Richard Holmes

Deputy General Manager - Acting
Engineering / Operations

Richard Holmes is the deputy general manager of engineering and operations for the Southern Nevada Water Authority. He oversees several Water Authority departments including Engineering, Environmental Resources, Groundwater Resources, Surface Water Resources as well as the community's primary drinking-water treatment and transmission network, the Southern Nevada Water System.

Prior to joining the Water Authority, Holmes was vice-president of community development for Focus Property Group. He also served as assistant county manager for Clark County, Nev. where he was responsible for planning and development services.

In addition to receiving Bachelor of Science degrees in both economics and civil engineering, Holmes also earned a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Arizona. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and also has served as president of the National Association of County Planning Directors and the National Association of County Administrators.

Holmes currently serves on a water utilities climate change risk assessment working group with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He was previously chairman of the State Advisory Board on Water Resources Planning and Development and a former member of the Desert Research Institute's advisory committee on water resources research.