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Michael Gabaldon
Director, Technical Resources

Mr. Michael Gabaldon is the Director Technical Resources for the Bureau of Reclamation. The position, located in Denver, Colo., oversees Reclamation's Technical Service Center, Research and Development Office, the Power Resources Office, and the Design Estimates and Construction Office.

Mr. Gabaldon's experience on key Reclamation projects and his in-depth knowledge of Reclamation's programs and policies have allowed him to serve as a highly visible member of Reclamation leadership. He is well-versed in technical, administrative, operational, Congressional, and policy issues and is a valued source of information and consultation regarding Reclamation's role in the Department of the Interior.

He began his career with Reclamation in 1982 as a Construction Engineer at the Montrose Projects Office in Colorado where he was assigned to the Inspection Branch to work on the Ridgeway Dam. Upon the completion of dam construction, he transferred to the Designs and Estimates Branch. In 1989, he relocated to the Durango Projects Office to perform design and contract administration work on the Anima-La Plata Project.

In 1991, Mr. Gabaldon moved to the Bend Construction Office in the Pacific Northwest Region, as a Supervisory Civil Engineer in the Contract Administration Branch and in 1993, he was promoted to Chief of the Office Engineering Division. From 1996-98, he served as Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Regional Liaison Officer in Washington, D.C. In 1998, he was selected as the Area Manager for one of Reclamation's largest area offices, the Albuquerque Area Office where he was responsible for Reclamation program activities in the Rio Grande basin, the Pecos River basin, and the Canadian River basin - spanning three states from southeastern Colorado through New Mexico and west Texas.

In 2001, Mr. Gabaldon relocated to Washington, D.C, to serve as the Deputy Director of Operations. In this capacity, his responsibilities included program coordination among Reclamation's regional and area offices, evaluation and assessment of Reclamation's capability to effectively achieve its legislative mandates, and development and review of the adequacy of operational programs. He remained in that position until 2003 when he was promoted to Director of the Policy, Management, and Technical Services organization in Denver, CO. In that role, he was responsible for the Office of Program and Policy Services, Chief Information Office, Technical Service Center, research Office, International Affairs, and Management Services Office. Mr. Gabaldon also served as the Chairman of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group.

A native of Belen, New Mexico, Mr. Gabaldon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico. He also holds a degree in Water Technology/Utilities from New Mexico State University. Mr. Gabaldon is a registered Professional Engineer.

Last Updated: April 15, 2009