Board Of Directors
Board of Directors Represent the Region’s Water Agencies
The Water Authority’s 22 member agencies are represented through a 34-member Water Authority Board of Directors. At least one director from each agency sits on the Board. The Board establishes and administers policies for the Water Authority, and generally holds its regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month with special workshops and other meetings as needed. The public is invited to attend monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board.
Ethics Training Records
California Senate Bill 827 requires public agencies like the Water Authority to provide public access to ethics training records. To request Water Authority records, contact Board Clerk Kelly Walker at kwalker@sdcwa.org or (858) 522-6614.
Board Officers
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Nick Serrano (Chair)
San Diego, City of
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Frank Hilliker (Vice Chair)
Lakeside Water District
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Teresa Acosta (Secretary)
Carlsbad Municipal Water District
Nick Serrano (Chair)
San Diego, City of
Chair Nick Serrano is the Deputy Chief of Staff for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and has represented the City of San Diego on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors since May 2021. As the youngest and the first LGBTQ+ person to hold the position of Chair, his historic election reflects his lifelong commitment to serving people and promoting collaboration and partnership to address the challenges we face.
Inspired by his parents’ dedication to public service – his mother as a County of San Diego employee for nearly three decades and his father a San Diego Police Officer, Nick began his public service career at just 17-years-old working in public affairs and community relations for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. He went on to serve in various roles in County government — at the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office and the San Diego County Probation Department — before transitioning to municipal government.
In 2014, Nick became an intern in the office of then-San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria, serving the Third Council District. He would go on to serve as the Communications Director during Gloria’s time in the California State Assembly. After successfully running Gloria’s historic campaign for Mayor in 2020, Nick was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff. As such, Nick oversees the office’s communications, community outreach, appointments to City Boards and Commissions, and special projects.
Nick was appointed to the Water Authority by Mayor Gloria, and confirmed unanimously by the San Diego City Council, in May of 2021. Since his time on the Authority, he has been keenly focused on water affordability – particularly for low and middle-income individuals and families – and making sure residents and businesses have access to safe, reliable, and affordable water today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
A lifelong San Diegan, Nick is a graduate of Southwestern College and San Diego State University, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He lives in the East Village neighborhood of Downtown San Diego.
Frank Hilliker (Vice Chair)
Lakeside Water District
Vice Chair Frank Hilliker joined the Water Authority Board in 2007 representing the Lakeside Water District and is among the longest-serving Board members. He currently serves as chair of the Finance Planning Work Group and sits on the Legislation & Public Outreach Committee, Administrative & Finance Committee, Colorado River Strategy Work Group, Labor Contract Work Group, and Board Governance Work Group. He is the past chairman of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce and president of Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs, Inc.
Teresa Acosta (Secretary)
Carlsbad Municipal Water District
Board Secretary Teresa Acosta currently serves as vice chair of the Water Authority’s Legislation and Public Outreach Committee and as a member of the Administrative and Finance Committee. The Carlsbad City Councilmember was appointed to the Board in June 2023 representing the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. She has served as Carlsbad’s District 4 councilmember since 2020. Additionally, she is the First Vice President of the League of California Cities Board of Directors and is scheduled to become its president in September 2026.
Members By District
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Kevin Shin
Carlsbad Municipal Water District
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Teresa Acosta
Carlsbad Municipal Water District
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Mel Katz
Del Mar, City of
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Rick Paul
Escondido, City of
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Kathleen Coates Hedberg PE, MP
Helix Water District
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Joel Scalzitti
Helix Water District
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Frank Hilliker
Lakeside Water District
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Ron Morrison
National City, City of
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Esther Sanchez
Oceanside, City of
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Neal Meyers
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
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Francisco X. Rivera, P.E., T.E.
Otay Water District
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Mark Robak
Otay Water District
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Rocky Qualin
Padre Dam Municipal Water District
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Burt Williams
Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base
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Eric Heidemann
Poway, City of
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Princess Norman
Ramona Municipal Water District
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Evan Wahl
Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District
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Stephen Whitburn
San Diego, City of
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Jim Madaffer
San Diego, City of
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Venus Molina
San Diego, City of
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Valentine Macedo Jr.
