2023 Region Elections

ACWA’s membership is organized into 10 regions, each of which has a Board of Directors comprised of five to seven members who serve two-year terms. Voting has concluded for ACWA’s region elections to determine the boards of each region, including the region Chair, Vice Chair and three to five board members.

Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the region officers here. Click on the “Region Election Results” dropdown below to view the region officers for the 2024-’25 term.

Region Election Results

The following 2024-’25 region board officers will begin their term Jan. 1, 2024, and serve until Dec. 31, 2025. More information on the ACWA region election results is available here.

Region 1

Chair: Elizabeth Salomone, General Manager, Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District

Vice Chair: Jennifer Burke, Water Director, Santa Rosa Water

Board Members:

  • Tamara Alaniz, General Manager, Brooktrails Township Community Services District
  • Dennis Mayo, President, McKinleyville Community Services District
  • David Rabbitt, Director, Sonoma Water
  • Bruce Rupp, Director, Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District

Region 2

Chair: Eric F. Larrabee, Vice President, Western Canal Water District

Vice Chair: Josh Watkins, Water Utility Manager, City of Redding

Board Members:

  • David Coxey, General Manager, Bella Vista Water District
  • Sean Earley, General Manager, Richvale Irrigation District
  • Adam Robin, Government Relations Manager, Yuba Water Agency
  • Dean Sherrill, Regulatory Officer, Rio Alto Water District
  • Tony Thomasy, Water Department Superintendent, City of Shasta Lake

Region 3

Chair: Larry McKenney, General Manager, Amador Water Agency

Vice Chair: Michael Saunders, Director, Georgetown Divide Public Utility District

Board Members:

  • Jim Abercrombie, General Manager, El Dorado Irrigation District
  • Sean Barclay, General Manager, Tahoe City Public Utility District
  • Jennifer Hanson, General Manager, Nevada Irrigation District
  • Michael Minkler, General Manager, Calaveras County Water District
  • Jessica Self, General Manager, Union Public Utility District

Region 4

Chair: Brian Sanders, Policy & Legislative Specialist, City of Sacramento Department of Utilities

Vice Chair: Kristin Sicke, General Manager, Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District

Board Members:

  • Ronald Davis, Director, Carmichael Water District
  • Cary Keaten, General Manager, Solano Irrigation District
  • Thomas D. Orvis, President, Oakdale Irrigation District
  • Andrew Watkins, Director, Stockton East Water District
  • David Weisenberger, General Manager, Banta-Carbona Irrigation District

Region 5

Chair: John L. Varela, Chair, Valley Water

Vice Chair: Sarah Palmer, Director, Zone 7 Water Agency

Board Members:

  • Mary Bannister, Director, Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency
  • John Muller, President, Coastside County Water District
  • John H. Weed, Director, Alameda County Water District
  • Floyd Wicks, Director, Montecito Water District

Region 6

Chair: Deanna Jackson, Executive Director, Tri-County Water Authority

Vice Chair: Sargeant J. Green, Director, Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District

Board Members:

  • Brian Davis, Director, Madera Irrigation District
  • Ross Franson, Director, Westlands Water District
  • Charlotte Gallock, Director of Water Resources, Kings River Conservation District
  • Justin Rowe, Sr. Director Finance, Strategy & Govt. Affairs, Dudley Ridge Water District
  • Darcy Villere, Director, Firebaugh Canal Water District

Region 7

Chair: Sheridan Nicholas, Engineer-Manger, Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District

Vice Chair: Tom Barcellos, President, Lower Tule River Irrigation District

Board Members:

  • Johnny Amaral, Chief of External Affairs, Friant Water Authority
  • Byron Glennan, President, Rosamond Community Services District
  • Kris Lawrence, General Manager, Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District
  • Thomas Neisler, General Manager, Tehachapi Cummings County Water District
  • Trenton Taylor, Water Resources Manager, Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District

Region 8

Chair: Anthony R. Fellow, Vice President, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water

Vice Chair: William Cooper, Director, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency

Board Members:

  • Frank Colcord, Director, Foothill Municipal Water District
  • Robert Lewis, Director, Rowland Water District
  • John T. Morris, Director, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
  • Leonard E. Polan, Director, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
  • Scott Quady, Director, Calleguas Municipal Water District

Region 9

Chair: G. Patrick O’Dowd, Executive Director, Salton Sea Authority

Vice Chair: Carol Lee Gonzales-Brady, Vice President, Rancho California Water District

Board Members:

  • Brenda Dennstedt, Director, Western Municipal Water District
  • Gina Dockstader, Director, Imperial Irrigation District
  • James Morales Jr., Vice Chairman, East Valley Water District
  • Paul Ortega, President, Desert Water Agency
  • Harvey Ryan, Director, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District

