PRESS RELEASE

San Andreas - May 2, 2025

At its Special Board Meeting on April 30, 2025, the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) appointed Jeffrey Robertson to the Board of Directors, representing Division 3. Robertson fills the vacancy left by the retirement of longtime Board Member Bertha Underhill, who served from 2001 to 2009 and again from 2014 to 2025. Over the course of her service, Ms. Underhill poured her heart, expertise, and energy into ensuring clean, reliable water and wastewater services for the Calaveras community.

The CCWD Board interviewed four applicants and expressed appreciation for each of them.  After careful deliberation, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Robertson to serve the remainder of the current term through December 2026.

“We were fortunate to have four great candidates apply, each bringing unique qualifications and a strong desire to serve,” said CCWD Board President Jeff Davidson. “It was a very difficult decision, but we believe Mr. Robertson’s broad experience and community involvement make him a great fit for the District.”

“We’re excited to welcome Mr. Robertson to the Board,” Davidson added. “We look forward to the expertise and leadership he will bring to CCWD.”

A proud California native, Robertson began visiting Calaveras County in 1969 and made Murphys his permanent home after retiring in 2018. A former Senior Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, he served for over 20 years in diplomatic and senior management roles across the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific and received multiple awards for distinguished service from the State Department.  He also served as a Country Director with the Peace Corps and held senior roles in both domestic and international operations.

Outside government service, Robertson worked as a carpenter and general contractor for over 10 years and fished commercially for salmon in Alaska. He holds a master’s in public administration from Harvard, a master’s in national resource strategy from the National Defense University, and a bachelor’s degree from Redlands University.   

Since retiring, Robertson has remained an active member of the local community. He previously served with the Calaveras County Mentoring Foundation, currently serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity Calaveras and is a member of the Angels-Murphys Rotary Club.

"There is nothing more important to the future of our foothills than water. I am truly honored to join the CCWD Board, and will do my best  to be a responsible steward of this precious resource on behalf of our greater community,” said Robertson.

CCWD is an independent California Special District established to provide essential public services, including water supply and wastewater management, to communities throughout Calaveras County. The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected by qualified voters within the District to serve staggered four-year terms.

To learn more about Director Robertson, visit his official bio: Jeffrey Robertson - Calaveras County Water District