Cindy Messer has been named acting director of the California Department of Water Resources following William R. Croyle’s retirement effective July 1. Messer formerly was chief deputy director of DWR and will serve as acting director until a new director is appointed. Previously, she was assistant chief deputy director. Before joining DWR in early 2017, Messer was deputy director of the planning, performance and technology division at the Delta Stewardship Council. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy analysis and planning for the University of California, Davis and a master’s degree in conservation biology from California State University in Sacramento.