Matt Webb

President 
Albert A. Webb & Associates

Matthew Webb, President and member of the Board of Directors for Albert A. Webb Associates, graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering. He holds triple registrations and/or licenses in Civil Engineering, Traffic Engineering, and Land Surveying, a distinction held by few in the State of California. Matt is also a Registered Civil Engineer in the States of Arizona and Nevada.
As an expert witness, Matt has testified on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Caltrans, San Bernardino Association of Governments, Western Municipal Water District, Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Sheffield Homes and numerous other private developers.

Aside from his experience and enthusiasm for civil engineering, traffic engineering, and land surveying, Matt also has extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of planning and environmental services and special assessment and tax issues, all of which have made him a highly sought after consultant representing both public and private clients throughout Southern California.

Matt is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, California Land Surveyors Association, and Monday Morning Group. He has served on the Board of the Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California, and he is currently serving on the Leonard Transportation Center Advisory Board at California State University, San Bernardino. 

His extensive experience and breadth of knowledge has afforded him the opportunity to speak at numerous conferences and programs and to serve as a Guest Lecturer for the University of California, Irvine and University of California, Los Angeles.

As an advocate for the Inland Empire, Matt spends much of his time representing the citizens of our region on a variety of issues related to transportation, the environment, planning, and civil engineering with local, state and national representatives.

With over 25 years of experience, Matt is an invaluable resource to his clients and to the community at large.

Mike Chrisman

California Secretary for Natural Resources

A fourth generation Californian and San Joaquin Valley resident, Mike Chrisman was named California Secretary for Natural Resources by Gov. Schwarzenegger in November 2003. As a member of the governor's cabinet, Secretary Chrisman serves as his chief advisor on issues related to the states' natural, historic, and cultural resources. He also chairs the California Ocean Protection Council, Sierra Nevada Conservancy and the Stewardship Council.

In leading the Natural Resources Agency, Secretary Chrisman oversees policies, activities, and a budget of $6.1 billion and 17,000 employees in 25 departments, commissions, boards and conservancies. The issues run the natural resources gamut from conservation, water, fish and game, forestry, parks, energy, coastal, marine and landscape.

Prior to his appointment, Secretary Chrisman served as Region Manager for Southern California Edison from 1996 to 2003. There he managed all phases of company and customer business, and the political and civic activities in Edison's San Joaquin Valley service area. He served as Undersecretary for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) from 1994 to 1996 during which time he provided leadership in the development and implementation of sound policy for the state's agricultural industry and consumers. Secretary Chrisman's lifelong commitment to family ranching proved invaluable in the development of policies to sustain the Central Valley's economy.

In 1997, Gov. Pete Wilson appointed Secretary Chrisman to the California Fish and Game Commission, where he also served as Chairman of the Wildlife Conservation Board. From 1991 to 1994 he served at the Natural Resources Agency as Deputy Secretary for Operations and Legislation in the Wilson Administration. From 1986 to 1991, Secretary Chrisman served as Chief of Staff to former Assemblyman Bill Jones, managing the Central Valley member's State Capitol and district offices and specializing in agriculture, water and environmental issues.

Throughout his career, Secretary Chrisman has been known as the 'go to' person to facilitate solutions for local and regional challenges. Often behind the scenes, he has been responsible for incalculable positive impacts throughout the region in many far-reaching ways. His commitment to the agriculture industry combined with his unwavering passion for protecting the state's natural resources, has established the foundation from which he has been able to provide bold and compassionate environmental leadership.

Secretary Chrisman holds a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and Plant Science from the University of Arizona. He is an owner and partner of Visalia's Chrisman Ranches, a family ranching and farming business in Tulare County.

He and his wife Barbara have two children and five grandchildren.

Marion Ashley

Riverside County Supervisor, Fifth District

Marion Ashley serves as the Fifth District Supervisor for Riverside County. Supervisor Ashley has served Riverside County for more than 30 years and enjoys a well-earned reputation for his forward-thinking leadership and his wide-ranging experience in business, local and regional government, education and community service.

Prior to his election in November 2002, Supervisor Ashley served as a director of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and as a board member and past president of the Eastern Municipal Water District, where he led efforts for more efficient operations and more equitable rates for water users.

