"Callender, who makes a $512,886 salary, will retire as CEO on March 1 and stay on as a paid advisor for the next year, Valley Water's announcement said. Board member Rebecca Eisenberg, who represents Palo Alto, has said publicly that employees complained about Callender sexually harassing them. His attorney Lori Costanzo confirmed that Callender was under investigation. The union cited fears of retaliation against the employee due to the unnamed leader's stature and power over the agency."
"After the union threatened to keep speaking publicly about the misconduct complaint, Callender stopped showing up to meetings. The leave was first described as "medical" then as "voluntary." "At no time was Mr. Callender disciplined or forced to resign or retire due to any reported investigations," board chair Tony Estremera said in a statement yesterday. A severance agreement between Valley Water and Callender wasn't available yesterday."
Rick Callender, who has worked for Valley Water since 1996 and was appointed CEO in May 2020, will retire as CEO on March 1 and serve as a paid advisor for one year. Callender went on paid leave on Dec. 16, 2024, after a union leader publicly demanded an unnamed executive be placed on administrative leave following a formal misconduct complaint in which a lower employee named the boss. Board member Rebecca Eisenberg has said employees complained about Callender sexually harassing them, and his attorney confirmed he was under investigation. The leave was described as medical then voluntary, and no severance agreement was available.
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