Maureen A. Stapleton
General Manager

Maureen A. Stapleton is the General Manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, the regional water agency that provides up to 90 percent of all the water used in San Diego County supporting a $169 billion economy and the quality of life for over 3.2 million residents. Stapleton assumed her duties in January 1996.

As General Manager, Stapleton oversees a dynamic agency that is aggressively pursuing a comprehensive array of water supply and infrastructure programs designed to diversify and improve the reliability of San Diego County's water supply. She successfully negotiated the landmark 2003 Colorado River Quantification Settlement Agreement which included the Imperial Irrigation District Water Transfer and the lining of the All American and Coachella canals that together will provide up to 21.4 million acre-feet of water to San Diego County over 110 years. She is also responsible for the implementation of a $3.8 billion Capital Improvement Program, including the Emergency Storage Project, a system of new and expanded reservoirs, interconnected pipelines and pumping stations designed to make water available to the San Diego region during an emergency. In addition, the Water Authority is aggressively pursuing the development of seawater desalination, outdoor conservation, and enhanced recycling to continue the supply diversification effort for the San Diego region.

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Sandra L. Kerl
Deputy General Manager

Sandra Kerl joined the Water Authority as its Deputy General Manager in November 2009. Kerl has over 25 years of progressively responsible experience in all aspects of municipal management. She served as City Manager of La Mesa, California and has broad experience with city management, extensive knowledge of organizational issues, and a pragmatic understanding of capital project management and delivery. Throughout her professional career she has been active in International County Management Association, she has served as chair of the San Diego City/County Managers Association and San Diego Regional Training Center. Kerl received her Bachelor of Political Science from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Redlands.

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Frank Belock
Deputy General Manager

Frank Belock has oversight of the Water Authority’s extensive infrastructure system, which includes almost 300 miles of large-diameter pipelines and associated facilities, as well as a dynamic $3.8 billion Capital Improvement Program. Belock joined the Water Authority in 2007. He oversees the work of the Operations and Maintenance, Right of Way, and Engineering departments. Prior to joining the Water Authority, Belock worked for Parsons as an area manager and as the Director of the Water Department for the city of San Diego.

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Dennis A. Cushman
Assistant General Manager

Dennis Cushman leads the Water Authority’s externally focused water policy initiatives and programs designed to diversify and improve the reliability of the region’s water supply. Cushman also directs the legislative advocacy programs of the Water Authority in Sacramento, Calif., and Washington, D.C. He oversees the work of the Water Authority’s efforts on the Metropolitan Water District Program and manages the Public Affairs Department. From 1997 to 2001, he was director of the Water Authority’s Public Affairs Department. Prior to his appointment as assistant general manager in August 2002, he was associate vice president of Marketing and Communications at San Diego State University, one of the largest universities in the U.S. Cushman has nearly 20 years experience in public affairs and management in the public and private sectors.

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Daniel S. Hentschke
General Counsel

Dan Hentschke is the Water Authority’s chief legal officer and is responsible for managing the legal affairs of the Water Authority. The general counsel’s office provides legal advice, counsel and representation to the Water Authority and its board of directors and staff. He has served as general counsel for the Water Authority since February 1998.

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Willam Busch
Acting Director of Right of Way

William Busch, SR/WA, is the acting director of Right of Way for the Water Authority where he manages the acquisition, survey, and property management sections. The department oversees approximately $400 million in real estate fee and easements, and nearly 200 miles of pipeline right of way. Busch graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. He is active in the International Right of Way Association as instructor, officer, and seminar speaker. He has been with the Water Authority since 1993.

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Amy Chen
Metropolitan Water District Program Chief

Amy Chen manages the Water Authority’s Metropolitan Water District Program, responsible in supporting the Water Authority Board officers and MWD delegates in developing and implementing strategies to achieve the Water Authority’s long-term supply reliability goal. Her group works closely with various Water Authority departments, linking MWD programs and policies to the Water Authority’s management strategies and operations. She also works closely with MWD board members and member agency managers in advocating the Water Authority’s positions relative to MWD programs and activities. Chen is a California registered professional engineer with more than 20 years experience in water resources engineering and planning. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees both from University of Southern California in civil engineering. Chen joined the Water Authority in 1996 to lead the Water Authority’s Los Angeles office managing liaison relationship with the MWD board and member agencies, and she was named MWD program chief in February 2008.

