Dave Canaan
Principal Consultant

Dave Canaan

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – Tennessee Tech University (1987)

Certifications

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: County Administration Course

Email

dcanaan@raftelis.com

About Dave

Dave has extensive experience in the overall direction and guidance on financial, budgetary, organizational, planning, and regulatory matters related to storm water utility administration, floodplain management, surface water quality enhancement and preservation, and land development permitting and enforcement. He recently retired from Mecklenburg County where he was the director of County Storm Water for almost 30 years. Under Dave’s leadership at Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services the water quality and flood mitigation capital improvement program (CIP) was initially developed with support from State and federal grants. As those opportunities became limited, he continued to enhance the CIP through funding from local stormwater fees. During Dave’s tenure, he also oversaw the expansion of the County’s Groundwater Program and the administration of zoning ordinances.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional stormwater utility. Mecklenburg County is responsible for the FEMA streams throughout the County and the smaller creeks, pipes and ditches in the unincorporated areas. The County is also responsible for the billing, collection and distribution of associated storm water fee revenue. Dave joined Mecklenburg County in 1992 and the County’s program was initiated in 1993. Dave is the first Mecklenburg County Storm Water Director – he launched and guiding the program through many obstacles that include but are not limited to: economic downturns; significant rebuilding of the floodplain program; expanding the water quality program; etc. all while addressing the impacts from extreme weather events and substantial land use changes due to unprecedented growth.

Dave currently serves as Vice-President of the Southeast Stormwater Association (SESWA) and has held leadership roles in National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA), Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and NC Association of Floodplain Managers (NCAFPM).

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