David Nahai
Encyclopedia
Hamid David Nahai is an Iranian-American
environmental attorney, political activist, and former head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
.
ian capital, Tehran
. In 1969 Nahai moved to the United Kingdom
where he later attended the London School of Economics
. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Nahai relocated to the United States
where he received his JD degree from the University of California, Berkeley
.
based Nahai Law Corporation in 1992. The firm specializes in "real estate, corporate, environmental and commercial law." Nahai served several terms on the Regional Water Quality Control Board before being appointed to the DWP board of commissioners in 2005 by Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
.
In December 2007, Villaraigosa elevated Nahai to "the post of DWP general manager and chief executive officer". Nahai's approximately two year tenure was marked by a heightened emphasis on renewable energy sources and conservation. During his time at the DWP, the department increased its renewable energy portfolio to 14 percent and the city of Los Angeles saw its lowest monthly water use in 32 years (in June 2009).
In October 2009, Nahai resigned as general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, citing his desire to devote his time and resources to the Clinton Climate Initiative that he had joined shortly before. The Clinton Climate Initiative is an organization founded by former US president Bill Clinton with the aim of fighting the causes of global climate change.
Iranian-American
Iranian-Americans are Americans of Iranian ancestry or people possessing Iranian and American dual citizenship.Iranian-Americans are amongst the most highly educated groups in the United States...
environmental attorney, political activist, and former head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is the largest municipal utility in the United States, serving over four million residents. It was founded in 1902 to supply water and electricity to residents and businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding communities...
.
Early life and education
David Nahai was born into a Jewish family in 1959 in the IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian capital, Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. In 1969 Nahai moved to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
where he later attended the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Nahai relocated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he received his JD degree from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
.
Career and Los Angeles DWP
Nahai founded the Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
based Nahai Law Corporation in 1992. The firm specializes in "real estate, corporate, environmental and commercial law." Nahai served several terms on the Regional Water Quality Control Board before being appointed to the DWP board of commissioners in 2005 by Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa , born Antonio Ramón Villar, Jr., is the 41st and current Mayor of Los Angeles, California, the third Mexican American to have ever held office in the city of Los Angeles and the first in over 130 years. He is also the current president of the United States Conference of...
.
In December 2007, Villaraigosa elevated Nahai to "the post of DWP general manager and chief executive officer". Nahai's approximately two year tenure was marked by a heightened emphasis on renewable energy sources and conservation. During his time at the DWP, the department increased its renewable energy portfolio to 14 percent and the city of Los Angeles saw its lowest monthly water use in 32 years (in June 2009).
In October 2009, Nahai resigned as general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, citing his desire to devote his time and resources to the Clinton Climate Initiative that he had joined shortly before. The Clinton Climate Initiative is an organization founded by former US president Bill Clinton with the aim of fighting the causes of global climate change.