San Diego, City of
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Tim Douglass
San Diego, City of
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Jimmy Ayala
San Diego, City of
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Ismahan Abdullahi
San Diego, City of
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Lois Fong-Sakai
San Diego, City of
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Vacant
San Diego, City of
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Nick Serrano
San Diego, City of
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Joy Lyndes
San Dieguito Water District
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Dana Friehauf
Santa Fe Irrigation District
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Steve Castaneda
South Bay Water
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Jennifer Kerschbaum
Vallecitos Water District
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Gary Arant
Valley Center Municipal Water District
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Marty Miller
Vista Irrigation District
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Amy Reeh
Yuima Municipal Water District
Kevin Shin
Carlsbad Municipal Water District
Date Seated on Board: June 12, 2026
Term Expiration Date: June 16, 2032
- Engineering and Operations
- Imported Water
- Carlsbad Municipal Water District
- Board Member, TrueCare
- Board Member, Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
- Board Member/Chairman, The Nowell Family Foundation
- Board Member/President, Studio ACE
- Board Member, SANDAG
- Board Member, North County Dispatch JPA
- Board Member/Chairman, Encina Wastewater Authority
- Marine Corps Veteran
- Retired Fire Captain, City of Culver City
- Father of two wonderful Daughters, Kalea and Leilani
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, CSU San Marcos
- Former Hotel & Restaurant Owner
Teresa Acosta
Carlsbad Municipal Water District
Date Seated on Board: June 19, 2023
Term Expiration Date: January 22, 2027
- Board Secretary
- Administrative and Finance
- Legislation and Public Outreach, Vice Chair
- Hodges Litigation
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Encina Wastewater Authority Board of Directors, Alternate
- Encina Joint Powers JAC, Alternate
- League of California Cities, San Diego County Division, Representative
- League of California Cities Board of Directors
- City of Carlsbad, Councilmember, District 4
- Chamber of Commerce Liaison
- Clean Energy Alliance JPA, Alternate
- Institute for Local Government, Chair of the Board of Directors
- Government Affairs Committee, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Former Chair
- Technology and Advisory Committee, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Former Chair
- MAAC Project, Former Board Member
- National Charity League Del Sol Chapter, Former Board Member & Volunteer
- San Diego Union Tribune, Former Community Advisory Board Member
- MANA de San Diego, Member & Former Mentor
- Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Member
- Sierra Club Member
- Surfrider Foundation, Volunteer
- Carlsbad Senior Center, Former Volunteer
- City of Carlsbad Citizens Academy Graduate
- San Diego County Water Authority Citizens Water Academy Graduate
- Center for Creative Leadership Latina Leaders Program Graduate
- HOPE Leadership Institute Graduate
- Master of Business Administration, Pepperdine University
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Southern California
- MANA National, Ring of Honor Award (2021)
- Committee Chair of the Year, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee (2018)
- Committee Member of the Year, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Technology Affairs Committee (2017)
- Mother-Daughter Award, National Charity League Del Sol Chapter (multiple years)
Mel Katz
Del Mar, City of
Date Seated on Board: March 21, 2018
Term Expiration Date: March 12, 2029
- Imported Water
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- MWD Delegate
- Resource Strategy Work Group
- Board Chair
- Board Vice Chair
- Administrative and Finance
- Audit Committee
- Colorado River Strategy Work Group
- Deannexation Work Group
- Engineering and Operations
- Financial Strategy Work Group
- Imported Water
- Labor Contract Work Group
- Labor Negotiations Work Group
- Legislation and Public Outreach, Chair, Vice Chair & Member
- Project Labor Agreement Work Group
- SANDAG Board of Directors, Representative & Alternate
- Manpower San Diego, Executive Officer
- San Diego Foundation, Executive Board
- San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center, Executive Board
- E3 Civic High, Board Member
- San Diego Rotary Foundation, Board Member emeritus
- San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Former Chair
- San Diego Convention Center Corporation, Former Chair
- The Workforce Partnership Board, Former Chair
- The San Diego Library Commission, Former Chair
- The San Diego Foundation, Board Member
- University Nevada Las Vegas, BS Marketing
Rick Paul
Escondido, City of
Date Seated on Board: October 24, 2024
Term Expiration Date: October 18, 2028
- Imported Water
- Water Planning & Environmental
- Audit Committee
Kathleen Coates Hedberg PE, MP
Helix Water District
Date Seated on Board: February 6, 2025
Term Expiration Date: July 15, 2031
January 11, 2017 – January 25, 2021
- Engineering and Operations
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Water Conservation Garden JPA, Representative
- Hodges Litigation
- Administrative and Finance
- Water Conservation Garden JPA, Alternate
- Water Planning
- SANDAG Committee, Representative
- Regional Planning
- Helix Water District Board Member elected since 2006, Past President
- San Diego Chapter – CA Special District Association, Past President
- ACWA – Water Quality Committee, Communications Committee, Federal Affairs Committees