He has dedicated more than 30 years of public service to Riverside County where he served as a member of the Perris Valley General Plan Steering Committee, Chairman of the Riverside County Planning Commission, Chairman of the Sun City-Menifee General Plan Steering Committee, member of the Riverside County Strategic Plan Steering Committee and as a member of the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission -- to name just a few organizations.

Supervisor Ashley is a Certified Public Accountant, former president of a real estate investment firm and past chairman of Valley Bank of Moreno Valley. He is a trustee of the UC Riverside Foundation and a trustee of the March Field Museum Foundation.

Stephen Pougnet

Mayor, City of Palm Springs

External Organizations 

• Chairman, Coachella Valley Assn. of Governments (CVAG) 
• Energy & Water Conservation Subcommittee
• Vice Chairman, CVAG Executive Committee
• Vice Chairman, CVAG Energy and Environment Committee
• Vice Chairman, Sunline Transit Agency
• Board Member, Palm Springs Desert Resort Convention and Visitors Authority
• Member, CVAG Transportation Committee                           
• Member, Riverside County Transportation Commission
• Member, Riverside County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee 

Boards, Commissions & Community Affiliations

• President, Mizell Senior Center
• Board Member, Valley Action Group
• Board Member, Palm Springs Art Museum
• Member, Advisory Committee, Palm Springs Unified School District
• Member, Citizens Oversight Committee, Palm Springs Unified School District
• Member, Desert Pride Center
• Member, Desert Women for Equality
• Honorary Co-Chairman, Palm Springs International Film Festival 
• Honorary Board Member, Western Coachella Valley Police Activities League
• Volunteer, United Way of the Desert
• Former Chairman, Palm Springs Citizens Community Development Block Grant Committee
• Former Board Member, Michigan State University Business School Alumni Association
• Former Member, Riverside County Community Action Partnership

City Council Subcommittees

• Sustainability
• College Of The Desert
• Convention Center Management Agreement
• Finance
• Special Events
• Tourism/Convention Center
• Jackie Lee Houston Plaza
• Desert Fashion Plaza
• Western Valley Leadership Group
• Issues of Interest
      • Downtown Revitalization
      • Sustainability - water, energy, waste, recycling    Public Safety
      • Youth and Senior Activities

Awards

• Desert Business Association Community Citizen Award, 2006 

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Business from Michigan State University-1985 

Business Experience

• Former Vice President, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO  
• Former Associate Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Michigan State University
• Former Associate Director, National Corporate Leadership Program, United Way of America

Hobbies

Running, biking, swimming, snowboarding, golfing and spending time with his partner, Christopher, and their children, Beckham and Julia.

Brian Thomas

Assistant General Manager/Chief Financial Officer, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Brian Thomas is the Assistant General Manager/Chief Financial Officer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He manages all of Metropolitan’s financial programs, including financial and capital planning, investments, debt management, the annual budget, and accounting operations and reporting. He is also responsible for developing and implementing Metropolitan’s water rates and charges. Thomas has participated in a wide range of water policy discussions and negotiations, ranging from the Colorado River to water markets and local conjunctive-use programs.

Since his appointment in 2000, Thomas has issued over $5.1 billion of debt, implemented Metropolitan’s interest rate swap and variable rate debt programs, and working with the General Manager and executive team, manages a $2.0 billion a year budget. Most recently, Thomas has been working with other major California water issuers on alternatives to traditional municipal standby bond purchase agreements as credit support for variable rate debt.

Thomas has worked in the power and water business for over 25 years, including experience at the cities of Anaheim and Riverside Public Utilities. He has Bachelors of Science degrees in Biology and Economics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Riverside.

Thomas lectures in economics and environmental science and policy at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; and California State University, Long Beach. Thomas authored and co-authored numerous articles on water and power planning and finance, and is a frequent speaker at professional conferences. 
 

Keith Solar

Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

With respect to water rights and water-related issues, Keith has extensive experience negotiating and documenting the purchase, sale or lease of adjudicated groundwater rights, groundwater, privately owned water systems, shares in mutual water companies, and public/private partnerships for municipal water systems. He also handles agreements for the manufacture and sale of membranes and spiral-wound elements for use in desalination facilities, and agreements regarding desalination facilities, including without-limitation agreements regarding the purchase of desalinated seawater, water transfer agreements, and agreements for the treatment of contaminated groundwater.