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Gary A. Eaton
Director of Operations and Maintenance

Gary Eaton directs the department responsible for all aspects of water delivery including dispatch, water quality, storage, security, emergency response and energy generation. He is also responsible for the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies and programs for the operation, maintenance, repair and construction of the Water Authority’s large and complex aqueduct system and facilities. His department is responsible for the specification, procurement, maintenance, repair and surplus activities associated with approximately 160 motorized vehicles, trailers, tractors, and miscellaneous equipment. Eaton joined the Water Authority in 1988 and became director of operations and maintenance in July 2003.

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Jason Foster
Director of Public Affairs

Jason Foster serves as the director of the Public Affairs Department. He supervises the Water Authority’s outreach efforts, including education programs, community outreach related to construction projects, the agency’s small-business contracting opportunities program (SCOOP), media relations, and regional communications on water supply issues. Foster is also spearheading the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies’ efforts to educate the public on the 20 Gallon Challenge asking each person to volunteer to conserve 20 gallons of water daily. Prior to coming to the Water Authority in December 2006, Foster served as the media relations manager for San Diego State University and also worked in the San Diego region as a public affairs consultant.

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Susan Leone
Director of Human Resources

Susan Leone has responsibility for human resources support to the Water Authority and its employees. The Human Resources Department provides diverse support in the areas of: leadership, management and employee training and development; workforce planning; recruitment and selection; classification and compensation; labor negotiations and employee relations; and, benefits. Leone joined the Water Authority in January 2008 as director of human resources.

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Halla Razak
Colorado River Program Manager

Halla Razak, P.E, is responsible for administering various aspects related to the Colorado River Program and the Quantification Settlement Agreements. This includes the Imperial Irrigation District Water Transfer agreement, the lining of the All-American and Coachella canals, the Imperial Valley community outreach program, and working closely with federal, state, and other water agencies to implement Colorado River programs. Razak joined the Water Authority in 2005.

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William J. Rose
Water Conservation Program Executive

Bill Rose is responsible for implementing the Water Authority’s water conservation program. The program compliments the conservation activities of the Water Authority’s member agencies and those of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The Water Authority’s program is designed to change attitudes and behavior towards water use and help the San Diego region meet the state legislated goal of a 20 percent reduction in urban water use by 2020. Rose is a Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California and joined the Water Authority in February 2001.

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Eric Sandler
Director of Finance

Eric Sandler serves as the Director of Finance for the Water Authority. The finance department is responsible for accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, cash and treasury management, debt management and administration, capital financing, investor and credit rating agency relations, and rate setting and administration. Prior to joining the Water Authority in December 2005, Sandler served as Director of Financial Planning for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

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Michael T. Stift, P.E.
Director of Engineering

Michael Stift is responsible for the regional planning, design, and construction of the Water Authority’s $3.8 billion Capital Improvement Program. Stift joined the Water Authority in 1989 and was named assistant director of engineering in March 1992. Before joining the Water Authority, Stift was a civil and environmental engineer consultant for water, wastewater, groundwater and storm drainage conveyance and control facilities for 12 years. He is a registered civil engineer in the California, Colorado, and Wisconsin.

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Jeff Volberg
Government Relations Manager

Jeff Volberg is responsible for administering the Water Authority's Government Relations Program in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C. He maintains an office for the Water Authority in Sacramento. In addition to tracking and recommending positions on state and federal legislation, he administers the Water Authority's Bay-Delta Program. Also, Volberg works with various coalition groups, such as the California Urban Water Agencies, Association of California Water Agencies, and the California Chamber of Commerce, to advance the Water Authority's interests in the larger water community. Volberg is an attorney with 10 years of experience in working with the California Legislature. He joined the Water Authority in 2005.

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Ken E. Weinberg
Director of Water Resources

Ken Weinberg directs the Water Authority’s long-term water supply planning and water resources management, including water conservation. The Water Resources Department is responsible for implementing the Water Authority's Drought Management Plan. The department also ensures the Water Authority’s projects comply with environmental regulations and assists the agency’s 24 member agencies in implementing water conservation and local water resources projects. In addition, the department has been working on the development of the Water Authority's regional desalination program.

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Marilyn L. Young
Director of Administrative Services

Marilyn Young is responsible for managing a variety of comprehensive Water Authority-wide programs including information systems, geographical information systems, purchasing and warehousing, safety and risk management, and the development and delivery of centralized administrative support. This includes records management systems, building services, and assistance and support to the board of directors. Young joined the Water Authority in 1997 and was named director of administrative services in January 1999.

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