Association of California Water Agencies

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Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-4545
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ACWA Board Officers’ Election, Region Election Results Announced for the 2026-’27 Term

ACWA members have elected a new President, Vice President and region boards of directors for the 2026-’27 term, which begins Jan. 1, 2026.

Board Officers’ Election Results

Members of ACWA have elected Ernesto “Ernie” Avila, P.E., as President and Carol Lee Gonzales-Brady as Vice President.

Avila, who currently serves as ACWA’s Vice President, has served on the Contra Costa Board of Directors since 2016 and has been the Board President since 2022. He has also served two terms on the ACWA Region 5 Board and chaired ACWA’s Local Government Committee. Avila is a nationally recognized engineer, honored by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Multi-State Salinity Coalition for his leadership and contributions to the water profession. He brings more than 42 years of professional experience in planning, environmental compliance, regulation, design, and construction of water, wastewater, and recycled water works and municipal facilities. He has previously served as Director of Engineering at Contra Costa Water District and as General Manager of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.

Replacing Avila as Vice President, Gonzales-Brady has served on the Rancho California Water District Board of Directors since 2017, including two terms as Board President. Her professional experience spans federally regulated industries such as water and electric utilities. She currently is ACWA Vice Chair for Region 9 and was elected by the ACWA Board to serve on the Executive Committee. She is also on the Southern California Water Coalition Board of Trustees and the Urban Water Institute Board of Directors.

Region Election Results

Region 1

Chair: David Rabbitt, Director, Sonoma County Water Agency

Vice Chair: Ranjiv Khush, Director, Marin Municipal Water District

Board Members:

Region 2

Chair: Eric Larrabee, Director, Western Canal Water District

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

Board Members:

Region 3

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

Vice Chair: Larry McKenney, General Manager, Amador Water Agency

Board Members:

Region 4

Chair: Cary Keaten, General Manager, Solano Irrigation District

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

Board Members:

Region 5

Chair: Sarah Palmer, Director, Zone 7 Water Agency

Vice Chair: John Varela, Director, Santa Clara Valley Water District

Board Members:

Region 6

Chair: Sargeant Green, Director, Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District

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

Board Members:

Region 7

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

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

Board Members:

Region 8

Chair: Anthony R. Fellow, Director, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District

Vice Chair: Scott Quady, Director, Calleguas Municipal Water District

Board Members:

Region 9

Chair: Joseph Grindstaff, Director, Eastern Municipal Water District

Vice Chair: Paul Ortega, Board President, Desert Water Agency

Board Members:

Region 10

Chair: George Murdoch, Board President, East Orange County Water District

Vice Chair: Dana Friehauf, Director, Santa Fe Irrigation District

Board Members:

Questions

For detailed election results, visit acwa.com/elections.

For questions about the Board officers’ election, please contact ACWA Senior Clerk of the Board Donna Pangborn at (916) 669-2425.

For questions about the region elections, please call (916) 441-4545 or contact your ACWA regional affairs representative.

 

 

ACWA Launches Official YouTube Channel

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) is pleased to announce the launch of its official YouTube channel, a new platform designed to highlight the work of the association, member tools and the innovation and best practices of ACWA member agencies.

This initiative is part of ACWA’s Strategic Plan, which calls for the launch of a YouTube channel to demonstrate the forward-thinking work of ACWA members and underscores the value of ACWA membership.

The new channel will feature:

The channel is intended to serve as an accessible and informative resource for ACWA members, policymakers, and the broader public interested in California water policy and management.

ACWA members are encouraged to explore the new channel and subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@ACWAWater

Follow ACWA (@ACWAWater) across all its social media channels, including Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Questions

For questions about the YouTube channel or ACWA’s social media, please contact ACWA Communications Specialist Ellen Martin at (916) 669-2416.

 

ACWA Committee Appointment Process Underway for 2026-’27 Term

The committee appointment process is officially underway for the 2026-’27 term. Committee appointment information has been emailed to ACWA member agency general managers and board presidents.

To be considered for a committee appointment, a completed and signed Committee Consideration Form must be submitted via email to acwacommittees@acwa.com by Sept. 19. All consideration forms must be signed by an agency’s general manager or board president.

Information about each committee and ACWA’s appointment process is available at online.

Background

ACWA’s Committees are a great way to stay informed and engage in important issues. ACWA has 13 active committees that meet throughout the year, providing key technical, policy and organizational input to the ACWA Board of Directors. The committees bring together expertise and perspectives from across the state on key state and federal issues to help ACWA advocate for members in Sacramento and in Washington D.C.

In submitting names for consideration, please do so with the understanding that committees need active, involved individuals able to expend the time and provide their expertise, if appointed. Please keep in mind that the district is responsible for all costs associated with the participation of its representatives on ACWA Committees.