On behalf of public water clients, Keith has particular depth in the application of Proposition 218 to increases in water rates and charges and transfers of funds from water enterprise funds to general funds. He is also familiar with legislative requirements for written versifications and water supply assessments for proposed "subdivisions" and "projects," respectively.

On behalf of private water clients, Keith has particular experience, among other things, in analyzing the nature and priority of riparian, overlying, appropriative or prescriptive water rights that such clients are applying or attempting to apply to reasonable and beneficial use.

With respect to water or water-related issues, Keith has represented the City of Carlsbad, the City of Indio, the County of San Diego, the Indio Water Authority, the San Diego County Water Authority, Basin Water, Inc., James C. Roberts, Inc., Kaiser Ventures, Inc., Psomas Engineering, Pulte Homes, Inc./Del Webb, Rancon Real Estate, Sepro and Western Water Company.

In addition to water law, Keith has more than 20 years of experience in legal representation of companies and individuals engaged in the United States tuna industry, including the negotiation and documentation of: agreements for the purchase and sale of tuna purse seine vessels; bareboat charter agreements; vessel management agreements; joint venture agreements; and tuna fishing agreements between sellers of tuna and buyers engaged in the business of purchasing, processing and selling tuna. His experience extends to negotiations with representatives of foreign governments and/or financial institutions, such as those located in the Marshall Islands and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, in tuna-related matters.

Keith also has particular experience securing financing for companies and individuals who own tuna purse seine vessels. This experience includes negotiation and documentation of loans authorized under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 and obtained through the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service.
With respect to the tuna industry, Keith has represented: A&M Ventures, Inc., Andrea C. Fishing Corporation, David G. Burney, Chicken of the Sea International, Castagnola Fleet Management, Evelyn Da Rosa, Inc., FCF Fishery Company, Ltd., M&F Fishing, Inc., M/V Sea Quest, Inc., South Pacific Tuna Corporation and Tradition Mariner, Inc.

In regard to real estate and commercial matters, Keith has more than 20 years of experience in corporation and business formation planning, financing and credit transactions, joint ventures, partnerships, contracts, purchase and sale agreements, syndication, and private placements of securities. He also has more than 20 years experience in real estate purchases and sales, development, land use, mortgage financing and credit transactions.

Keith was a co-founder of Alhadeff & Solar, LLP, a San Diego and Inland Empire-based commercial law firm that combined with Buchanan in June of 2007.

In 2008, Keith was selected as a San Diego County Top Attorney 2008 and was featured in a special edition of The Daily Transcript, titled "Top Attorneys 2008." Also in 2008, Keith was nominated as a "Top Influential" by readers of San Diego's The Daily Transcript.

John Rossi

General Manager, Western Municipal Water District and Chairman of the Riverside County Water Task Force

As general manager of the Western Municipal Water District, John Rossi manages the 527-square mile water district. Mr. Rossi’s duties include responsibility for the planning, direction, and management of the water, wastewater, and non-potable water activities and operations of the District. Mr. Rossi is a court appointed Watermaster for the Santa Ana River and Western judgments. Western is a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) and the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG).

Mr. Rossi is the chairperson for the Riverside County Water Taskforce. He’s an alternate Board Member for the Board of Directors to the Chino Basin Watermaster. Mr. Rossi is a director on the California Special District Association’s Finance Corporation Board of Directors and a Board Member of the American Ground Water Trust. Mr. Rossi is the Vice Chair of the Association of California Water Agencies Ground Water Committee.

Prior to employment at the Western, Mr. Rossi was chief executive officer of the Chino Basin
Watermaster, and was responsible for the management of the 220-square mile groundwater basin. He was previously employed as the general manager for the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, a provider of retail water and wastewater service in southwest Riverside California.

He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Rancho California Water District in Temecula, California.

Michael Davis

Shareholder/Director, Gresham Savage Nolen and Tilden

Mr. Davis is experienced in business development, including the formation and representation of corporations, professional corporations, non-profit corporations, general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies and joint ventures; in real estate transactions, including real estate development, property / home / condominium owners associations, land use, organized real estate and water law; and, in business and real estate litigation, including eminent domain, water rights litigation and groundwater basin adjudication.

