Peter S. Silva ('77, Civil Engineering)

Peter S. Silva

President, Silva-Silva International

BS Civil Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona, 1977

Growing up in the Imperial Valley area in California with a farm-working family and few resources, Peter S. Silva quickly realized the critical importance of water.

After joining Cal Poly Pomona’s civil engineering program with an emphasis on water, Peter learned that performing well is not just about technical skills, but also about working with people.

Following graduation, Peter worked for regional water boards and districts in Southern California, learning about water issues he had previously studied. Soon, he worked for an international water commission interacting with high-profile U.S. and Mexico officials.

Later, Peter was appointed by President Clinton to the Board of Directors of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, and by Governor Gray Davis as the vice-chair of the State Water Resource Control Board—reappointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed Peter as the assistant administrator for the Office of Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“I always focused on making sure that I learned as much as I could in any job and always gave it my utmost effort and always tracked opportunities that might fit my career path. That meant keeping communication with colleagues and friends and staying current with industry.”