Rick L. Callender
NAACP board of directors member, Rick L. Callender has served on the Resolutions Committee for more than 20 years. He also serves as president of the California/Hawaii NAACP State Conferences, which boasts 74 branches and youth units. From 2000 to 2008, Callender served as president of the San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP branch.
I hope to help us to build our membership and support our youth and college members to be ready to take over the movement. The NAACP has to make sure we are growing those behind us!
Callender is the Chief Executive Officer of Valley Water where he oversees an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water; flood protection; and environmental stewardship of waterways for Santa Clara County's 1.9 million residents.
He has worked for Valley Water since 1996, serving most recently as the Chief of External Affairs. As the CEA, he led Valley Water's efforts in strategic external communications to the media, community, and the public. Rick also oversaw all government relations efforts on local, regional, state, and federal levels and public policies that directly affect Valley Water.
Prior to joining the district, Callender worked as a Special Assistant to former City of San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer. He also served as a Field Campaign Organizer for the California Democratic Party, Congressional Fellow for the United States House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Energy, and as a Congressional Fellow to Congressman Ronald V. Dellums.
Growing up in San Jose, Callender earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Technology with an emphasis in electronic and computer technology from California State University, Chico. He completed all coursework for his Master of Arts in Public Administration from San Jose State University, earned his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern California University School of Law, and is a member of the California State Bar. Callender also attended and graduated from eight executive leadership programs at different universities throughout the nation.
In the Media
NAACP Announces Plans for Midterm War Room, Recruits More Than 52,000 Volunteers
With less than a month until the 2026 midterm elections, the NAACP has announced its plans to stand up a legal War Room by October 24th – spearheaded by NAACP General Counsel Kristen Clarke, the former Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – to protect voters as they head to the polls.
Nominations for 112th NAACP Spingarn Medal Award Now Open
Leon W. Russell, Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, has announced that the NAACP is calling for nominations for the 112th SPINGARN MEDAL AWARD. All nominations for the 112th Spingarn Medal Award must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2026.
40 Days to the Midterms: Why Every Vote Matters
In 40 days, we will either overwhelm the polls, or we will hand our future to people who never had to earn it.