Charlie Wilson

Chairman, Southern California Water Committee

As a Director of the Santa Margarita Water District, Charley Wilson is an active and dynamic force in providing leadership to a customer base of more than 100,000 residents and businesses in Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch and Telaga. The Santa Margarita Water District is the second largest retail water agency in Orange County, which serves as the lifeline to the fastest growing area in Orange County and is responsible for supplying clean, affordable, reliable water and wastewater to a multi-million dollar economy.

Wilson most recently was elected as Chairman of the Southern California Water Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public education partnership between cities, counties, business, industry, agriculture and water agencies dedicated to securing adequate, reliable affordable, quality water for Southern California.
Wilson was also selected by the Special Districts of Orange County to serve as their alternate representative to the Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO). LAFCO is a state mandated local agency responsible primarily for establishing jurisdictional boundaries and forming new cities or districts.
 
Charley has been a  leading public affairs professional in Southern California for more than 25 years. Wilson has spent the past 18 years in the electric utility industry, with Southern California Edison, where he coordinates the development and implementation of strategic planning and communication efforts to align company interests with local, state and federal government officials and agencies.

Prior to joining Southern California Edison, he served as director of community and media affairs for State and U.S. Senator John Seymour.  He has also worked in sports radio and television with ABC, ESPN, and the Netherlands Broadcast Company.

A frequent lecturer and university level instructor, Wilson was invited to provide advanced political campaign and communications seminars to train candidates and political parties in Novosibirsk, Russia. Wilson has also hosted and produced “Orange County Outlook,” a locally produced television show highlighting current events, political debate and economic development activities in Orange County.

A graduate of UCLA, Charley earned his BA degree in political science with an emphasis in international relations and public administration. He has done some work toward an MA in organizational leadership at Chapman University.

Charley has been involved in several community activities including the Southern California Water Committee, Association of California Water Agencies, Southern California Public Affairs Association Advisory Board, Southern California Building Industry Association, Serra Catholic School’s Parent Advisory Board, Young Executives of America, the Orange County Public Affairs Association, Orange County Business Council, Mission Hospital Foundation, the Knights of Columbus, Constitutional Rights Foundation, Boy Scouts, YMCA, United Way, Red Cross, KOCE TV, Cystic Fibrosis, CORO, the Sigma Chi fraternity and the UCLA alumni association.

 Charley and his wife, Pam, live in South Orange County with their daughter. 

Eric Garner

Managing Partner, Best Best & Krieger; Chair, International Bar Association's Water Law Committee

As managing partner of Best Best and Krieger, Eric L. Garner oversees a firm with historic ties to Riverside that has grown into one of California’s largest legal practices with nearly 200 attorneys in eight offices across the state.

Since joining the firm in 1987, Garner has become one of the chief experts on water rights in California. He has litigated cases and negotiated key agreements involving major water bodies across the state, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the Mojave River, the Santa Ana River, and groundwater basins beneath Santa Maria, Chino, Monterey and the Antelope Valley.

Garner’s reach has been international, helping to craft water laws in South Africa, Trinidad and Pakistan. His two-year term as chair of the International Bar Association’s water law committee began on Jan. 1, 2009.

In 2006, Garner received the prestigious California Lawyer of the Year award from California Lawyer magazine for helping to settle a dispute among hundreds of farmers, ranchers and urban dwellers for the rights to the groundwater below Santa Maria, north of Santa Barbara.

As an author, Garner co-wrote California Water II, widely considered to be the essential guide to the history, law and policy guiding the state’s most precious resource.

Garner has been an adjunct professor of water law at the University of Southern California Law School and also has taught water law at UCLA and UC Riverside extension programs.

Michele Staples

Attorney, Jackson Demarco Tidus Peckenpaugh

Michele Staples is a shareholder in the law firm of Jackson DeMarco Tidus Peckenpaugh in Irvine, Calif.  Michele advises and represents landowners, agricultural businesses, developers and private water suppliers in the areas of water rights, water supply, CEQA, land use planning, due diligence, and entitlements. 

She has been representing private parties before the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, and the cities, water districts and courts in Riverside County for more than 18 years.  

