Jeffrey Kightlinger is general manager for The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.  As general manager, he is responsible for implementing the policy directives of the Board, including working with elected officials and member agencies to carry out the district's mission. The general manager reports directly to the Board of Directors and provides leadership and management of the district's public policies and strategic initiatives, assets and resources, and all administrative, operational, and financial activities for Metropolitan.

Prior to his recent appointment as general manager, he was general counsel for the District.  Mr. Kightlinger was responsible for directing Metropolitan's legal staff and consulting attorneys; leading the district's legal strategies in pending and potential litigation; and protecting Metropolitan's interests in all legal matters.

Before becoming general counsel, Mr. Kightlinger represented Metropolitan in environmental issues and water right matters. At Metropolitan he worked primarily on Colorado River matters, water rights issues and a number of the district's water transfer and storage programs. Before joining Metropolitan in 1995, Mr. Kightlinger worked in private practice representing numerous public agencies including municipalities, redevelopment agencies and special districts.

Mr. Kightlinger spent a year specializing in environmental law at George Washington University in Washington D.C., while working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley in 1981 and a law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1985.