Alameda County Water District
Girum Awoke, Ph.D, P.E., DBIA has extensive work experience in engineering and academia. Girum is currently serving as the Director of Engineering and Technology at the Alameda County Water District. Prior to this role, they worked as an Adjunct Professor at San Jose State University and Santa Clara University. Girum also has experience in public works, having served as the Director of Public Works for the City of Vacaville and the City of Gilroy. Girum has held various positions in the construction industry, including Chief at MC DOT Construction and Project Manager at MC DOT. Additionally, Girum has a background in research, serving as a Research Assistant at the University of Maryland.
Girum Awoke, Ph.D, P.E., DBIA has an extensive education history. Girum earned their Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Addis Ababa University in 2001. Girum then pursued further studies and obtained their Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland between 2005 and 2011.
In terms of executive education, Girum attended the WWLC Executive program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2023. Girum also completed a certificate program in Executive leadership at Stanford University's Local Governance Summer Institute in 2019.
Girum has also acquired several additional certifications throughout their career. Girum obtained the Water Distribution System Operator Grade II certification from the State Water Resources Control Board in June 2022. Additionally, they obtained the Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade II certification from CA SWRCB in June 2021. Girum is also a certified Professional Engineer (P.E.) in California, having obtained this license from the California DCA BPELS in April 2016. Furthermore, they hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license obtained from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) in January 2008. Girum's commitment to professional development is evident through their achievement of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) certification in March 2017.