Ron Gastelum

Vice Chair, Public Policy, LA Area Chamber of Commerce and Former CEO/GM of Metropolitan Water District.

Ronald R. Gastelum’s practice focuses on environmental, municipal, and corporate law, with a particular emphasis on water, waste management, and energy.  He has extensive experience in the public services and public infrastructure sectors, including a detailed understanding of the issues companies face with administrative and legislative processes, finance, strategic planning, permitting and public relations.

 Mr. Gastelum served as the Chief Executive Officer of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.  Mr. Gastelum was responsible for managing the operations of one of the largest water suppliers in the world with an annual budget of over $1 billion, serving the 18 million residents of urban Southern California.  He was notably successful in leading the agency to further diversify the region’s water supply sources with the development of new large water transfer, groundwater banking, reclaimed water, and conservation programs.  During his tenure as CEO, the agency accomplished a major restructuring of its management, adopted a new Strategic Plan with unprecedented public participation, updated its long term resources plan, completed a $2 billion dollar new reservoir, adopted a long term capital improvement and finance plan, and completed a major overhaul of its rate structure. 

After retiring from Metropolitan in December 2004, Mr. Gastelum has participated in the formation of a new Southern California energy supply company and is serving as Chairman of the Board.  He also served in an interim capacity as the Executive Vice President of the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce to provide leadership and management during the transition to a new CEO. In 2006, Mr. Gastelum served as Of Counsel to the Law Firm of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker.  Previously, he served as General Counsel for BKK Corporation, where he managed all environmental compliance matters, including extensive regulatory and legislative affairs in California and at the federal level.  Prior to 1982, Mr. Gastelum was a partner in the law firm of Ochoa & Sillas, a Deputy General Counsel for Metropolitan Water District, and a staff attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance and Denver Legal Aid.  

Mr. Gastelum received his J.D. from the UCLA School of Law in 1971, where he was the recipient of the HUD Urban Studies Fellowship.  He received his B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Whittier College.  He is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Children’s Museum, the Southern California Water Committee, Energy Choice, Inc., the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and is the Chair of the Board of Advisors for Falcon Water Free Technologies.  He is admitted to practice law in California.

Steve Winchester 

Group Leader, Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Group, Psomas Engineering

Steve Winchester, Psomas' Group Leader for our Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Group, has been key in bringing energy, critical mass and additional expertise to this Group over the past few years. This includes being instrumental in the merger of three water firms with Psomas as well as recruiting key senior staff with water and wastewater treatment process expertise.

He has nearly 30 years of experience, 17 years with Black & Veatch, an engineering company that's world renowned for its expertise in the Water/Wastewater business. His tenure there included helping to build their global platform through a series of mergers and acquisitions during which he lived in London and was responsible for staff in Europe, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Christopher Yu

Technical Director Water Division, Psomas Engineering

Dr. Christopher Yu has more than 30 years of domestic and international hands-on expertise in water treatment technology and process engineering. He has managed some of the most challenging and innovative water projects both in US and Asia.

During his career, Yu has been involved with the planning and design of water and wastewater treatment processes as well as management consulting for water and wastewater utilities. His areas of expertise include water quality investigation, process design, and project delivery and administration. He has directed a variety of environmental projects involving innovative treatment technologies and beneficial reuse of treatment residuals.

Prior to joining Psomas, Yu was West Region Technology Leader for Black & Veatch in the firm's Los Angeles Office. Prior to that, he was based in Hong Kong, where he was responsible for water-related marketing and business development and served as water technology director for B&V Water Asia.

A graduate of the University of Missouri with a PhD and MS in environmental engineering, of the University of Kansas with an MS in Environmental Health Engineering, and of National Taiwan University with a BS in Civil Engineering, Yu is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, and a registered professional engineer. 

Yu is based in Psomas' Costa Mesa office. Dr. Yu has over 32 years of environmental engineering responsibilities. His expertise is in water treatment technology and Process Engineering with a specialization in water quality investigation and drinking water treatment process design. Dr. Yu provides process oversight and treatment Process Engineering review as well as consultation for water treatment projects.