- Women in Water – ACWA and San Diego Chapter
- Urban Water Institute Board Member
- National Water Resources Association – ACWA Representative
- American Water Works Association Member
- Water Conservation Garden, President
- San Diego County – Valle de Oro Community Planning Group, elected 2022
- Rancho Helix de Oro Fire Safe Council, Founder/President
- Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association, Past President
- Aqualink Water Systems, Past President
- City of La Mesa – Environmental Sustainable Commission
- Registered Civil Engineer with over 30 years working in the water industry
- CA State Drinking Water Program – Engineer/Regulator
- Water Treatment Operator Grade 4
- American Water Works Association – CA/NV Cross-Connection Control Specialist
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona
- Masters in Public Health in Environmental Health, San Diego State University
Joel Scalzitti
Helix Water District
Date Seated on Board: January 11, 2017
Term Expiration Date: August 18, 2031
- Audit Committee
- Imported Water
- Water Planning and Environmental
- SANDAG Board of Directors, Alternate
- SANDAG Regional Planning, Alternate
- San Diego Area Wastewater Management District, Representative
- Audit Committee
- Board Governance Work Group
- Engineering and Operations
- Imported Water
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Helix Water District, Board President
- Lake Jennings Committee Chair
- San Diego Chapter of the WateReuse Association
- East County Economic Development Council – Alternate
- La Mesa Chamber of Commerce
- San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce
- Water Conservation Garden Authority – Alternate Director
Frank Hilliker
Lakeside Water District
Date Seated on Board: January 8, 2007
Term Expiration Date: January 8, 2031
- Board Vice Chair
- Administrative and Finance
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Resource Strategy Work Group
- Hodges Litigation
- Board Secretary
- Administrative and Finance, Chair and Member
- Engineering and Operations, Vice Chair
- Financial Strategy Work Group, Chair
- Fiscal Sustainability Task Force, Chair
- Labor Negotiations Work Group
- Legislation, Conservation and Outreach, Chair, Vice Chair, and Member
- Legislation and Public Outreach, Vice Chair and Member
- San Vicente Project Negotiations Work Group
- Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunities Program (SCOOP), Chair and Member
- Water Conservation Garden JPA
- Board Governance Work Group
- Colorado River Strategy Work Group
- Finance Planning Work Group, Chair
- Labor Contract Work Group
- Lakeside Water District Director
- Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs, Inc. – President
- Young Republican Federation, San Diego- Former President
Ron Morrison
National City, City of
Date Seated on Board: January 22, 2026
Term Expiration Date: March 8, 2032
- Administrative and Finance, Vice Chair
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- SANDAG Regional Planning Committee, Representative
- Engineering & Operations
- Legislation Conservation & Outreach, Vice Chair
- Imported Water
- Water Planning & Environmental
- SANDAG Board, Representative
- Chairman, Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors
- City of National City, Mayor
- President, National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)
- Chair, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
- Twice Past President, California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG)
- Chairman, San Diego Regional Solid Waste Association
- President, San Diego County League of Cities
- President, California Chapter, National Brownfield Association
- served in the U.S. Army
Esther Sanchez
Oceanside, City of
Date Seated on Board: January 22, 2026
Term Expiration Date: December 14, 2028
- Administrative and Finance
- Engineering and Operations
Neal Meyers
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Date Seated on Board: March 20, 2023
Term Expiration Date: August 1, 2026
- Imported Water, Committee Chair
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Settlement Agreement Advisors Working Group
- Hodges Litigation
- Administrative and Finance
- Imported Water, Vice Chair
- Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Director
- Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Vice-President
- Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Standing Finance Committee
- Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Standing Personnel Committee
- Attended many local, regional, state, and out-of-state water conferences and water policy programs in support of safe, reliable, and affordable water supplies.
- Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)
- ACWA Region 10 Member
- ACWA Groundwater Banking Advocacy Group
- Former Member, ACWA Legal Affairs Committee
- CalDesal Association, Associate Member
- Member: The State Bar of California
- Martindale-Hubbell Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards/Top Lawyer, San Diego Magazine
- Special Districts Leadership Academy Graduate and Certificate of Completion
- Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Member
- Escondido Creek Conservancy, Member
- Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, Member
- Challenged Athletes Foundation, Contributor
- Adaptive sports, including co-founder of the San Diego Goalball Club
- Skyline High School, Oakland, California
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Highest Honors
- University of San Diego School of Law
- South Carlsbad Resident for over 40 years
- Activities include a recent Via Ferrata climb in the Tetons, Angel’s Landing Trail at Zion National Park, Half-Dome Yosemite, the “Way Up” and Equine Incline Trails at the OMWD’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve; Travel; Family; Public Service.
Francisco X. Rivera, P.E., T.E.
