Gilbert F. Ivey is the Chief Administrative Officer of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, having served as interim Chief Executive Officer during the agency’s five-month search for a permanent replacement in 2005.

Ivey is the chief liaison to the board chairman and directors.  He is responsible for managing the administrative functions of the district, including the office of the board of directors, human resources, management of Metropolitan’s real property portfolio, an award-winning business outreach program and Metropolitan’s headquarters at Union Station.

Ivey joined Metropolitan 35 years ago as a summer trainee in the District's Engineering Division. He has held various positions in Finance, Right-of-Way and Land, Operations, Human Resources and Executive Offices. Additionally, he negotiated several major transactions such as the lease for the District's former headquarters at California Plaza for below-market rates, and favorable above-market sale transactions for the District's former Sunset Boulevard headquarters and its Bolsa Chica property.

He was the project director in charge of development and construction of Metropolitan's headquarters at Union Station. At 535,000 square feet above ground and another 317,000 square feet below ground, he delivered this $135 million facility two months ahead of schedule and under budget.

Since the official opening December 11, 1998, his team and the project have won several awards and accolades. The Building Operators and Managers Association recently recognized Metropolitan's headquarters building as an outstanding government building in Los Angeles.

Born in Oceanside and raised in Compton, California, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He also has earned several professional designations and certifications in management from both Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California.

Ivey has contributed to the community by serving in leadership positions on numerous boards and commissions. He currently serves on the executive boards of the Los Angeles Central City Association, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, and the American Association of Blacks in Energy.

He is a member of San Diego's prestigious Catfish Club, and both the Greater San Diego and Greater Los Angeles Area Chambers of Commerce. He also serves on the City of La Verne’s Youth & Family Action Committee Executive Board.  Ivey was the recipient of the American Society for Public Administration, Los Angeles Metro Chapter, Tom Bradley Equal Opportunity Award in 2004. This award is presented to an individual who has successfully promoted equal opportunity in the workplace or the community. Mr. Ivey also received special recognition in 2005 by the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce.