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Board Member

Amanda Flesse (Carlsbad Municipal Water District)

Date Seated on Board: February 27, 2025

Term Expiration Date: June 16, 2026

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Imported Water
  • Hodges Litigation
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Carlsbad Municipal Water District, General Manager
  • AWWA
  • Water Reuse
Other:

Amanda Flesse is a registered Professional Engineer with a degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. She began her career in land development and flood control in the Las Vegas area before moving to Santa Barbara, where she spent 20 years in the public sector working in transportation, construction, water, and wastewater before moving to the City of Carlsbad to become the new Utilities Director. As Utilities Director, Amanda is in charge of a 268-mile gravity collection system with 11 lift stations and 457 miles of potable water distribution system, as well as 92 miles of recycled water distribution system.

 

Amy Reeh (Yuima Municipal Water District)

Date Seated on Board: April 15, 2020

Term Expiration Date: January 13, 2028

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations, Chair
  • Legislation and Public Outreach, Vice Chair
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Audit Committee, Chair
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • 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
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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

Burt Williams (Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base)

Date Seated on Board: July 14, 2025

Term Expiration Date: January 12, 2032

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Member of American Society of Civil Engineers
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Active member of St. Michael’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Carlsbad
  • Maintains a current Professional Engineer license in the State of Oregon
Other:
  • Veteran with over 23 years of federal civilian service. He has served in Japan, Korea, Hawaii, California and Washington, D.C.
  • Master of Science in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School: Ft. McNair, D.C.
  • 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

Dana Friehauf (Santa Fe Irrigation District)

Date Seated on Board: January 6, 2023

Term Expiration Date: December 13, 2026

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Water Planning and Environmental, Vice Chair
  • Resource Strategy Work Group
  • Audit Committee
  • Labor Work Group
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Association of California Water Agencies: Board Member, Chair of ACWA Region 10, Past Vice-Chair of Region 10, Member of Finance Committee
  • California Special District Association
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Santa Fe Irrigation District, Board Member
  • League of Women Voters of San Diego, Board Member
  • Friends of Solana Beach Library, Board Member
  • Voices for Children, Past Court Appointed Special Advocate for a foster youth
Other:
  • 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)

Eric Heidemann (Poway, City of)

Date Seated on Board: May 8, 2020

Term Expiration Date: April 22, 2032

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Colorado River Board, Alternate
  • Engineering and Operations, Vice Chair
  • Imported Water
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • 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
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • City of Poway, Public Works Director
  • Metro Wastewater Commission JPA
Professional and Community Activities:
  • American Water Works Association (AWWA)
  • American Public Works Association (APWA)
  • League of Californian Cities
Other:
  • University of Arizona, B.S. Business
  • University of Arizona, M.S. Urban Planning

Esther Sanchez (Oceanside, City of)

Date Seated on Board: January 22, 2026

Term Expiration Date: December 14, 2028

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Engineering and Operations

Evan Wahl (Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District)

Date Seated on Board: January 23, 2025

Term Expiration Date: June 20, 2026

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Rincon del Diablo MWD
  • ACWA
  • CASA
  • CSDA
  • UWI
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Escondido Sunrise Rotary Club
  • North San Diego Business Chamber Board Member
  • Military Fellowship Mentor for Biocom
  • Carnegie Mellon Admissions Council
Other:

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.

Francisco X. Rivera (Otay Water District)

Date Seated on Board: October 9, 2025

Term Expiration Date: March 3, 2032

Prior Representation:

 

 

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Imported Water
  • Hodges Litigation

 

Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance

 

Water Industry Affiliations:

 

 

Professional and Community Activities:

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

Frank Hilliker (Lakeside Water District)

Date Seated on Board: January 8, 2007

Term Expiration Date: January 8, 2031

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Board Vice Chair
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Resource Strategy Work Group
  • Hodges Litigation
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • 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
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Lakeside Water District Director
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs, Inc. – President
  • Young Republican Federation, San Diego – Former President

Gary Arant (Valley Center Municipal Water District)

Date Seated on Board: April 18, 2006

Term Expiration Date: January 13, 2032

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance, Vice Chair
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Settlement Agreement Advisors
  • Hodges Litigation
  • Labor Work Group
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • 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
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • 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
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Past Vice Chair – Local Agency Formation Commission Special Districts Advisory Committee
  • Community Lutheran Church, Escondido Member, Praise Leader
Other:
  • 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

Ismahan Abdullahi (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: January 25, 2021

Term Expiration Date: February 24, 2031

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance, Chair
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Labor Work Group
  • Finance Agency JPA, Vice President
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance, Vice Chair
  • Board Governance Work Group
  • Finance Planning Work Group
  • GC Selection Committee
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Administrative and Finance, Vice Chair
  • Board Governance Work Group
  • Finance Planning Work Group
  • GC Selection Committee
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Muslim American Society – Public Affairs and Civic
  • Engagement, Executive Director
  • ENGAGE San Diego
  • Power California
  • California Calls
Other:
  • Human Biology, UCSD
  • Masters in Education, Counseling/Community Advocate

Jennifer Kerschbaum (Vallecitos Water District)

Date Seated on Board: August 28, 2025

Term Expiration Date: March 13, 2028

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Imported Water
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Vallecitos Water District, Division 4
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Registered Civil Engineer
  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UCLA
Other:

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.