Questions

For questions about the process, please contact Senior Region and Member Engagement Specialist Ana Javaid at (916) 669-2442.

Virtual Town Hall Will Feature Candidates for ACWA President, Vice President

ACWA members can register now to watch the ACWA President and Vice President Candidates’ Town Hall being held virtually July 23 at 2 p.m. Official candidates running for the 2026-’27 term will share their statements and participate in a Q&A session.

ACWA members are encouraged to register online and may submit questions for the candidates at the time of registration or during the event.

More information about the ACWA President and Vice President candidates is available online.

How to Vote

Member agencies’ authorized voters will be receiving a ballot to vote for the ACWA President, Vice President and their region board on July 21. The ballot will include the names of all the qualified candidates and a separate space to write in the name of an eligible candidate. The ballots will be distributed from Simply Voting and must be returned by Sept. 19.

Questions

To learn more about the election, including information on candidates and how to vote, visit acwa.com/elections.

 

ACWA Accepting Applications for 2025 Fall Awards

ACWA will announce the following award recipients at its 2025 Fall Conference & Expo in San Diego, being held Dec. 2-4, and the deadline to apply for three of the awards is approaching.

Excellence in Innovation Award

This award recognizes successful innovations by member agencies that continue to support and drive California toward long-term water resilience. Sponsored by CDM Smith, the award recognizes groundbreaking and unique programs, projects, practices and/or technologies implemented by ACWA member agencies.

The winning agency and award finalists will share their innovations on a panel during ACWA’s Fall Conference & Expo. In addition, the winning agency will receive $5,000 to create a video highlighting their innovation.

Applicants for this award must submit the Excellence in Innovation Award entry form along with a typed narrative. Forms must be sent via email and received by Tuesday, Sept. 2. More information about this award is available on ACWA’s website.

Excellence in Communication Award

The Huell Howser Excellence in Communication Award honors outstanding public water agency efforts in communicating important information to customers, legislators, media, the public and others. The award focuses on projects and programs that quantifiably meet an agency’s public information, communications or outreach goals in an innovative way while making effective use of available resources.

More information about this award, including complete eligibility guidelines and the online application, is available on ACWA’s website. The application deadline is Sept. 2.

Emissary Award

The John P. Fraser Emissary Award honors individual ACWA member volunteers who have made remarkable and visible contributions to the enhancement, protection or development of water resources in California by participating in, supporting and advancing ACWA’s mission and goals.

More information about this award, including complete eligibility guidelines and the nomination form, is available on ACWA’s website. The nomination deadline is Sept. 2.

Outreach Awards

Throughout the year, ACWA asks its members to take action on important legislative and regulatory issues, helping create a coalition to directly affect the outcomes of numerous decisions and advance the association’s legislative and regulatory agenda. ACWA’s Outreach awards recognize the most active member agency in each region, as well as an overall winner and winners in three special outreach categories.

The awards for most active member agencies are based on a point system. To apply, submit your agency’s outreach interactions that are directly related to ACWA Alerts – including letters, faxes, emails, telephone calls or in-person contacts – by Oct. 1 using this online form. You may submit multiple forms if needed. Copies of letters should be emailed to outreach@acwa.com.

More information regarding regional and overall outreach awards is available on ACWA’s website.

ACWA member agencies can also apply for recognition in three additional special recognition categories.

Questions

For questions regarding the Excellence in Communication, Excellence in Innovation or Emissary awards, please contact ACWA Senior Communications Specialist Caroline Meade at (916) 669-2383.

For questions regarding the ACWA Outreach awards, please contact Senior Regional Affairs Representative Jennifer Rotz at (916) 669-2373.

June 20 Deadline Approaching to Declare Candidacy for ACWA President, Vice President, Region Boards

The deadline for ACWA members to submit paperwork to be a candidate for the association’s President, Vice President or Region Board Member for the 2026-’27 term is June 20. Agencies must also designate their voting representative by June 20. Below is a summary of how to become a candidate and how to vote in the 2026-’27 elections.

HOW TO BECOME A CANDIDATE

President and Vice President

Candidates for ACWA President and Vice President must be an elected or appointed director of an ACWA member agency and submit the following documents to donnap@acwa.com.

In addition to the above documents, you may also send resolutions of support. A sample resolution of support is available online.

An 11-member Election Committee has been appointed to facilitate the election of President and Vice President, including confirming that candidates’ eligibility criteria have been met, interviewing candidates and endorsing preferred candidates. More information about the committee is available online.

Region Boards

Each Region’s Call for Candidates packet is available at acwa.com/elections. Candidates interested in serving on one of ACWA’s 10 region boards must submit the following documents.

In addition to the required documents, candidates may submit a short biography and headshot that will be shared online.

The Nominating Committee for each region will select a recommended slate. More information about the committees is available online.

