The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners has elected new leaders and welcomed Mayor Karen Bass’ newest appointments to the board overseeing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Allan Marks, a lawyer and strategic advisor, was unanimously elected Board President on January 13, 2026. Commissioner Nurit Katz, sustainability professional and educator who has served on the Board since 2022, was elected Vice-President.
The Los Angeles City Council confirmed Marks‘ appointment on December 10, 2025, for a term of four and half years. Marks brings decades of experience in international project finance, energy and infrastructure. He has advised executives and large organizations on corporate strategy, risk management, regulatory changes, and capital formation, with a focus on energy transition, renewable energy, innovative clean technologies, geopolitics, financial innovation, climate risks, resilience, and sustainability.
As a lawyer previously in private practice, he has overseen complex energy and infrastructure transactions valued at over $100 billion globally.
Marks emphasized the importance of LADWP’s role as a publicly-owned utility, stating, “What sets us apart is our accountability-not to private shareholders, but to the citizens and residents of Los Angeles. I’m grateful to the Mayor and City Council for their trust. It is a privilege to give back to the community and to build on the legacy of past and present commissioners. Our mission remains clear: to provide reliable, affordable, safe, and clean water and power to the people of Los Angeles.”
As Vice President, Katz will continue to bring her expertise in sustainability, operations, and ecology to ensure LADWP delivers reliable and sustainable water and carbon-free power services in a cost-effective and equitable manner.
Since joining the Board in 2023, Katz has been instrumental in advancing LADWP’s environmental initiatives and strengthening collaboration across City departments, promoting equity and championing conservation efforts to ensure all customers benefit from clean energy and sustainable water supplies.
The Board also welcomed Benny Tran, an infrastructure strategist confirmed by the L.A. City Council on December 3, 2025.
Commissioner Tran brings extensive experience from his role as the Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy at the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), and his work on international projects and initiatives focused on sustainability, public policy, and infrastructure.
Katz expressed gratitude at the wealth of expertise that the new commissioners bring to the Board at this critical time. “Commissioner Pinder and I are thrilled to welcome Commissioners Marks and Tran to the Board, bringing decades of relevant experience. I am grateful to Commissioner Marks for stepping up to serve as President and am honored to serve alongside him. I look forward to continuing to support the City of Los Angeles in moving towards a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future.”
Commissioner Wilma Pinder continues her term on the Board, which began on March 8, 2024. A former Los Angeles Assistant City Attorney with 30 years experience as a civil litigator and trial attorney, Pinder provides invaluable insight to an array of issues that impact LADWP customers and employees, as well as the Department’s business operations and mandates. Her term runs through June 30, 2027.