Otay Water District
Date Seated on Board: October 9, 2025
Term Expiration Date: March 3, 2032
- Engineering and Operations
- Imported Water
- Hodges Litigation
- Administrative and Finance
- Otay Water District Board member
- Engineering, Operations, and Water Resources Committee
- Ad Hoc Salt Creek Golf Course Lease and Property Disposition Committee
- Ad Hoc Employee Negotiations Committee
- Desalination Project Committee
- Recycled Water Agreement Ad Hoc Committee
- Chula Vista Interagency, Otay Water District and Sweetwater Authority Task Force to Develop Recycled Water Opportunities
- San Diego Area Wastewater Management District
- WateReuse Association
- City of Chula Vista, Deputy Director, Deputy City Engineer, Principal Civil Engineer, and City Traffic Engineer
- San Diego Association of Governments Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, Chair
- City of Chula Vista Measure A Public Safety Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee
- Salvation Army South County Advisory Board
- Eastlake III Homeowners Association, Vice President
- Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the United States International University
- licensed civil engineer
- licensed traffic engineer
- American Public Works Association Outstanding Service in a Public Agency Award
- Honors from the City of Chula Vista and the San Diego County Bike Coalition
Mark Robak
Otay Water District
Date Seated on Board: January 23, 2025
Term Expiration Date: January 23, 2032
- Administrative and Finance
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Engineering and Operations
- First elected to Otay Water District in 2024
- Metro Joint Powers Authority
- Water Conservation Garden
- California Special District Association
- Association of California Water Agencies
- WateReuse Association
- East County Chamber of Commerce
- East County Economic Development Council
- South County Economic Development Council
- Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce
- San Diego Chamber of Commerce
- El Cajon Elks Lodge
- San Diego Association of Realtors
- Avid Bicyclist
- San Diego State University, Lifetime Alumni
- American Motorcyclist Association, Lifetime Member
Rocky Qualin
Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Date Seated on Board: August 12, 2024
Term Expiration Date: January 11, 2029
- Administrative and Finance
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Hodges Litigation
- Engineering and Operations
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Padre Dam MWD, Director – Division 5
- Padre Dam Finance & Administrative Services Committee
- Padre Dam Santee Lakes Park Committee
- Lions Camp Jack, Board of Directors
- Santee Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- Sharp Grossmont Hospital Foundation, Board Member
- Education: B.S. Finance, San Diego State University
Burt Williams
Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base
Date Seated on Board: July 14, 2025
Term Expiration Date: January 12, 2032
- Administrative and Finance
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Member of American Society of Civil Engineers
- Active member of St. Michael’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Carlsbad
- Maintains a current Professional Engineer license in the State of Oregon.
- Veteran with over 23 years of federal civilian service. He has served in Japan, Korea, Hawaii, California and Washington DC.
- Master of Science in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School: Ft. McNair, DC,
- Master of Science in Engineering (Water) from California Polytechnic State University: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.
- Graduate of the Department of Defense Senior Leader Development Program.
Eric Heidemann
Poway, City of
Date Seated on Board: May 8, 2020
Term Expiration Date: April 22, 2032
- Colorado River Board, Alternate
- Engineering and Operations, Vice Chair
- Imported Water
- Administrative and Finance, Vice Chair
- Deannexation Work Group, Chair
- Detachment Work Group
- Engineering and Operations
- Imported Water, Chair & Vice Chair
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- SANDAG Regional Planning, Representative
- Water Planning and Environmental, Chair
- City of Poway, Public Works Director
- Metro Wastewater Commission JPA
- American Water Works Association (AWWA)
- American Public Works Association (APWA)
- League of Californian Cities
- University of Arizona, B.S. Business
- University of Arizona, M.S. Urban Planning
Princess Norman
Ramona Municipal Water District
Date Seated on Board: October 9, 2024
Term Expiration Date: August 9, 2028
- Administrative and Finance
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Water Planning and Environmental
- University of CA Cooperative Extension, Master Gardener
- Friends of Ramona Library, Board Director
- Retired – IT Program Manager, City of San Diego
- Master’s Degree – UCLA, Library & Information Science
- Past Volunteer & Docent, Water Conservation Garden
- Past Board Director, Pacific Horticulture Society
- Past Board Secretary, San Diego Horticultural Society
Evan Wahl
Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District
Date Seated on Board: January 23, 2025
Term Expiration Date: June 20, 2032
- Engineering and Operations
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Rincon del Diablo MWD
- ACWA
- CASA
- CSDA
- UWI
- Escondido Sunrise Rotary Club
- North San Diego Business Chamber Board Member
- Military Fellowship Mentor for Biocom
- Carnegie Mellon Admissions Council
With over two decades of leadership experience spanning military and private sectors, Mr. Evan Wahl has served on the Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District Board of Directors, representing Division IV, since July 2023. As Rincon Water’s representative on the Engineering & Long-Range Planning, Public Information & Intergovernmental Relations and Audit Committees, he brings a strategic vision shaped by his extensive career.