HOW TO VOTE

This year, the election process for officers and region boards is now combined. Voting for both sets of candidates will be done electronically by each member agency’s designated voter on a single ballot. Agencies can designate their voting representative now by visiting acwa.com/elections and submitting the Authorized Representative and Information Form by the June 20 deadline.

Questions

To learn more about both election processes, including key dates, visit acwa.com/elections.

 

 

Call for Candidates Opens for 2026-’27 ACWA President, Vice President, Region Boards

ACWA members interested in running to be the association’s President, Vice President or Region Board Member may submit the necessary paperwork now through June 20. Agencies must also designate their voting representative by June 20. Below is a summary of how to become a candidate and how to vote in the 2026-’27 elections.

HOW TO BECOME A CANDIDATE

President and Vice President

Candidates for ACWA President and Vice President must be an elected or appointed director of an ACWA member agency and submit the following documents to donnap@acwa.com.

In addition to the above documents, you may also send resolutions of support. A sample resolution of support is available online.

An 11-member Election Committee has been appointed to facilitate the election of President and Vice President, including confirming that candidates’ eligibility criteria have been met, interviewing candidates and endorsing preferred candidates. More information about the committee is available online.

Region Boards

Each Region’s Call for Candidates packet is available at acwa.com/elections. Candidates interested in serving on one of ACWA’s 10 region boards must submit the following documents.

In addition to the required documents, candidates may submit a short biography and headshot that will be shared online.

The Nominating Committee for each region will select a recommended slate. More information about the committees is available online.

HOW TO VOTE

This year, the election process for officers and region boards is now combined. Voting for both sets of candidates will be done electronically by each member agency’s designated voter on a single ballot. Agencies can designate their voting representative now by visiting acwa.com/elections and submitting the Authorized Representative and Information Form by the June 20 deadline.

Questions

To learn more about both election processes, including key dates, visit acwa.com/elections.

 

‘2024 Year in Review’ Available

ACWA’s “2024 Year in Review” publication is now available to read and download online. Member agencies will also be receiving a printed copy next week.

The annual publication outlines ACWA’s advocacy wins, awards and services provided to members, as well as events and statistics on association activity during the previous year.

Read all about the big wins and tough challenges we saw this year in the “2024 Year in Review” by downloading the complete document on the ACWA website at acwa.com/resources.

ACWA Kicks off Election Process for 2026-’27 President, Vice President, Region Boards

ACWA has launched the election process for the 2026-’27 term for President, Vice President, and region board members. This year, the election process for officers and region boards is now combined. Voting for both sets of candidates will be done electronically by each member agency’s designated voter on a single ballot. Agencies can designate their voting representative now by visiting acwa.com/elections and submitting the Authorized Representative and Information Form by the June 20 deadline.

ACWA will issue an official call for candidates for President, Vice President and region boards on April 21. All candidates will have until June 20 to submit necessary documents to be eligible. Voting will take place electronically July 21 – Sept. 19 and ballots will include all qualified candidates for President, Vice President and region board members. Voting members will need to submit their ballots by 5 p.m. on Sept. 19. The winners of the election will be announced by the end of September.

An Election Committee has been appointed to facilitate the election of the President and Vice President, including confirming that candidates’ eligibility criteria have been met and endorsing preferred candidates. The 11-member committee includes one representative appointed by the current ACWA President and 10 region representatives appointed by each of the region boards.

Nominating Committees have also been appointed for each region to pursue qualified member candidates to run for the region boards. The Nominating Committee is appointed by the region chair in concurrence with the region board during odd-numbered years. The Nominating Committee will select a recommended slate for each region.

The appointed committee members can be viewed online at acwa.com/elections.

Questions

To learn more about both election processes, including key dates, visit acwa.com/elections.

 

Participate in National Groundwater Awareness Week March 9-15

ACWA encourages member agencies to participate in National Groundwater Awareness Week March 9-15 to raise public awareness of groundwater as a vital resource.

Established by the National Groundwater Association (NGWA) in 1999, this event provides a weeklong opportunity for water agencies to showcase the extensive efforts across California to manage groundwater sustainability.

Suggested outreach tactics include:

Resources/Toolkit items:

Sample Social Media Posts

The following sample social media posts can be customized to your agency with links to resources listed above or to information about groundwater on your agency’s website. To help ensure the issue trends across social media channels, use the hashtags #GWAW, #cawater, #groundwater, #cagroundwater and #sgma.

Background

Groundwater Awareness Week is an annual observance established in 1999 to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. It is also a platform to encourage yearly water well testing and well maintenance, and the promotion of policies impacting groundwater quality and supply.

Groundwater advocates across the country also use the week to highlight local water issues in their communities.

Questions

For more information, visit the NGWA website or contact ACWA Communications Specialist

Will Holbert at (916) 669-2437.