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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.

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Join Us

Our resolution is to further the AWA mission ... to advance awareness on critical water issues, increase outreach for collaboration, serve as a resource to our local water industry, and keep our water communities connected.

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AWA offers a wide array of informative meetings and events.

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.)

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Regular meetings and special events are held to disseminate information, and encourage discussion and innovative solutions to water issues facing Ventura County.

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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

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Ann DeMartini

AWA President

DeMartini Enterprises

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Susanne Cooper

AWA President Elect

Jensen Design & Survey, Inc.

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Gregory J. Patterson

AWA Vice President

Musick Peeler Garret LLP

Board of Directors

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Laura Hamman

AWA Secretary

Gills Onions

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AWA 2025 ELECTIONS

March 6, 2025

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Ann DeMartini

AWA Treasurer

Interim

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Brian Brennen, Director

Casitas Municipal Water District

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To Be Announced

City of Thousand Oaks

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Bruce Keubler, Director

Independent County Water Districts

Ventura River Water District

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Laura Hamman, Sustainability Manager

Major Industrial Water User

Gills Onions

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Raul Avila, President

Calleguas Municipal Water District

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Natalie Yanez, Gov't Relations Manager

Southern California Edison

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Susanne Cooper P.E., President

Member-at-Large

Jensen Design & Survey, Inc.

Image by Alex Perez

To Be Announced

City of Oxnard

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Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, Mayor

City of Ventura

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Henry Molina, Production Operations Supervisor

Investor Owned Water Companies

California American Water

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Ann DeMartini, President

Mutual Water Companies

DeMartini Enterprises, LLC

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Janice Parvin, Supervisor

Ventura County Board of Supervisors

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Gregory J. Patterson, Attorney

Member-at-Large (Legislative Review)

Musick Peeler Garret LLP

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Dee Zinke, Asst. General Manager

Member-at-Large

Metropolitan Water District

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Fred Thomas, Mayor

City of Simi Valley

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Pedro Chavez, Mayor

City Water Systems

City of Santa Paula

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Danny Pereira, General Manager

Major Agricultural Water Systems

Rio Farms

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Steve Huber, Director

United Water Conservation District

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Jay Lewitt, President

Wastewater/Reclamation Operators

Las Virgenes MWD

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Laura Hernandez, Council Member

Member-at-Large

Port Hueneme Water Agency

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Scott Meckstroth, P.E.

Member-at-Large (AWA Committe)

AWA Water Symposium Chair

Alternate Directors

​Calleguas Municipal Water District

Tibault Robert, Director

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Casitas Municipal Water District

Pete Kaiser, Director

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City of Oxnard

To be announced

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City of Simi Valley

Wanda Moyer, Deputy Public Works Director

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City of Ventura

To be announced

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City Water Systems

David Tennessen, Councilmember, City of Camarillo

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Independent County Water Systems

Jared Bouchard, General Manager, Pleasant Valley County Water

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Investor-Owned Water Companies

Scott Rigg, MPA Ops Supervisor, Golden State Water

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Major Agriculture Water Systems

Will Pidduck, Farmer​, Finch Farms LLC

Major Industrial Water User

Steve Gill, President, Gills Onions

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Mutual Water Companies

Barney Caudill, General Manager, Farmers Irrigation Co.

 

United Water Conservation District

To be announced

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Ventura County Board of Supervisors

Vianey Lopez, Supervisor, District 5

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Wastewater / Reclamation Operators

To be announced

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Member at Large (Utilities: Energy/Communication)

To be announced

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Member at Large (Technology Research & Development)

To be announced​

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Member at Large (Legislative)

Walter Wendelstein, Attorney, Wendelstein Law Group, PC

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Member at Large

Diana Engle, PhD, Senior Scientist, Larry Walker Associates

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Staff

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Kelle L. Pistone

Managing Director

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Michelle Johnson

Event Coordination and Special Programs

Water Drops

WATER:  Education - Outreach - Cooperation - Collaboration

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© 2024 Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County

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