Mr. Wahl proudly served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as a Naval Aviator and Infantry Air Officer/Forward Air Controller. Rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he concluded his military career as Managing Director of Operations at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where he oversaw city and airport operations critical to uninterrupted military training and deployments.
Transitioning to the private sector, Mr. Wahl currently serves as Senior Director, Business Management Office at Abzena, a global, fully integrated biologics and bioconjugate contract development and research organization. In this role, he leads a team managing early- and mid-phase large molecule development and GMP manufacturing projects, with the goal of creating lifesaving, cutting-edge medicines for patients.
His diverse career also includes leadership roles such as Vice President of Commercial Pharmaceutical Operations for Carlsbad Technology, General Manager and Senior Director of Operations for Harvest Power, and Director of Project Management and Site Strategy for Catalent Pharma Solutions. He holds an MS in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego, an MBA from Trident University, and a BS in Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Wahl is deeply committed to community service. He has contributed his expertise to multiple boards, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, the North San Diego Business Chamber, the San Diego County Water Authority, alongside his current role at Rincon del Diablo MWD. He is also an active member of the Escondido Sunrise Rotary Club.
A proud resident of San Diego County since 2010, Mr. Wahl has made Escondido his home since 2014. He is a devoted husband to Tammy, celebrating 27 years of marriage and a proud father to two children.
Stephen Whitburn
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: April 25, 2023
Term Expiration Date: January 30, 2027
- Water Planning & Environmental
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Administrative and Finance
- City Councilmember, City of San Diego, District 3
- Chair, Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors
- Chair, Active Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, City of San Diego
- Member, Land Use & Housing Committee, City of San Diego
- Member, Public Safety Committee, City of San Diego
- Immediate Past Chair, San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
- University of Wisconsin Graduate
- UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management, Center for Executive Development – Leadership Certificate
Jim Madaffer
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: November 8, 2012
Term Expiration Date: March 7, 2028
- Colorado River Board, Representative
- Imported Water, Vice Chair
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Resource Strategy Work Group, Chair
- Board Chair
- Board Vice Chair
- Board Secretary (2015-2016)
- Administrative and Finance
- Audit Committee
- Board Governance Work Group
- Colorado River Work Group
- Colorado River Strategy Work Group, Chair
- Finance Planning Work Group
- Financial Strategy Work Group
- Imported Water, Vice Chair
- Legislation, Conservation and Outreach, Vice Chair and Member
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- MWD Litigation Task Force
- MWD Settlement Negotiations Team
- SANDAG Board of Directors, Alternate
- Water Planning
- Vice Chair, Colorado River Board of California
- CEO of Madaffer Enterprises, Inc., a public policy firm specializing in government relations
- Owner, Julian Farm and Orchard – agritourism farm located in Julian, CA
- Owner, Julian Distilling Company
- Member, Rotary Club 33
- California Transportation Commission, Former Commissioner
- League of California Cities, Former President
- SANDAG Transportation Committee, Former Chair
- City of San Diego, Former City Councilmember (2000-2008)
- Selected as “Father of the Year” in 2007 by the Father’s Day Council
- San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce “Legislator of the Year” award recipient
- Selected two times as one of San Diego Magazine’s “Fifty People to Watch”
- San Diego State University “Ambassador for Higher Education Achievement” award recipient
- Private Pilot since 1977
- Certified SCUBA diver since 1974
LEAD San Diego, Graduate, Class of 1989 - Selected as one of the Junior Chamber of Commerce’s “10 Outstanding Young Citizens”
- Boy Scouts of America, Past Board Member
- Boy Scouts of America, “silver Beaver” & “Wood Badge” award recipient
- Urban Corps “FDR Legislator” award recipient
- Building Owners & Managers Association’s “Legislator of the Year” award recipient
- American Heart Association’s “Legislative Heart Partner” award recipient
- Named “Technology Hero” by Technology Training Foundation
Venus Molina
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: March 27, 2025
Term Expiration Date: January 2, 2028
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Water Planning and Environmental
- City Heights Community Development Corporation, Chair
- Chicano Federation Leadership Training Institute, Mentor
- San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Chief of Staff for Councilmember Jennifer Campbell
- 20 years’ experience in community and political relations focused on building strategic partnerships across philanthropy, government, and the private sector
- Dedicated to civic engagement and recognized with honors by the San Diego Regional Chamber Legislative Award
Valentine Macedo Jr.
