News Release Archive

Donald R. Glaser Retires From Reclamation

Media Contact: Dan DuBray, 202-513-0574, ddubray@usbr.gov

For Release: January 06, 2014

WASHINGTON - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor has announced that Donald R. Glaser has retired after more than 30 years of federal government service. Most recently, Glaser served as the Mid-Pacific Regional Director and Director of the Technical Service Center. He previously worked for Reclamation for more than 25 years in positions including Assistant Commissioner for Resources Management and Deputy Commissioner for Operations.

"Don has been a valuable asset for Reclamation throughout his career, from advocating for the Technical Service Center in Denver to working on water issues in California," said Commissioner Connor. "I have relied on Don for advice, support and friendship over the past five years and I am happy to say that, though he is officially retired, he won’t be leaving Reclamation immediately. We will continue to have access to his experience and knowledge a little longer to help out on a number of high-level policy issues."

Commissioner Connor says Glaser will return in January and work in the Policy and Administration Office in Denver on a part-time basis.

"It has been an honor working for the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation. I have been fortunate to have many great career opportunities and to work with some of the finest public servants in government. I have enjoyed an outstanding relationship with our water and power customers and other stakeholders including members of congress, tribal governments, state and federal agencies and other non-governmental organizations," said Glaser. "Continuing to work on current policy issues will keep me in contact with many of our Reclamation partners while I do something that is very important to me."

Since moving to Denver, Glaser has served as the Director of the Technical Service Center, Acting Director of Technical Resources and advised Commissioner Connor and other Reclamation leaders on various policy issues.

In recognition of his service throughout his career, Glaser was awarded the Department of the Interior's highest recognition, the Distinguished Service Award, for his outstanding leadership. He received the award in 2012 from former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Before returning to Reclamation as the Mid-Pacific Regional Director in 2008, Glaser spent seven years managing several nonprofits engaged in water education, open space preservation and fish and wildlife conservation and restoration. Prior to that, he was a water resource consultant, the Executive Director for the Presidential Commission on Western Water Policy and the State Director for the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado.

Glaser was born in Long Beach, Calif., and graduated from Santa Barbara High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics from Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University - Billings).

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