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.


Transparency &
Ethical Governance
The AWA values transparency and ethical decision-making. As a membership-based organization, we recognize that some of our members also serve on our Board of Directors. We believe this structure fosters strong connections between our leadership and the constituents we serve.
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
Board of Directors

Laura Hamman
AWA Secretary
Gills Onions

AWA 2025 ELECTIONS
March 6, 2025

Ann DeMartini
AWA Treasurer
Interim

Brian Brennen, Director
Casitas Municipal Water District

To Be Announced
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, President
Calleguas Municipal Water District

Natalie Yanez, Gov't Relations Manager
Southern California Edison

Susanne Cooper P.E., President
Member-at-Large
Jensen Design & Survey, Inc.

To Be Announced
City of Oxnard

Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, 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

Janice Parvin, Supervisor
Ventura County Board of Supervisors

Gregory J. Patterson, Attorney
Member-at-Large (Legislative Review)
Musick Peeler Garret LLP

Dee Zinke, Asst. General Manager
Member-at-Large
Metropolitan Water District

Fred Thomas, Mayor
City of Simi Valley

Pedro Chavez, Mayor
City Water Systems
City of Santa Paula

Danny Pereira, General Manager
Major Agricultural Water Systems
Rio Farms

Steve Huber, Director
United Water Conservation District

Jay Lewitt, President
Wastewater/Reclamation Operators
Las Virgenes MWD

Laura Hernandez, 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
To be announced
​
City of Simi Valley
Wanda Moyer, Deputy Public Works Director
​
City of Ventura
To be announced
​
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
To be announced
​
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Vianey Lopez, Supervisor, District 5
​
Wastewater / Reclamation Operators
To be announced
​
Member at Large (Utilities: Energy/Communication)
To be announced
​
Member at Large (Technology Research & Development)
To be announced​
​
Member at Large (Legislative)
Walter Wendelstein, Attorney, Wendelstein Law Group, PC
​
Member at Large
Diana Engle, PhD, Senior Scientist, Larry Walker Associates
​
​
Staff

Kelle L. Pistone
Managing Director

Michelle Johnson
Event Coordination and Special Programs