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: May 22, 2021
Term Expiration Date: March 5, 2027
- Legislation and Public Outreach, Chair
- SANDAG Board of Directors, Alternate
- SANDAG Borders Committee, Alternate
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Labor Work Group
- Engineering and Operations, Vice Chair
- Imported Water
- Water Planning and Environmental
LIUNA, Local 89 – Executive Board Member
San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council – Delegate
San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council
UC San Diego, Master’s Degree Public Policy
UC Riverside, Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering
Tim Douglass
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: January 22, 2026
Term Expiration Date: February 4, 2028
- Administrative & Finance
- Water Planning & Environmental
- Audit Committee
- Elected President of AFSCME Local 127
- Chief Steward, AFSCME local 127
- Member, By-Laws Committee, AFSCME Local 127
- Chair, Finance Committee, AFSCME District Council 36
- Vice President, AFSCME District Council 36
- City of San Diego, 2001, Public Utilities Department, Ranger Diver
- City of San Diego, 2005, Reservoir Management of Lake Hodges.
- City of San Diego, 2007, member of the Boat Operator Series, the Marine Biology Ocean Monitoring Program
- Member, Executive Board, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
- State of California Safety committee member for labor Relations
- Santa Barbara Community College, two-year trade program in Marine Diving Technology, including commercial hard hat diving, underwater welding, marine survey work, remote control vehicle operations, salvage, rigging, and seamanship skills.
- San Diego State University, Criminal Justice program
Jimmy Ayala
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: June 26, 2025
Term Expiration Date: March 05, 2027
- Imported Water
- Administrative & Finance
- Administrative & Finance, Vice Chair
- Water Planning & Environmental
- Engineering & Operations
- Founder Vivienda Advisors
- Division President for Tri Pointe Homes San Diego 2015 – 2023
- Pardee Homes Vice President of Project Management to Division President
- Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Board of Directors
- San Diego State University, Master in Business Administration
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
Ismahan Abdullahi
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: January 25, 2021
Term Expiration Date: February 24, 2031
- Administrative and Finance, Chair
- Engineering and Operations
- Labor Work Group
- Finance Agency JPA, Vice President
- Administrative and Finance, Vice Chair
- Board Governance Work Group
- Finance Planning Work Group
- GC Selection Committee
- Muslim American Society – Public Affairs and Civic
- Engagement, Executive Director
- ENGAGE San Diego
- Power California
- California Calls
- Human Biology, UCSD
- Masters in Education, Counseling/Community Advocate
Lois Fong-Sakai
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: April 23, 2015
Term Expiration Date: October 27, 2030
- Engineering and Operations, Vice Chair
- Imported Water
- MWD Delegate
- Administrative and Finance
- Engineering and Operations, Chair & Vice Chair
- Imported Water, Interim Chair, Vice Chair, and Member
- Labor Negotiations Work Group
- Water Planning
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Water for People
- American Water Works Association
- Society of Women Engineers
- California Water Environment Association
- Water Environment Association
- Asian Business Association
- National Charity League
- Promises 2 Kids Foundation
- LEAD San Diego
- National Association of Parliamentarians
- California State Association of Parliamentarians
- City of Poway Oversight Board to the Successor Agency of the Poway – Redevelopment Agency
- Polinsky Childrens’ Center Advisory Board
- M.S. Civil & Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley
- B.S. Chemistry, UC Berkeley
- Licensed Civil Engineer – California & Nevada
Vacant
San Diego, City of
Term Expiration Date: July 15, 2028
- Engineering and Operations
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Labor Work Group
Nick Serrano
San Diego, City of
Date Seated on Board: May 21, 2021
Term Expiration Date: May 2, 2027
- Board Chair
- Administrative and Finance
- Imported Water
- Resource Strategy Work Group
- Finance Agency JPA, President
- Board Vice Chair
- Colorado River Strategy Work Group
- Deannexation Work Group
- Detachment Work Group
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Project Labor Agreement Work Group, Chair
- SANDAG Board of Directors, Alternate
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Deputy Chief of Staff to San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
- Former Communications Director in the California State Assembly
- Former Communications Director at the City of San Diego
- Native San Diegan
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University
Joy Lyndes
San Dieguito Water District
Date Seated on Board: January 15, 2023
Term Expiration Date: December 21, 2026
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Resource Strategy Work Group
- SANDAG Board, Representative
- Board Secretary
- San Dieguito Water District, President
- Encina Wastewater Authority, Board Chair
- San Dieguito WD Water Conservation Subcommittee
- City of Encinitas, District 3
- Licensed Landscape Architect
- Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FASLA)
- Eco-district Accredited Professional
- San Diego County Regional Native Plant Working Group
- SANDAG Regional Habitat Conservation Task Force
- Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Arizona
Dana Friehauf
Santa Fe Irrigation District
Date Seated on Board: January 6, 2025
Term Expiration Date: December 13, 2026
- Engineering and Operations
- Water Planning and Environmental, Vice Chair
- Resource Strategy Work Group
- Audit Committee
- Labor Work Group
- Association of California Water Agencies: Board Member and current Vice-Chair of the ACWA Region 10 Board
- California Special District Association
- Santa Fe Irrigation District, Board Member
- League of Women Voters of San Diego, Past Board Member
- Friends of Solana Beach Library, Board Member
- Voices for Children, Past Court Appointed Special Advocate for a foster youth
- Retired Water Resources Manager, San Diego County Water Authority, 30+ year career working on state, regional and local water supply planning and policy.
