Michael Gabaldon
Director, Technical Resources
Mr. Michael Gabaldon was named as the Director Technical Resources for the Bureau of Reclamation. The position, located in Denver, Colo., oversees Reclamation's Technical Service Center, Research and Development Program, the Senior Leader - Power Liaison, and the Senior Leader - DSO/DEC.
He began his career with Reclamation in 1982 as a Rotation Engineer at the Montrose Projects Office in Colorado. Following the Rotation program, he was assigned to the Inspection Branch to work on the Ridgeway Dam. Upon the completion of dam construction, he transferred to the Designs and Estimates Branch, where he worked for 5 years. In 1989, he relocated to the Durango Projects Office to perform design and contract administration work on the Anima-La Plata Project.
In 1991, Mr. Gabaldon moved to the Bend Construction Office in the Pacific Northwest Region, working as both a Lead Engineer and a Supervisory Civil Engineer in the Contract Administration Branch. In 1993, he was promoted to Chief of the Office Engineering Division. From 1996-98, he served as Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Regional Liaison Officer in Washington, In 1998, he was selected as the Area Manager for one of Reclamation's largest area offices, the Albuquerque Area Office. He was responsible for Reclamation program activities in the Rio Grande basin, the Pecos River basin, and the Canadian River basin - spanning three states from southeastern Colorado through New Mexico and south to west Texas.
In 2001, Mr. Gabaldon relocated to Washington, D.C, to serve as the Deputy Director of Operations. In this capacity, his responsibilities included program coordination among Reclamation's regional and area offices, evaluation and assessment of Reclamation's capability to effectively achieve its legislative mandates, and development and review of the adequacy of operational programs. He remained in that position until 2003 when Commissioner John Keys promoted Mr. Gabaldon to the position of Director of the Policy, Management, and Technical Services organization in Denver, CO.
Mr. Gabaldon assumed the position of Director of the Technical Service Center in the Denver office of the Bureau of Reclamation in January 2006. From 2003 to 2006, he served as the Director of Policy, Management, and Technical Services headquartered in Washington, In that role, he was responsible for the Office of Program and Policy Services, Chief Information Office, Technical Service Center, International Affairs, and Management Services Office.
Mr. Gabaldon's experience on key Reclamation projects and his in-depth knowledge of Reclamation's programs and policies have allowed him to serve as a highly visible member of Reclamation leadership. He is well-versed in technical, administrative, operational, Congressional, and policy issues and is a valued source of information and consultation regarding Reclamation's role in the Department of the Interior.
A native of Belen, New Mexico, Mr. Gabaldon was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico. He also earned an Associates degree in Water Technology/Utilities from New Mexico State University. Mr. Gabaldon is a registered Professional Engineer and is fluent in Spanish.