Roy Wilson

Riverside County Supervisor, Fourth District

Roy Wilson serves on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.  He was first elected to represent the 4th District in 1994 and was reelected to a fourth term in March, 2006.  The fourth district is the largest geographic region in the County, stretching from the Palm Springs area south to the Salton Sea and east to the Colorado River and the California/Arizona border.  The district covers more than 5,000 of the County's 7,300 square miles.

Prior to becoming a County Supervisor, Roy spent more than 33 years in higher education as an administrator and professor at California State University, Stanislaus (6 years) and College of the Desert (27 ½ years).  During more than 20 of those years at College of the Desert, Roy served in municipal government as a Planning Commissioner (3 years) and a City Council member (17 ½ years) for the City of Palm Desert.  He served four terms as Mayor of the city.

His civic duties also include 16 years as a governing board member for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman, 24 years on the Riverside County Transportation Commission, and 11 years on the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.  He is past President of the Salton Sea Authority and is past Chairman of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and the SunLine Transit Agency, and the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

In addition to civic duties, Roy has been active in professional journalism organizations, his teaching specialty.  He has served as President of the California/Arizona Journalism Association of Community Colleges and President of the national Community College Journalism Association.  In 1995, Roy was inducted into the Community College Journalism Association's Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.  Roy is the author of a textbook used throughout the United States and in Canada, which is now in its fifth edition.  Mass Media/Mass Culture, is published by McGraw-Hill, the largest publisher of textbooks in the world.  Because of time constraints imposed by his duties on the Board of Supervisors, Roy was joined for the development of the fourth and fifth editions by a co-author, his brother, a professor of Mass Communications and Journalism at California State University, Fresno.  Roy holds bachelor and master's degrees from California State Universities and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Southern California.

Among recent honors, Roy is the recipient of the 2006 Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association Distinguished Leadership by an Elected Official award, the 2006 Jefferson Award for Public Service, the 2006 Episcopal Community Services Spirit of the Desert award, the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce George V. Berkey, Sr. award, the 2001 Catholic Charities of San Bernardino/Riverside Good Samaritan award, the A. Gary Anderson Management Leader of the year (2001) award from the University of California, Riverside, and the 2002 Riverside Valley Group’s Excellence in Regional Government award. 

Kathleen Cole

Executive Legislative Representative, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Kathleen Cole, a resident of Sacramento, is one of two “in house” lobbyists registered to represent Metropolitan before the California Legislature and administrative agencies.   Beginning her employ in February of 1992, she worked her way up the ranks from Legislative Secretary to Assistant Legislative Representative, and ultimately, to Executive Legislative Representative.  In this capacity, she promotes and protects the policies adopted by Metropolitan’s Board of Directors which may be impacted by proposed laws and executive actions affecting water reliability and water quality for the Southern California water user community.

 Prior to joining Metropolitan, Ms. Cole served as a registered lobbyist and office manager for a private contract lobbying firm in Sacramento which specialized in local government issues.  She began her legislative career as Legislative Assistant for the East Bay Municipal Utility District, a water wholesaler/retailer providing supplies to the residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

 Preceding her legislative employment, Ms. Cole worked for a Sacramento law firm as a paralegal, specifically in domestic relations and probate law.

 Born in San Diego, California, Ms. Cole has an Associate of Arts degree from American River College in Sacramento and pursued a degree from California State University at Sacramento in Public Administration. 

Dave Luker

General Manager/Chief Engineer, Desert Water Agency

Dave Luker officially assumed the role of Desert Water Agency's General Manager-Chief Engineer as of October 1, 2004, having served as the Agency's Assistant General Manager since 1996.  He is the Agency's 5th general manager since it was formed in 1961.

Dave joined the Agency in 1993 as the Agency’s Operations Engineer after serving 13 years with Krieger & Stewart, a Riverside-based civil and environmental consulting firm, where he rose to the position of Vice President.  Earlier employment included Rancho California Water District.

Luker is a registered California civil engineer, a registered professional engineer in Oklahoma, and a licensed California land surveyor.

He is a member of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Water Works Association and the California Land Surveyors Association.

Dave Luker and his wife Pam are the parents of three daughters.

Adam Probolsky

Chairman, Probolsky Research

Probolsky Research LLC specializes in opinion research, with government, corporate and political practice areas. Our experience includes extensive work on issues relating to annexation, taxation, redevelopment, development, elections, community satisfaction, economic development, transportation, health care, conservation and rate structures.