- B.S. in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University
- Professional Civil Engineer (Retired)
Steve Castaneda
South Bay Water
Date Seated on Board: January 24, 2023
Term Expiration Date: September 8, 2030
- Audit, Chair
- Imported Water
- SANDAG Borders, Representative
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Engineering and Operations
Jennifer Kerschbaum
Vallecitos Water District
Date Seated on Board: August 28, 2025
Term Expiration Date: March 13, 2028
- Administrative and Finance
- Imported Water
- Vallecitos Water District, Division 4
- Registered Civil Engineer
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UCLA
Jennifer Kerschbaum is a registered civil engineer with nearly 20 years’ experience delivering infrastructure solutions across public and private sectors. Her professional background spans water resources design, environmental engineering, and construction management. For more than a decade, she worked in land development, designing numerous water, sewer, and storm drain systems now serving communities throughout San Diego County. She also served as a Navy Civilian Engineer at Camp Pendleton, where she managed a $370 million construction program which included barracks, dining facilities, and a wastewater treatment plant. She currently works as a Senior Project Engineer for a local consulting firm.
Beyond her professional work, she is a dedicated community volunteer. She has held several leadership roles in parent-teacher organizations and has served in appointed positions with public agencies, including the City of San Marcos and Clean Energy Alliance. Ms. Kerschbaum resides in San Marcos with her husband and three children.
Gary Arant
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Date Seated on Board: April 18, 2006
Term Expiration Date: January 13, 2032
- Administrative and Finance, Vice Chair
- Engineering and Operations
- Settlement Agreement Advisors
- Hodges Litigation
- Labor Work Group
- Administrative and Finance, Chair, Vice Chair, and Member
- Engineering and Operations, Chair and Member
- Financial Strategy Work Group
- Finance Planning Work Group
- Fiscal Sustainability Task Force
- Imported Water, Vice Chair and Member
- Labor Contract Work Group
- Legislation, Conservation and Outreach
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- San Vicente Energy Task Force
- San Vicente Project Negotiations Work Group
- Water Conservation Garden JPA, Representative
- Water Planning
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Valley Center Municipal Water District, General Manager
- American Water Works Association, California Section Member
- Association of California Water Agencies, Board Member, Energy Committee Member and Past Chair and Member of Agricultural Committee, Communications Committee and Local Government Committee
- San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, Past Chairperson, Past Vice Chairperson, and Past Member
- Past Vice Chair – Local Agency Formation Commission Special Districts Advisory Committee
- Community Lutheran Church, Escondido Member, Praise Leader
- Assistant to General Manager, Walnut Valley Water District (1973-1980)
- General Manager/Secretary to the Board, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, Escondido, California (1980-1989)
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science – California State University, Fullerton
- Master of Public Administration – California State University, Fullerton
- Institute for Water And Wastewater Management, University of Southern California
Marty Miller
Vista Irrigation District
Date Seated on Board: November 28, 2011
Term Expiration Date: November 22, 2029
- Imported Water
- Water Planning and Environmental, Chair
- Resource Strategy Work Group
- MWD Delegate
- MWD Finance, Affordability, Asset Management and Efficiency Committee, Chair
- MWD Ad Hoc Committee on Colorado River Negotiations, Chair
- Administrative and Finance, Chair
- Board Governance Work Group
- Engineering and Operations, Chair, Vice Chair and Member
- Finance Planning Work Group
- Financial Strategy Work Group
- Imported Water, Chair
- Labor Contract Work Group, Chair
- Labor Negotiation Work Group, Chair
