Palo Alto utilities staff and commissioners thank Assistant Director Carla Daley on her last UAC meeting

Assistant Director Carla Daley used her Dec. 3 Utilities Advisory Commission appearance to thank colleagues and reflect on a long career with Palo Alto Utilities.

Daley, who said she began working in Palo Alto in 1991, described the resources division’s responsibilities — commodity and transmission portfolios for gas, water and electric, resource planning and rates, and customer‑facing programs such as energy efficiency and water conservation. "The people who are doing that work don't do it to get rich. They do it because they believe in the mission of this organization," Daley said.

Commissioners and staff paid tribute to Daley’s mentorship and institutional knowledge; several commissioners noted her leadership of resource management and the department’s contributions to city programs. Staff said Daley’s tenure spanned the entire history of the city’s Utilities Advisory Commission and that she will be missed.

What happens next: Staff and commissioners indicated they will mark Daley’s formal retirement and continue transition work; no formal action was required or taken.

Quote: "I have spent my whole career here in utilities...it is an over $200,000,000 budget, and the people who are doing that work don't do it to get rich," Daley said.