F. Thomas Kieley III is a second-generation native of Palm Springs, and became one of the Agency’s youngest directors when he was elected in 1985. Tom was re-elected to his fifth term in 2003, and has served many times as a board officer and committee chairman.

Tom learned the importance of water as a youngster growing up in a pioneer desert family. He majored in engineering at the University of Denver where he earned his BS degree. Tom continued his studies at the University of California, Riverside, and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He has a Certificate as a Personal Financial Planner from the University of Southern California and operates his own firm: Kieley Insurance and Financial Services. He also is a UCR extension program instructor.

Tom is active in the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), and is a member of the National Water Resources Association and the American Water Works Association. He also is a former member of the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Tom is a director of Palm Springs Roundtable and UCR’s Planned Gifts Advisory Board, and a member of Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation. He has been a leader in many Palm Springs organizations, including the Agua Caliente Development Authority, Desert Hospital Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the Youth Center. He also has served on the College of the Desert Advisory Board, County Grand Jury and the Palm Springs Economic Development Task Force.

Tom’s wife, Linda, is executive director of United Way of the Desert.