- Legislation, Conservation and Outreach
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- San Vicente Energy Task Force
- San Vicente Project Negotiations Work Group
- Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunities Program (SCOOP)
- Water Planning
- Member and Former President of Vista Optimist Club
- Rancho Buena Vista Little League Board Member
- Graduated from College of Southern Idaho
Amy Reeh
Yuima Municipal Water District
Date Seated on Board: April 15, 2020
Term Expiration Date: January 13, 2028
- Engineering and Operations, Chair
- Legislation and Public Outreach, Vice Chair
- Administrative and Finance
- Audit Committee, Chair
- Engineering and Operations
- Legislation and Public Outreach
- Water Planning and Environmental
- Yuima Municipal Water District, General Manager
- Upper San Luis Rey Groundwater Management Authority, Administrator
- Upper San Luis Rey Resource Conservation District, General Manager
- San Diego LAFCO Special District, Resource Conservation District Ad-Hoc Committee Member
- ACWA Nominating Committee
- American Water Works Association
- Californian Rural Water Association
- Yuima Municipal Water District, Assistant GM/Finance Manager
- Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District Financial Analyst
- Government Finance Officers Association
- California Society of Municipal Finance Officers
Jim Desmond
County of San Diego – County Representative (non-voting member)
Roster of Committees, Task Forces, and Other Appointments
Committees
Administrative & Finance Committee
Ismahan Abdullahi – Chair
Gary Arant – Vice Chair
Jennifer Kerschbaum – Vice Chair
Teresa Acosta
Jimmy Ayala
Tim Douglass
Frank Hilliker
Ron Morrison
Princess Norman
Rocky Qualin
Mark Robak
Esther Sanchez
Nick Serrano
Burt Williams
Engineering & Operations Committee
Amy Reeh – Chair
Lois Fong-Sakai – Vice Chair
Eric Heidemann – Vice Chair
Ismahan Abdullahi
Gary Arant
Kathleen Coates Hedberg
Jim Desmond
Dana Friehauf
Francisco X. Rivera
Esther Sanchez
Kevin Shin
Evan Wahl
Stephen Whitburn
City of San Diego, Vacant
Imported Water Committee
Neal Meyers – Chair
Mel Katz – Vice Chair
Jim Madaffer – Vice Chair
Jimmy Ayala
Steve Castaneda
Lois Fong-Sakai
Eric Heidemann
Jennifer Kerschbaum
Marty Miller
Rick Paul
Francisco X. Rivera
Joel Scalzitti
Nick Serrano
Kevin Shin
Legislation & Public Outreach Committee
Valentine Macedo, Jr. – Chair
Teresa Acosta – Vice Chair
Amy Reeh – Vice Chair
Frank Hilliker
Mel Katz
Joy Lyndes
Jim Madaffer
Venus Molina
Ron Morrison
Princess Norman
Rocky Qualin
Stephen Whitburn
Burt Williams
City of San Diego, Vacant
Water Planning & Environmental Committee
Marty Miller – Chair
Dana Friehauf – Vice Chair
Joel Scalzitti – Vice Chair
Steve Castaneda
Kathleen Coates Hedberg
Jim Desmond
Tim Douglass
Joy Lyndes
Valentine Macedo, Jr.
Neal Meyers
Venus Molina
Rick Paul
Mark Robak
Evan Wahl
Audit Committee
Steve Castaneda – Chair
Tim Douglass
Dana Friehauf
Rick Paul
Joel Scalzitti
Work Groups
Labor Work Group
Ismahan Abdullahi – Chair
Gary Arant
Jimmy Ayala
Dana Friehauf
Frank Hilliker
Valentine Macedo, Jr.
City of San Diego, Vacant
Resource Strategy Work Group
Jim Madaffer – Chair
Dana Friehauf
Frank Hilliker
Mel Katz
Joy Lyndes
Marty Miller
Nick Serrano
Settlement Agreement Advisors
Gary Arant
Neal Meyers
Hodges Litigation Committee
Gary Arant, Chair
Teresa Acosta
Kathleen Coates Hedberg
Eric Heideman
Frank Hilliker
Neal Meyers
Rocky Qualin
Francisco Rivera
Other Appointments
SDCWA Finance Agency JPA
Nick Serrano – President (Chair of Board)
Ismahan Abdullahi – Vice President (Chair of A&F)
SANDAG Board
Joy Lyndes, Representative
Joel Scalzitti, Alternate
Valentine Macedo, Jr., Alternate
SANDAG Borders Committee
Steve Castaneda, Representative
Valentine Macedo, Jr., Alternate
SANDAG Regional Planning Committee
Vacant – Representative
Joel Scalzitti, Alternate
San Diego Area Wastewater Management District
Joel Scalzitti, Representative
Water Conservation Garden JPA
Kathleen Coates Hedberg, Representative
MWD Delegates
Lois Fong-Sakai
Mel Katz
Marty Miller
Dan Denham, General Manager
Colorado River Board
Jim Madaffer, Representative
Eric Heidemann, Alternate
Committees as of January 23, 2026
*Interim assignment