F. Gillar Boyd Jr. has served on the Desert Water Agency Board of Directors since 1974, when he was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Herbert Sampson. In his eighth term, Gillar has served as president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer. He also has participated on many board committees.

Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Gillar moved with his family to Palm Springs in 1935. He attended schools in Palm Springs, and after graduating from Palm Springs High School, he attended Chaffey College, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a BS degree in public administration and then attended USC’s Law School. He graduated in 1953 with a juris doctor degree. After being discharged from the US Army in 1955, Gillar began his career in law.

Gillar continues to practice law in Palm Springs where he specializes in wills, trusts, estate planning and probate. He is a member of the California State and American Bar Associations, and was past president of the Desert Bar Association.

The longtime board member is a charter member of the Palm Springs Sun-Up Rotary Club. He also has served as chairman of the Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), the Palm Springs Airport Commission, and is a former chairman of the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board. He was a longtime leader in the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce where he was a board member.

Gillar was married to his late wife, Shirley, for 51 years.