Probolsky Research has developed a considerable depth of experience regarding water issues, having conducted numerous water and water-related issue research projects. Mr. Probolsky has been an invited guest speaker at the Orange County Water Summit, the Riverside County Water Symposium, the State of the Santa Ana Watershed Conference and the Southern California Water Committee, providing insight on regional resident attitudes of local water resources, issues and projects. Probolsky Research water-related clients include the Joshua Basin Water District, Victor Valley Water District, Orange County Water District, Municipal Water District of Orange County, Mesa Consolidated Water District, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, Newhall County Water District and the Yorba Linda Water District.

Probolsky Research services include focus groups, telephone surveys, field studies, mail surveys, executive level one-on-one interviews, online surveys and ridership surveys. We provide a breadth and depth of experience that allows for expert project design, implementation, analysis and presentation. Our clients include government agencies, corporations, associations, political action committees, media organizations, political parties and candidates.

Principal Adam D. Probolsky works directly with our clients and our clients’ consultants to develop comprehensive survey instruments and to provide analysis of the results, as well as to advise on strategy and implementation.

Steve Robbins

General Manager/Chief Engineer, Coachella Valley Water District

Steve Robbins is General Manager-Chief Engineer of the Coachella Valley Water District responsible for planning and supervising the daily operations of the district in one of the fastest growing regions of California.

He is responsible for the implementation short- and long-term water management and water conservation programs, policies and procedures; such as a 35-year blueprint to ensure affordable and reliable water sources for future generations.

Mr. Robbins is secretary-treasurer for the State Water Contractors and served as vice-chairman for Region 9 of the Association of California Water Agencies, helping resolve many long-standing Colorado River water issues and obtaining increases in district’s State Water Project entitlement.
A UCLA graduate, he joined the district as Domestic Water Engineer in 1978 then spent nearly nine years in the private sector before returning to the district in 1994 as assistant director of engineering.

Tony Pack

General Manager, Eastern Municipal Water District

Anthony J. Pack is General Manager of Eastern Municipal Water District where he has worked in a variety of leadership roles for the past 17 years.

Mr. Pack has served as president and vice president of the California Municipal Utilities Association, a statewide association of publicly owned utilities and currently serves as a board member of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority and the California Council for Excellence.

Before joining the District, Pack served 20 years with the U. S. Marine Corps in posts throughout the United States, Vietnam, Japan and the Middle East. While in his last position at Camp Pendleton, Mr. Pack held a position comparable to that of a city manager. In that capacity, his duties included responsibility for the base water supply, sewage collection and treatment, and the public works and engineering departments. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1990.

Pack earned his bachelor’s of arts degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

A decade after joining Eastern Municipal Water District as a project coordinator in 1990, Anthony J. Pack was appointed general manager effective Sept. 4, 2001. Prior to his latest appointment, he was deputy general manager of operations and administration.

EMWD is a water wholesaler and retailer, supplying water to about 560,000 customers in Riverside County and is one of 26 member agencies that form The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. EMWD also operates five regional wastewater reclamation facilities for about 190,000 sewer service connections, and is the fourth largest user of reclaimed water in California.

Mr. Pack has served as president and vice president of the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), a statewide association of publicly owned utilities and currently serves as a board member of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) and the California Council for Excellence (CCE).
Before joining the District, Pack served 20 years with the U. S. Marine Corps in posts throughout the United States, Vietnam, Japan and the Middle East. While in his last position at Camp Pendleton, Mr. Pack held a position comparable to that of a city manager. In that capacity, his duties included responsibility for the base water supply, sewage collection and treatment, and the public works and engineering departments. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1990.

Pack earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

He and his wife, Kelly, live in Fallbrook. They have two grown sons, two grandsons, with one more grandson on the way.  When away from the office, Pack can be found off the coast scuba diving or fishing.

Celeste Cantú

General Manager, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority

Celeste Cantú is the General Manager of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority. 
Ms. Cantú is no stranger to the Watershed region. As the former executive director of the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento, she has been a staunch supporter of SAWPA’s regional integrated planning and has encouraged other regions to follow SAWPA’s model.

