Tom Buschatzke

Director, Arizona Department of Water Resources

Tom Buschatzke was appointed Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources in January 2015. With over four decades of water management experience, he is responsible for carrying out ADWR’s mission: To safeguard the health, safety and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving and enhancing Arizona’s water supplies in a bold, thoughtful and innovative manner. Mr. Buschatzke serves as the Governor’s Representative for the state of Arizona on matters relating to the Colorado River. He is the Chairman of both the Arizona Water Banking Authority and the Governor’s Water Policy Council, as well as a member of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority board. Further, he is the Co-Chair of the Drought Inter-Agency Coordinating Council and represents the State in Tribal water rights negotiations. He is the U.S. co-chair for the Minute 323 Binational Desalination Work Group, which is charged with exploring desalination opportunities with the Republic of Mexico.