Region 10

Chair: Dana Friehauf, Director, Santa Fe Irrigation District

Vice Chair: Charles T. Gibson, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

Board Members:

  • Jennifer DeMeo, Vice President, Fallbrook Public Utility District
  • Marice H. DePasquale, Vice President, Mesa Water District
  • Jose Martinez, General Manager, Otay Water District
  • George Murdoch, Vice President, East Orange County Water District
  • Deborah Neev, Commissioner, Laguna Beach County Water District

Suggested Resources

15 RESOURCES prev next
Draft Extended Arrearage Program Guidelines – Comment Letter

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject:Comment Letter – Draft Extended Arrearage Program Guidelines Letter excerpt: The Association of California Water […]

Request to Veto AB 249 (Holden)

To: The Honorable Gavin Newsom Subject: AB 249 (Holden) – REQUEST FOR VETO Letter excerpt: The Association of California Water […]

Priority Issues Bulletin

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the SADW Fund

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comment Letter – Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe and […]

Federal Legislative Matrix

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Joint Comment Letter on Direct Potable Reuse Regulations

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Direct Potable Reuse Regulations (SBDDW-23-001) Letter excerpt: The increasing volatility of climate change across […]

2023 Water Professionals Appreciation Week

California’s Water Professionals Appreciation Week will kick off Oct. 7, highlighting the important role of water industry professionals and local […]

Federal Regulatory Issues Chart

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Regulatory Roundup

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Making Conservation a California Way of Life Call to Action

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Making Conservation a Way of Life Regulation

ACWA’s Making Conservation a California Way of Life Fact Sheet provides a summary of the State Water Board’s draft regulatory […]

Comments on Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program

Agency: California Energy Commission Subject: Association of California Water Agencies’ Comments on Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program Draft Guidelines and […]

Draft 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comment Letter – Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe […]

State Water Board Water Use Objective Exploration Tool

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: State Water Board Water Use Objective Exploration Tool Letter excerpt: With the State […]

Petition to the California Fish and Game Commission for a Regulation Change Regarding the Striped Bass Slot Limit

Agency: California Fish and Game Commission Subject: Petition to the California Fish and Game Commission for a Regulation Change Regarding the […]

Suggested News

15 Articles prev next
ACWA Statement on the Passing of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

SACRAMENTO – Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) released the following statement today on the passing of longtime U.S. Sen. […]

Roseville Gets $8 Million Grant for Two New Groundwater Wells

In a proactive move to address the challenges posed by climate change and to align with statewide water management objectives, […]

Roseville’s Utility Exploration Center Undergoing Full Exhibit Revamp

The revamped learning center will continue to inspire change and environmental stewardship in the world of utilities  After years of […]

EMWD Highlights Future-Focused Investments During State of The District

PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) hosted its State of the District event today, providing its key stakeholders with […]

Water Industry Careers Highlighted by Student Write Off Contest Winners

PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District has announced the winners for its annual Write Off contest, in which area students […]

State Water Contractors and Coalition Issue Support Letter for the VAs

SACRAMENTO – The State Water Contractors and the below water agencies and organizations issued a letter in support of the Voluntary Agreements […]

Nation’s Largest Statewide Public Water Agency Coalition Elects Leadership for 2024-‘25

SACRAMENTO – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today announced the results of an election for its top leadership, […]

ACWA Board Officers’ Election and Region Election Results Announced for the 2024-’25 Term

ACWA members have elected Cathy Green as President and Ernesto “Ernie” Avila as Vice President for the 2024-’25 term. The […]

EPA Announces Availability of $20 Million in Grants to Create Water Career Opportunities

WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of over $20 million in grant funding […]

State Delivers $55 Million to Sacramento Water Agencies to Support Water Resilience

SACRAMENTO – To help combat climate change and drought impacts on regional water supplies, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) […]

MSWD Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Mission Springs Water District is pleased to announce that the Government Finance Officers Association has awarded the District a Distinguished […]

Westlands Water District Clears Key Milestone Toward Groundwater Recharge Goal

FRESNO – Westlands Water District (District) has surpassed the halfway point towards it recharge goals recharging 127,000 acre feet (af) […]

DWR Releases Draft Water Plan Update 2023

SACRAMENTO — From severe, multi-year droughts to sudden flooding, California is experiencing the impacts of the intensifying climate crisis. To […]

Agencies Can Apply Now for Funding Through State Instream Flow Water Purchase Program

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) are accepting applications for the […]

Local Water Agencies Awarded Efficiency Funding

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – Stockton East Water District, North San Joaquin Water Conservation District, and South San Joaquin Irrigation District […]