About the AWA
Our Mission
Our mission is to develop and encourage cooperation among entities for the development, protection, conservation and improvement of the total water resources for Ventura County.
Who We Are
The Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County (AWA) was formed in 1976 to provide a forum for the exchange of information on local and regional water issues. AWA is governed by an 21-member board of directors comprised of leaders representing various water related entities in our region (agriculture, municipalities, water purveyors, small systems, industrial water users, private business, concerned citizens, students, etc.)
Regular meetings and special events are held to disseminate information, and encourage discussion and innovative solutions to water issues facing Ventura County.
Executive Officers
Ann DeMartini
AWA President
DeMartini Enterprises
Susanne Cooper
AWA President Elect
Jensen Design & Survey, Inc.
Gregory J. Patterson
AWA Vice President
Musick Peeler Garret LLP
Sheldon Berger
AWA Treasurer
United Water Conservation District
Laura Hamman
AWA Secretary
Gills Onions
Board of Directors
Brian Brennen, Director
Casitas Municipal Water District
Kevin McNamee, Councilmember
City of Thousand Oaks
Bruce Keubler, Director
Independent County Water Districts
Ventura River Water District
Laura Hamman, Sustainability Manager
Major Industrial Water User
Gills Onions
Raul Avila, Director
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Andrew Thomas, Gov't Relations Manager
Southern California Edison
Susanne Cooper P.E., President
Member-at-Large
Jensen Design & Survey, Inc.
Bryan MacDonald, Mayor Pro-Tem
City of Oxnard
Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, Dep. Mayor
City of Ventura
Henry Molina, Production Operations Supervisor
Investor Owned Water Companies
California American Water
Ann DeMartini, President
Mutual Water Companies
DeMartini Enterprises, LLC
AWA President
Janice Parvin, Supervisor
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Gregory J. Patterson, Attorney
Member-at-Large (Legislative Review)
Musick Peeler Garret LLP
Adel Hagekhalil, General Manager
Member-at-Large
Metropolitan Water District
Fred Thomas, Mayor
City of Simi Valley
Pedro Chavez, Councilmember
City Water Systems
City of Santa Paula
Danny Pereira, General Manager
Major Agricultural Water Systems
Rio Farms
Sheldon Berger, Vice President
United Water Conservation District
Jay Lewitt, President
Wastewater/Reclamation Operators
Las Virgenes MWD
Bobby Martinez, Council Member
Member-at-Large
Port Hueneme Water Agency
Scott Meckstroth, P.E.
Member-at-Large (AWA Committe)
AWA Water Symposium Chair
Alternate Directors
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Tibault Robert, Director
Casitas Municipal Water District
Pete Kaiser, Director
City of Oxnard
John Zaragoza, Mayor
City of Simi Valley
Wanda Moyer, Deputy Public Works Director
City of Ventura
Joe Schroeder, Mayor
City Water Systems
David Tennessen, Councilmember, City of Camarillo
Independent County Water Systems
Jared Bouchard, General Manager, Pleasant Valley County Water
Investor-Owned Water Companies
Scott Rigg, MPA Ops Supervisor, Golden State Water
Major Agriculture Water Systems
Will Pidduck, Farmer, Finch Farms LLC
Major Industrial Water User
Steve Gill, President, Gills Onions
Mutual Water Companies
Barney Caudill, General Manager, Farmers Irrigation Co.
United Water Conservation District
Steve Hueber, Board Director
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Vianey Lopez, Supervisor, District 5
Wastewater / Reclamation Operators
Tony Spayd, Municipal Services Director
Member at Large (Utilities: Energy/Communication)
Ryan Adams, President, Geo-Links
Member at Large (Technology Research & Development)
City of Port Hueneme
Laura Hernandez, Council Member
Member at Large (Legislative)
Walter Wendelstein, Attorney, Wendelstein Law Group, PC
Member at Large
Diana Engle, PhD, Senior Scientist, Larry Walker Associates
Member at Large
Dee Zinke, Assistant General Manager, Metropolitan Water District
Staff
Kelle L. Pistone
Managing Director
Michelle Johnson
Event Coordination and Special Programs