Brian Biesemeyer, the leader of Scottsdale Water, is setting down his mantle after guiding the city department through notable advancements in water management. According to a statement from the City of Scottsdale, Biesemeyer's retirement, effective September 23, marks the end of a 12-year tenure as Executive Director and a storied career in water service leadership.
Under Biesemeyer's direction, Scottsdale Water gained acclaim for its progressive approaches to sustaining water resources, receiving certifications and awards for its efforts. His leadership was instrumental not only in helping Scottsdale cope with droughts but also in substantially increasing water quality. Biesemeyer is quoted as saying, "Leading and advancing Scottsdale Water's mission to provide simply better sustainable water services for a world-class community has been the pinnacle of my career," as reported by the city's official website.
Throughout his tenure, Biesemeyer has been recognized for his dedication to service and environmental stewardship, illustrated by Scottsdale Water's distinction as the inaugural awardee of the "Water Resources Utility of the Future Today" certification back in 2016. In 2019, the city obtained Arizona’s first permit for an advanced purified recycled water facility, highlighting Biesemeyer's commitment to pioneering water security solutions.
Renowned across Arizona for his work, Biesemeyer has left an indelible mark not just on municipal water services but also on statewide water organizations where he strived to preserve and enhance Arizona's water supply. A past president of WateReuse Arizona and a retiree from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, his service earned several accolades, including the Bronze Star for service in Desert Storm. Most recently, as per the City of Scottsdale, he was honored with the Arizona WateReuse Person of the Year Award (2024).
The City of Scottsdale will kick off a national search for a new Executive Director in the coming days. In the interim, Water Resources Assistant Executive Director Kevin Rose will step up to assume the responsibilities of the Executive Director. Biesemeyer's farewell to Scottsdale Water is not just the closing of a chapter but the commencement of a hunt for fresh leadership capable of upholding the high standards he set forth.
