Bill Dodd (California politician)
| Bill Dodd | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the California State Senate from the 3rd district | |
|
Taking office December 5, 2016 | |
| Succeeding | Lois Wolk |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 4th district | |
|
Assumed office December 1, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Mariko Yamada |
| Succeeded by | Cecilia Aguiar-Curry |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Harold Dodd June 10, 1956 Napa, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Napa, California |
| Occupation | Politician |
William Harold "Bill" Dodd is an American politician who has been elected to the California State Senate. A Democrat, he will represent the 3rd Senate District encompassing the northern San Francisco Bay Area and Delta region. He won election to the State Senate in 2016 after defeating fellow Democrat Mariko Yamada.
Prior to his election to the State Senate, Dodd served in the California State Assembly representing the 4th Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Solano, and Colusa Counties. Before serving in the Assembly, he served on the Napa County Board of Supervisors.
Business career
Prior to his time in elected office, Dodd was President and CEO of Diversified Water Systems, Inc. (DWS). The company was started by his father, William D. Dodd, who came to Napa and Solano County to start multiple Servisoft Water franchises. In 1978, upon earning a degree in Business Management from California State University, Chico, Dodd worked with his father to expand the business by building a direct sales force and purchasing a key competitor, Rayne Water Systems. In the early 1980s DWS expanded into the solar industry, specializing in home and pool water heating. Dodd purchased the business from his family in 1988 and in 1989 expanded the business further, acquiring what once was seven Culligan franchises.
After merging the companies together, Dodd operated multiple Culligan franchises,selling,renting and servicing water quality improvement products throughout Northern California. The company had a significant customer base in residential, commercial and industrial accounts. In 1991, DWS consolidated its Vallejo and Napa operations to American Canyon and there built a state of the art softening and deionized regeneration plant. In 1993, the company expanded again, building a 5 gallon bottled water plant in American Canyon. During his time operating DWS, Dodd grew the company from 8 employees to over 40 and increased sales nearly tenfold.
In 1998 Dodd sold DWS to the United States Filtration Company (USF), a New York Stock Exchange Company who later acquired all of Culligan International. Dodd remained employed by USF for 5 years before retiring from the water business to devote his full time to public service.
Dodd was active in the State and Nation trade associations. In 1985 he was elected President of the Pacific Water Quality Association and in 1994, elected to National Water Quality Association. During his tenure the industry embraced third party certification of water treatment products and worked in Sacramento on important legislation to protect consumers. He was awarded the PWQA and WQA Hall of Fame Award, Award of Merit for work in PR and Governmental affairs, all these awards were bestowed upon his father, Bill Sr. a generation earlier.
Political career
Prior to serving in the Assembly, Bill served on the Napa County Board of Supervisors for 14 years. He also represented the cities and county of Napa on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission including a two-year term as chairman of this powerful regional body. In addition, Bill served as an Honorary Commander for the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base. Other boards and commission service included the Chair of the Local Agency Formation Commission of Napa County, Chair of the Napa County League of Governments, Chair of the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, and Chair of the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.
During his tenure as supervisor, Dodd worked with his fellow elected officials and the community to improve Napa's infrastructure, foster economic development while supporting workers, and protect community services for the county's most vulnerable. Dodd was a leader in securing nearly $100 million in funding for the Jamison Canyon Road project (Highway 12) and many other transportation projects in the Napa, Solano and Sonoma County corridor. Dodd was a strong advocate for preservation of agricultural land and affordable housing, particularly farmworker housing. Dodd also built bridges with federal, state, and local officials to realize the Napa flood control project, which will restore more than 900 acres in tidal wetlands, protect more than 3,000 properties from 100-year flood levels, and spur $1 billion in economic activity to revitalize downtown Napa.
In 2014 Dodd ran for the District 4 Assembly seat, representing all or parts of Colusa, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo Counties. His primary victory over four opponents earned him a general election run against Republican Charlie Schaupp. Dodd won the seat with a margin in excess of 20 points.
Dodd was named to the Transportation, Water, Parks and Wildlife, Business and Professions, Agriculture and Rules Committee. In 2016 Speakers Atkins and Rendon named Dodd as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee.
Dodd declared his candidacy for the State Senate, District 3 in July 2015 and is proud to have the endorsements of Governor Jerry Brown, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Alex Padilla and the majority of members in the Senate, Assembly and local elected officials.
2014 California State Assembly
| California's 4th State Assembly district election, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary election | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Bill Dodd | 22,168 | 26.4 | |
| Republican | Charlie Schaupp | 21,873 | 26.1 | |
| Democratic | Dan Wolk | 19,963 | 23.8 | |
| Democratic | Joe Krovoza | 14,993 | 17.9 | |
| Republican | Dustin Call | 4,939 | 5.9 | |
| Total votes | 83,936 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Bill Dodd | 70,598 | 61.6 | |
| Republican | Charlie Schaupp | 43,981 | 38.4 | |
| Total votes | 114,579 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Personal life
Dodd was born and raised in District 3 in Napa County. Raised on a small farm where his family had 10 acres of walnuts, Dodd learned the value of hard work at a very early age.
Dodd graduated from California State University, Chico in 1978, majoring in Business Management. Dodd was involved in Student Government, serving on the Policy Advisory Board and as President of the Inter-Fraternity Council.
Dodd has been involved in the non-profit community in Napa for over 35 years. Some of the Boards include, the Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation, Justin-Siena HS, Heath Care for the Poor Committee, Wolfe Center Youth Drug and Alcohol Center, Children's Health Initiative and is an honorary member of Hospice, Adult Day Services and Clinic Ole.
Dodd and wife Mary reside in Napa and have five grown children and five grandchildren.