Celeste is a native Californian, born and raised in Calexico. Ms. Cantú’s professional career reflects more than 28 years of public service and commitment to improving the quality of life in California.
She earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in urban planning from Yale University and is a graduate of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Bruce Davis

Vice President, Albert A. Webb & Associates

Bruce Davis is a Vice President and Market Leader at Albert A. Webb Associates.  Bruce’s in depth technical and professional experience with both public and private clients has allowed him to be successful in a number of complex and controversial projects over the last 20 years.  His unique ability to understand the civil engineering and planning needs of a project, coupled with his uncanny ability to mediate problems and find solutions with all constituents involved makes him a highly sought after consultant in the Inland region.

Bruce has served as the Principal-In-Charge for literally hundreds of planning, design, and regional infrastructure projects. He is an expert in water/wastewater facilities and has provided service to water agencies throughout the region on projects ranging from 25,000 to 6,000,000 gallon welded and bolted steel storage reservoirs, pressure reducing stations, metered turnouts, chlorination facilities,  sewer lift stations, gravity and force main sewer lines, and associated pipeline and infrastructure.

Actively involved and a leader in the CalWater Political Action Committee, Association of California Water Agencies, American Water Works Association, Inland County Water Association, Coachella Valley Economic Partnership,  and the League of California Cities, Bruce serves as an excellent resource to his clients on current legislation, issues and trends in our field.

Adan Ortega Jr.

California State Board of Food & Agriculture and Senior Communications Management Advisor, GCG Rose & Kindel

Adan Ortega, Jr. has devoted most of his twenty-year career as a senior government affairs executive in strategic communications.  In addition to other positions in the water industry, he recently served as Vice President for External Affairs of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.  He was also a Chief Deputy Secretary of State under California Secretary of State Bill Jones during the late 1990’s.  

Mr. Ortega has flexibly functioned as a chief administrative officer as well as a lobbyist and media spokesman.  He has successfully handled complex communications and lobbying challenges involving multi-state negotiations, large construction projects, elections, regional outreach plans and crisis management.  During the 10 years ending in 1994,  Mr. Ortega operated in 25 states and 60 U.S. and Canadian cities on behalf of his clients at The Dolphin Group, a public affairs firm.
 
In his current independent consulting capacity in affiliation with GCG Rose & Kindel, Mr. Ortega represents water agencies and teams with engineering and urban design firms on river restoration efforts in Los Angeles County.  In February 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Mr. Ortega to the California Board of Food and Agriculture.  In March 2005, Secretary of State Bruce McPherson appointed Mr. Ortega to his transition team.  Mr. Ortega leads as an officer of regional and state environmental groups such as Heal the Bay, and Audubon California.  He is also a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. 
 
From 1994 through 1997, Mr. Ortega quickly ascended to assistant general manager of the West Basin and Central Basin Municipal Water Districts in Los Angeles County.  In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Mr. Ortega assisted in the orchestration of efforts to gain federal funding for water recycling projects and in the development of Proposition 204 in 1996.  
 
Mr. Ortega has the unique ability to manage interventions simultaneously involving corporate communications, legislative affairs, news media relations, and local community affairs initiatives.  He is considered one of the most effective organizational crisis managers in California. 
 
Mr. Ortega is fully fluent in Spanish and pioneered early outreach efforts on nutrition and water quality in California Latino communities.  He is credited with creating the current momentum in California for outdoor water conservation through the multi-faceted promotion of “California Friendly” plants and efficient irrigation equipment in cities, new construction and homes developed for the family of Southern California water agencies. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Whittier College. 
 

Joe Walters

Recycled Water Manager, West Basin Municipal Water District

Joe Walters brings a diverse background to his role as Recycled Water Manager at West Basin Municipal Water District.  After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Indiana University, he began a career in Sales and Customer Service Management. 
 
JOE added an additional degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in Palm Desert leading to a position of General Manager of a public golf course.
 
JOE transitioned from the experience of “water user” to “water purveyor” analyzing operations and managing Customer Service at Dominguez Water Company in Carson, CA.
 
Later, JOE joined West Basin where his marketing and customer service skills have contributed to building a recycled water customer base of over 250 customers with more to come.