Engr. Carlos N. “GM Jun” Santos, Jr. has been a transformative leader of the Santa Maria Water District, guiding it from limited resources and outdated systems into a modern, expanding utility. Under his leadership, the district grew from serving just 3,640 concessionaires in 2001 to over 49,000 service connections in 2024, expanding its reach from four to 28 barangays while significantly reducing Non-Revenue Water from 39.6% to 14%. He introduced computerization, secured financing for pipeline rehabilitation, improved water quality, and motivated employees to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, FOI Program recognition, and compliance with the Data Privacy Act.

Beyond Santa Maria, GM Jun has been a national figure in the water sector, serving as President of the Bulacan Association of Water Districts and later the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD), representing over 500 districts nationwide. He contributes actively to policy discussions in Congress and Senate, particularly on the creation of the Department of Water Resources, while being regarded as a mentor and “kuya” to younger general managers. Widely known as the “Pambansang GM ng Pilipinas” and the “Rockstar-Leader GM,” he continues to inspire through his vision of world-class, sustainable, and customer-focused water service.