Fidencio “Feedy” Mares is the director of human resources and risk management for Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and has more than 24 years of experience in human resource management.

In this role, he is responsible for the strategic direction and management of all human resources and risk management functions.  These activities include, Talent Management, H.R. Compliance Programs, Compensation and Benefits, Labor Relations, Recruitment and Metropolitan’s Property and Casualty Insurance Programs.

Prior to joining Metropolitan, Mares was the owner of the Mares Company, where he served as a consultant to companies in the overall assessment of their management programs and processes including the evaluation of the strategic alignment and performance of the human resources function, executive compensation systems, performance metrics, talent management processes, employee and labor relations procedures, and organization structure and design.

Prior to becoming a consultant, Mares worked both in the private and public sectors, serving as vice president of human resources and corporate communications for Beckham Coulter and as chief administrative officer and president of gas operations at BHP/Pacific Resources.  He worked for more than ten years in the public sector for The Gas Company in Hawaii and Southern California Edison Company.

Mares is also very involved in community activities and currently serves on the board of directors and the board’s executive committee of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California.

A graduate of the California State University, Fresno, he also serves on the National Board of Visitors (Distinguished Graduates) for the University.