Bill Dodd (California politician)

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. In addition, Dodd 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 2013, having previously been a registered Republican, Dodd changed his affiliation to the Democratic Party. In explaining the change, Dodd described himself as "a fiscal conservative but I agree with the Democratic viewpoint on most social issues". He also described himself as a pragmatist who parted company with the Republicans on the Board of Supervisors due to the outright opposition of the party to any tax increases, whilst Dodd supported a property tax increase to raise additional revenue.

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 was endorsed by 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.

In March 2017 Dodd coauthored the controversial California Senate Bill 649 which would remove a city's ability to control where the technology is placed and transfer that power to the state and is considered "an unconstitutional bill that forcibly exposes neighborhoods to constant, hazardous 4G/5G microwave radiation."

Personal life

Dodd was born and raised in District 3 in Napa County, growing up on a small farm where his family had 10 acres of walnuts.

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. He serves on the boards of the Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation, Justin-Siena High School, Health 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.