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MEET
ALLISON PICARD
40+ Years of Public Service
A lifetime of putting communities first.
Allison Picard brings more than four decades of local government experience to her campaign for Contra Costa Water District Division 2.
From county government to regional agencies, Allison has built a career in public-sector leadership, including executive roles in finance, human resources, administration and workforce development.
Today, she lives in Martinez with her husband, Peter, and remains active in community service.
A LIFE ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
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Allison was born in New Orleans and raised in Southern California. She earned a degree in U.S. History from Loyola Marymount University and later received a fellowship to study urban planning at Den Hague University in Holland and Lueven University in Belgium. She also completed a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Allison and her husband Peter, a retired high school English teacher, have been married for 43 years. They have two children and two granddaughters - which is what brought them to the Bay Area.
For the past 12 years, Allison and Peter have been calling Martinez home. Outside of her professional work, Allison enjoys reading, geneology, international travel, walking trails, open spaces and the cultural life of the Bay Area.
Family. Community. Curiosity
The experiences that shape my commitment to public service.
WHY WATER MATTERS
Water is one of the most important public services a community depends on—the decisions made today will shape ccwd ratepayers water future for generations.
Contra Costa Water District provides water to more than 550,000 people across central and eastern Contra Costa County, serving homes, businesses, industry, and agriculture. Behind that service is a complex system of infrastructure, financial resources, water supply planning, and long-term investments. That is where Allison’s experience comes in.
For more than 40 years, Allison has worked in local government, serving in executive leadership roles where she managed public resources, oversaw complex operations, worked with employees and labor organizations, and helped public agencies navigate important financial and organizational decisions. Her professional background includes a Master of Public Administration with concentrations in finance and urban planning, as well as extensive experience in public-sector management.
Her decision to run for the CCWD Board is personal as well as professional. Allison and her husband have called Martinez home for years, and she has continued to serve her community through local public appointments. She is bringing that combination of public-sector experience, financial and organizational knowledge, and connection to the Martinez community to her campaign for the CCWD Board.
Allison applies for the vacant Division 2 seat
april 2026
From Appointment Application
to Election
Allison was the first applicant to submit an application following the vacancy created by the retirement of Board Director John Burgh.
A timeline of how the vacant Division 2 seat evolved from an appointment process to an election, leading to the opportunity for voters to decide on November 3, 2026.
THE JOURNEY TO THE BALLOT
MAY 2026
Application period extended
Three people initially applied before the deadline, resulting in an extension of the application period. Eight candidates ultimately applied.
There are approximately 70,000 registered voters in Division 2, representing communities in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Port Costa, and Concord. Allison believes every one of these voters should have the opportunity to decide who represents their interests on the CCWD Board. An elected representative should earn the trust of the people they serve and be accountable directly to them. I have long believed in the importance of civic participation, voting rights, and an informed electorate.
MAY 13, 2026
Board Interviews
Allison was among five applicants selected for a 15-minute interview before the CCWD of Directors.
NOV. 3, 2026
Division 2 voters choose
The appointment process filled the vacancy. On November 3, 2026, Division 2 voters get to choose who represents them on the CCWD Board.
40+ Years of Public Service
From County Government to Regional Agencies, Allison's career has focused on public-sector leadership, administration, finance, human services and strategic planning.
Los Angeles County Administrative Office, Budget Division
Management Trainee to Chief Analyst
8 Years
City of Fairfield
Human Resources Director
2 years
Retired December 2018
Los Angeles County Administrative Office, Budget Division
Management Trainee to Chief Analyst
8 Years
Los Angeles County Administrative Office, Budget Division
Kings County, County Administrative Office
Deputy/Asst. County Administrator
9 years
Human Resources Director
16 years
East Bay Regional Park District
Assistant General Manager / Chief Workforce Development
18 Months-post Retirement Interim
California Public Employer Relations Association
President - California Public Employer Labor Relations Association (CalPELRA) - the largest public labor relations organization in the country
Los Angeles County Administrative Office, Budget Division
Management Trainee to Chief Analyst
8 Years
Los Angeles County Administrative Office, Budget Division
Bay Area Rapid Transit
Assistant General Manager, Human Resources & Employee Relations
2 years
Freelance HR Consulant
Serving as Interim HR Director for multiple local agencies
Contra Costa County
Chief Assistant County Administrator
1 Year
Chapman University Adjunct Faculty
Taught undergraduate Organizational Leadership and graduate level HR courses
10 years