Brian Golding Sr. is the economic development director for the Quechan Indian Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation along the Colorado River in Arizona and California. Since 2004, he has been responsible for managing community development projects, leasing, grants and contracts and acting as liaison on economic development initiatives with local, state and federal agencies, and private development entities. He has been the point person for his tribe with the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, a 50-year multi-agency effort to protect and improve species and habitat along the lower reach of the Colorado River.

He previously served as a tribal planner and economic development specialist in Mendocino County and in a variety of tribal operations roles for the Bureau of Indian Affairs across central California. He participated in the 2020-2021 cohort of the Water Solutions Network and he has regularly participated as a speaker on the Foundation’s annual Lower Colorado River tour.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in city and regional planning from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a law degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento.

He joined the Foundation’s board in 2022.