Jerry Butkiewicz (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: December 5, 2016

Term Expiration Date: July 15, 2028

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Labor Work Group
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Board Secretary
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Colorado River Work Group
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Imported Water
  • Labor Negotiations Work Group
  • Labor Contract Work Group
  • Legislation and Public Outreach, Chair and Member
  • MWD Litigation Task Force
  • MWD Settlement Negotiations Team
  • San Vicente Energy Task Force
  • San Vicente Project Negotiations Work Group
  • Water Planning and Environmental
  • MWD Delegate
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), Prior Board Member
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Sempra Energy Utilities, External Affairs
  • Labor Council, Secretary/Treasurer
  • San Diego Greater Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
  • United Way of San Diego, Labor Liaison
  • San Diego Workforce Partnership
  • Environmental Health Coalition, Board Member
  • State Workforce Investment, Board Member

Jim Desmond (County of San Diego - County Representative (non-voting member))

Jim Madaffer (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: November 8, 2012

Term Expiration Date: March 7, 2028

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Colorado River Board, Representative
  • Imported Water, Vice Chair
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Resource Strategy Work Group, Chair
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • 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
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Vice Chair, Colorado River Board of California
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • 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

Jimmy Ayala (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: June 26, 2025

Term Expiration Date: March 5, 2027

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Imported Water
  • Administrative & Finance
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative & Finance, Vice Chair
  • Water Planning & Environmental
  • Engineering & Operations
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • San Diego State University, Master in Business Administration
  • California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning

Joel Scalzitti (Helix Water District)

Date Seated on Board: January 11, 2017

Term Expiration Date: August 18, 2031

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Audit Committee
  • Imported Water
  • Water Planning and Environmental
  • SANDAG Board of Directors, Alternate
  • SANDAG Regional Planning, Alternate
  • San Diego Area Wastewater Management District, Representative
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Audit Committee
  • Board Governance Work Group
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Imported Water
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Helix Water District, Board President
  • Lake Jennings Committee Chair
  • San Diego Chapter of the WateReuse Association
Professional and Community Activities:
  • East County Economic Development Council – Alternate
  • La Mesa Chamber of Commerce
  • San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce
  • Water Conservation Garden Authority – Alternate Director

Joy Lyndes (San Dieguito Water District)

Date Seated on Board: January 15, 2023

Term Expiration Date: December 21, 2026

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Water Planning and Environmental
  • Resource Strategy Work Group
  • SANDAG Board, Representative
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Board Secretary
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • San Dieguito Water District, President
  • Encina Wastewater Authority, Board Chair
  • San Dieguito WD Water Conservation Subcommittee
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Arizona

Kathleen Coates Hedberg PE, MP (Helix Water District)

Date Seated on Board: February 6, 2025

Term Expiration Date: July 15, 2031

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Water Planning and Environmental
  • Water Conservation Garden JPA, Representative
  • Hodges Litigation
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Water Conservation Garden JPA, Alternate
  • Water Planning
  • SANDAG Committee, Representative
  • Regional Planning
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • 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
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • 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

Lois Fong-Sakai (San Diego, City)

Date Seated on Board: April 23, 2015

Term Expiration Date: October 27, 2030

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations, Vice Chair
  • Imported Water
  • MWD Delegate
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • 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 Industry Affiliations:
  • Water for People
  • American Water Works Association
  • Society of Women Engineers
  • California Water Environment Association
  • Water Environment Association
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • M.S. Civil & Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley
  • B.S. Chemistry, UC Berkeley
  • Licensed Civil Engineer – California & Nevada

Mark Robak (Otay Water District)

Date Seated on Board: January 23, 2025

Term Expiration Date: January 23, 2032

Prior Representation:

 

 

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations

 

Water Industry Affiliations:
  • 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

 

Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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

 

Other:
  • Avid Bicyclist
  • San Diego State University, Lifetime Alumni
  • American Motorcyclist Association, Lifetime Member

 

 

 

Mel Katz (Del Mar, City of)

Date Seated on Board: March 21, 2018

Term Expiration Date: March 12, 2029

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Imported Water
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • MWD Delegate
  • Resource Strategy Work Group
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • 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
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • University Nevada Las Vegas, BS Marketing

Neal Meyers (Olivenhain Municipal Water District)

Date Seated on Board: March 20, 2023

Term Expiration Date: August 1, 2026

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Imported Water, Committee Chair
  • Water Planning and Environmental
  • Settlement Agreement Advisors Working Group
  • Hodges Litigation
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Imported Water, Vice Chair
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • 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
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • 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.

