.

“President Duane Cave –with the assistance and support of our new Vice-President Diane Rifkin – will deliver on our Board’s promise to always put customers first,” said Probolsky.  

Moulton Niguel Water District provides high-quality drinking water, recycled water and wastewater treatment services to customers in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point. A leader in environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average bill in South Orange County.

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