Tag Archive for: Paulina Martinez-Perez

Sweetwater Authority hosted a group of students and faculty from Stanford University for a tour and discussion of issues related to climate change and water in California. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Sweetwater Authority Hosts Stanford University Students and Faculty

Sweetwater Authority (Authority) recently welcomed fifteen students and faculty from Stanford University’s The Bill Lane Center for the American West. Group members are part of the university’s multidisciplinary course of study on “Coastal Resilience: Problems and Solutions to Extreme Weather Challenges on the West Coast.”

The Bill Lane Center for the American West is dedicated to advancing scholarly and public understanding of the past, present, and future of western North America. The Center supports research, teaching, and reporting about Western land and life in the United States.

The Stanford University group visited the Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant and Sweetwater Reservoir, as well as the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility in Chula Vista. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The Stanford University group visited the Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant and Sweetwater Reservoir, as well as the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility in Chula Vista. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The students and faculty first toured the Robert A. Perdue Water Treatment Plant and Sweetwater Reservoir, where they learned how the Authority secures and treats local water, maintains a historic dam, and manages watershed activities for the beneficial use of agency operations and the protection of environmental resources.

The group then visited the Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility in Chula Vista. There, the students and Authority representatives discussed challenges facing groundwater supplies due to climate change before touring the award-winning facility.

Collaboration Addresses Challenges of Climate Change

“It was our honor to host the Stanford group and engage in these important discussions with the next generation of leaders," said Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

“It was our honor to host the Stanford group and engage in these important discussions with the next generation of leaders,” said Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

“The challenges presented by climate change as it relates to providing a sustainable and drought-proof water supply are great, and we need the brightest minds working to ensure long-term resilience for the western region,” said Authority Board Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez.

In its vision to become a leader in sustainability and the fight against climate change, the Authority’s Governing Board sets objectives within the agency’s Strategic Plan to work toward achieving carbon neutrality.

Current fiscal year objectives include implementing a Green Fleet Plan, installing EV stations at its facilities, and exploring green energy solutions like a proposed floating solar project at Sweetwater Reservoir to reduce costs and offset carbon generated as part of water agency operations. For more information, visit www.sweetwater.org/workplan.

 

Jose Lopez (L) has been appointed president of the Otay Water District for 2024; Paulina Martinez-Perez (R) has been appointed board president of Sweetwater Authority for 2024. Photos: Otay Water District and Sweetwater Authority

New Leadership at South Bay Water Agencies in 2024

The Otay Water District and the Sweetwater Authority start 2024 with new officers to lead their respective boards of directors.

Lopez elected President of Otay Water District Board

(L to R) Board President Jose Lopez, Vice President Ryan Keyes, Treasuer Mark Robak. Photo: Otay Water District new leadership

(L to R) Board President Jose Lopez, Vice President Ryan Keyes, Treasuer Mark Robak. Photo: Otay Water District

The Otay Water District board elected director Jose Lopez, who represents division four, as president.

Lopez’s election as president follows one year of board leadership under past president Mark Robak. Lopez will serve a one-year term through January 2025. He has been a board member since December 2020. He also served on the Otay WD board from 2001 to 2016.

“I am honored and humbled by the trust that my fellow water board members place in me by electing me as president. Serving our customers in this role is a responsibility I take seriously,” says Lopez.

“As we embark on this journey together, my focus will be on fostering collaboration, transparency, and sustainable water management practices. Our community’s access to high-quality and reliable water is of utmost importance, and I am committed to working diligently to ensure the continued well-being of our residents. I look forward to building upon the solid foundation laid by my predecessors and collaborating with our dedicated board and staff to address the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Lopez experience in multiple assignments

In 2023, Lopez served as vice president of the board. He also served on the district’s engineering, operations, water resources, desalination project, and ad hoc legal services committees. He also represents the district at various local organizations and task forces including the OWD and Sweetwater Authority Task Force to develop recycled water opportunities, Water Conservation Garden Authority, and South County Economic Development Council.

Lopez also previously held the position of treasurer in 2004, 2021, and 2022. Also, during his tenure on the Otay board from 2001 to 2016, he served as president of the board in 2002, 2005, and 2012 to 2015. He also served as vice president from 2006 to 2010, and 2016.

Lopez retired as an Assistant Fire Marshal from the San Diego Fire Department in 2011. He also served on the San Diego County Water Authority board from 2002 to 2003. He has an Associate of Science in Fire Science/Fire Suppression from San Diego Miramar College and attended the University of California, San Diego. He lives in Chula Vista.

The board also elected board member Ryan Keyes, serving division two, as vice president, and Mark Robak, serving division five, as treasurer.

The five-member board of directors is the governing body of the Otay Water District and is responsible for setting rates for service, taxes, policies, ordinances, adopting the annual budget and other matters related to the management and operation of the agency.

Martinez-Perez Elected Board Chair of Sweetwater Authority Board

The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board elected Paulina Martinez-Perez as Board Chair and Director Hector Martinez as Vice Chair for the 2024 term. Photo: Sweetwater Authority new leadership

The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board elected Paulina Martinez-Perez as Board Chair and Director Hector Martinez as Vice Chair for the 2024 term. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board elected Paulina Martinez-Perez as Board Chair and Director Hector Martinez as Vice Chair for the 2024 term. Martinez-Perez has served on the Board since 2020 and Martinez has served since 2018.

Martinez-Perez and Martinez will engage in an all-day Strategic Plan Workshop along with the entire Authority Board and department heads to evaluate the progress of the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Work Plan initiatives, and set goals and priorities for the next fiscal year.

“We have a busy year ahead working to advance the policies, plans and programs that make the Authority a premier water agency,” said Martinez-Perez. “I’m honored to serve as Chair during this exciting time, and to work together with the Board to ensure we maintain a safe and reliable water supply for our current and future customers.”

The Sweetwater Authority Board also adopted Resolution 23-23, adjusting the Authority Board Meeting times to 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board is composed of five directors elected by division by the citizens of the district, and two directors appointed by the Mayor of National City, subject to City Council confirmation.

At its December 2023 meeting, the South Bay Irrigation District Board of Directors also appointed new officers for the 2024 term. Director Manny Delgado will serve as President and Director Josie Calderon-Scott as Vice President. SBID meetings will now be held at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.

 

 

Sweetwater Authority Governing Board Welcomes New Leaders

Chula Vista, Calif. – At the December 8 Sweetwater Authority Governing Board meeting, new leadership was appointed for the 2022 term.

The Governing Board appointed Alejandra Sotelo-Solis as Board Chair and Paulina Martinez-Perez as Vice Chair.

“It is an honor to have been elected as chair to help lead this body alongside Vice Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez,” said Chair Sotelo-Solis. “This is the first time in history at Sweetwater Authority that two Latina women are in side-byside executive leadership positions and I’m looking forward to continue working to address our district’s water needs, conservation efforts and helping to address the needs that COVID-19 has posed for our rate payers. We are stronger together.”

Paulina Martinez-Perez

Sweetwater Authority Vice Chair Paulina Martinez-Perez. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Alejandra Sotelo-Solis

Sweetwater Authority Board Chair Alejandra Sotelo-Solis. Photo: Sweetwater Authority