Nick Serrano (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: May 21, 2021

Term Expiration Date: May 2, 2027

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Board Chair
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Imported Water
  • Resource Strategy Work Group
  • Finance Agency JPA, President
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • 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
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • Native San Diegan
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University

Princess Norman (Ramona Municipal Water District)

Date Seated on Board: October 9, 2024

Term Expiration Date: August 9, 2028

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Professional and Community Activities:
  • University of CA Cooperative Extension, Master Gardener
  • Friends of Ramona Library, Board Director
Other:
  • 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

Rick Paul (Escondido, City of)

Date Seated on Board: October 24, 2024

Term Expiration Date: October 18, 2028

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Imported Water
  • Water Planning & Environmental
  • Audit Committee

Rocky Qualin (Padre Dam Municipal Water District)

Date Seated on Board: August 12, 2024

Term Expiration Date: January 11, 2029

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Hodges Litigation
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Padre Dam MWD, Director – Division 5
  • Padre Dam Finance & Administrative Services Committee
  • Padre Dam Santee Lakes Park Committee
Professional and Community Activities:
  • Lions Camp Jack, Board of Directors
  • Santee Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
  • Sharp Grossmont Hospital Foundation, Board Member
Other:
  • Education: B.S. Finance, San Diego State University

Ron Morrison (National City, City of)

Date Seated on Board: January 22, 2026

Term Expiration Date: March 8, 2032

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative and Finance, Vice Chair
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • SANDAG Regional Planning Committee, Representative
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations
  • Legislation, Conservation and Outreach, Vice Chair
  • Imported Water
  • Water Planning & Environmental
  • SANDAG Board, Representative
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • Chairman, Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • Served in U.S. Army

Stephen Whitburn (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: April 25, 2023

Term Expiration Date: January 30, 2027

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Water Planning & Environmental
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Water Planning and Environmental
  • Administrative and Finance
Professional and Community Activities:
  • San Diego City Council, Division 3
  • City of San Diego Audit Committee Chair
  • City of San Diego Land Use and Housing Committee Member
  • City of San Diego Community and Neighborhood Services Committee Member
  • MTS Board of Directors, Vice Chair
  • San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission, Vice Chair
  • SANDAG Regional Planning Committee Member
  • League of Cities Executive Committee Member
  • Regional Task Force on the Homeless Continuum of Care Advisory Board Member
Other:
  • University of Wisconsin Graduate
  • UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management, Center for Executive Development – Leadership Certificate

Steve Castaneda (South Bay Water)

Date Seated on Board: January 24, 2023

Term Expiration Date: September 8, 2030

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Audit, Chair
  • Imported Water
  • SANDAG Borders, Representative
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations

Teresa Acosta (Secretary)

Date Seated on Board: June 19, 2023

Term Expiration Date: January 22, 2027

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Board Secretary
  • Administrative and Finance
  • Legislation and Public Outreach, Vice Chair
  • Hodges Litigation
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Water Industry Affiliations:
  • 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
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
  • The 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
Other:
  • 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)

Tim Douglass (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: January 22, 2026

Term Expiration Date: February 4, 2028

Prior Representation:

 

 

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Administrative & Finance
  • Water Planning & Environmental
  • Audit Committee
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:

 

 

Water Industry Affiliations:

 

 

Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • 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

 

 

 

Valentine Macedo Jr. (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: May 22, 2021

Term Expiration Date: March 5, 2027

Prior Representation:

 

 

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Legislation and Public Outreach, Chair
  • SANDAG Board of Directors, Alternate
  • SANDAG Borders Committee, Alternate
  • Water Planning and Environmental
  • Labor Work Group
Past Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Engineering and Operations, Vice Chair
  • Imported Water
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Water Industry Affiliations:

 

 

Professional and Community Activities:
  • LIUNA, Local 89 – Executive Board Member
  • San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council – Delegate
  • San Diego Building & Construction Trades Council

 

Other:
  • UC San Diego, Master’s Degree Public Policy
  • UC Riverside, Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering

 

 

 

Venus Molina (San Diego, City of)

Date Seated on Board: March 27, 2025

Term Expiration Date: January 2, 2028

Current Water Authority Committee Appointments:
  • Legislation and Public Outreach
  • Water Planning and Environmental
Professional and Community Activities:
  • 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
Other:
  • 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
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