Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Following a competitive national search, Alev Bilginsoy has been appointed General Manager of the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. Bilginsoy began her new role on October 12.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors established the General Manager position in March 2026 as part of a broader effort to strengthen the Department of Public Works (DPW) and its delivery of essential public services. The position was recommended in the department's November 2025 Organizational Excellence Report, which identified opportunities to provide more focused leadership and oversight of the District's flood control responsibilities, infrastructure maintenance, and capital improvement programs. The new position reports directly to the DPW Director.
Bilginsoy most recently served as Strategic Planning and Partnerships lead for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, supporting critical public infrastructure throughout Northern California. Her experience includes developing capital investment strategies, improving governance and performance of major capital portfolios, strengthening partnerships across agencies, and leading multidisciplinary teams on dredging and flood risk management projects, including flood preparedness planning with local, state, and federal agencies serving southern Marin County.
"With winter just around the corner, we couldn't be more pleased that Alev has joined us at such an important time,” said Chris Blunk, Director of Marin County Department of Public Works. “With a potentially challenging winter ahead, our focus is on doing everything we can to prepare—working closely with our maintenance divisions, the Office of Emergency Management, and our regional partners to strengthen our readiness, respond quickly when conditions change, reduce flood risk and protect and support our communities.
Alev's leadership, strategic perspective, and collaborative approach will be invaluable as we navigate the winter ahead while continuing to strengthen the District for the future.”
Bilginsoy, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, earned a degree in city and metropolitan planning and environmental and sustainability studies at the University of Utah. She began her professional career with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality as a water quality technician before becoming a program manager with the Santa Cruz-based Coastal Watershed Council.
She later pursued a master's degree in landscape architecture and environmental planning at the University of California, Berkeley, while working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' San Francisco District as an interdisciplinary planner, outreach coordinator, and strategic planner.
In her new role, Bilginsoy will oversee the District's flood preparedness activities, infrastructure maintenance, capital project development and delivery, and financial administration. She will also work closely with the District's advisory boards, partner agencies, and communities throughout Marin County to strengthen communication, establish priorities, and advance practical solutions to local flood risks.
"I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Marin County and excited to begin working with District staff, our advisory boards, community members, and our many local, state, and federal partners,” Bilginsoy said. “My first priority is to listen and learn while working with the broader County organization to prepare for the winter ahead. Longer term, I look forward to helping strengthen the District’s planning, project delivery, and partnerships as we work to address Marin’s evolving flood risks.”
Robin Bartlett, a DPW Assistant Director, has served as the Flood Control District's Interim General Manager since March, helping guide the District through a period of organizational transition and winter storm preparedness.
The Flood Control District has approximately 20 employees and draws on additional expertise and resources from across the County as needed. The District's Fiscal Year 2026–27 operating budget for Flood Control Zone operations and maintenance is approximately $7.1 million.